Mary Berry, the renowned chef, TV presenter, and former Great British Bake Off judge, has put her former residence in Penn, Buckinghamshire, on the market for £3.5 million.
This Grade II-listed property was Mary Berry's home for over three decades and served as the backdrop for several of her cookery shows, including "Mary Berry Cooks."
Mary Berry and her husband, Paul Hunnings, had originally lived in Penn and acquired Watercroft, the property in question, from a neighbor named Joan in 1988. In her autobiography, Berry mentioned, "We effectively swapped houses," and added that it was a civil way to relocate, allowing them to help each other address the usual challenges associated with new homes.
After 31 years, the couple downsized to Henley in 2019, selling Watercroft to its current owners for £2.4 million, along with £600,000 for Watercroft Cottage.
Watercroft is a six-bedroom village house with origins dating back to the Queen Anne era. Spread over three floors, with an additional cellar, the property features a formal reception room, drawing room, dining room, family room, and, of course, Berry's iconic kitchen, along with an extra prep kitchen.
Mary Berry's well-photographed Aga stove takes center stage in the kitchen, which is equipped with luxurious units, granite countertops, and a spacious walk-in refrigerated larder. Berry once described the Aga as "the heart of the kitchen" in a Country Life interview, emphasizing the appliance's special place in her home.
The six bedrooms are located on the upper floors, accessible via two separate staircases. The principal bedroom, originally two rooms, boasts fitted wardrobes, a generous ensuite, and leads to two curved balconies overlooking the garden.
In total, the property comprises 9,008 square feet and sits on over four acres of land, featuring a natural pond, an all-weather tennis court, and vegetable and herb gardens. Watercroft Cottage, a 990-square-foot structure, offers self-contained living space with two additional bedrooms. The Coach House, constructed from brick and flint, has been converted into supplementary accommodation.
Watercroft's numerous outbuildings, such as an orangery with a potting shed, storage spaces, greenhouses, garages, and an office, make it a dream for gardening enthusiasts.
After Berry and Hunnings moved out, the Patten family, previous residents of Penn, became the new homeowners. Berry even hosted a welcome party for the Pattens, giving them some of her Aga cookery books and occasionally dropping by for tea.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Pattens are now selling the property. They also secured planning permission for an open-air swimming pool, garden walls and fences, and the construction of a detached garage with a games room, providing potential for further development.
Ben Dommett at Savills described Watercroft as having character, charm, and captivating period and historical features, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a period family home in the heart of a village with breathtaking views. Photo by Rinkydinkpanther, Wikimedia commons.