Historic Sevenoaks mansion restored to its former glory by PegasusLife

EXCITEMENT is mounting as the date approaches of the official launch of a new development at Wildernesse House, the historic Grade II listed mansion in the prestigious Wildernesse Avenue that runs between Sevenoaks and Seal.

For the past few months it has been possible to view the show homes at what is to be an exclusive over-60s luxury retirement development and soon, selected guests and other interested parties will be able to take a tour of this beautiful estate.

Wildernesse House and its surrounding parkland has been sympathetically converted by specialist developer PegasusLife in conjunction with Purcell Architects who have repaired fittings, uncovered original features and protected external stonework to restore the house and its impressive grounds to their former glory.

Most locals will remember the beautiful property and grounds as Dorton House, the school for the visually impaired which was run by the Royal London Society for Blind People (RLSB) until its closure in 2013. The building then remained empty for some years until it was purchased by PegasusLife. The RLSB originally took over the estate in 1954 and renamed it Dorton House after the Society’s previous home in a Grade 1 listed Jacobean Mansion in Dorton, Buckinghamshire.

A family home was first built on the Wildernesse site more than 300 years ago. This was later replaced and then enlarged in 1884 after which it was purchased by Charles Henry Mills of Hillingdon who later became Baron Hillingdon. He became a generous local philanthropist who donated to a number of local good causes and charities. He also gave the recreation ground and village hall to Seal village. The nearby Hillingdon Estate in Sevenoaks is also named after him.

In 1890 he founded a golf course which was to become the Wildernesse Club we know today. The house and the estate were sold in 1923 and became a country club which was also originally used as the clubhouse for Wildernesse golfers until it was eventually purchased by the RLSB who turned it into the school for the blind.

The redevelopment now consists of a collection of 23 apartments including four Legacy Apartments on the ground floor, and eight two-bedroom newly built mews houses.

The magnificent grand central staircase is the centrepiece of Wildernesse House in the main hall which will offer residents a relaxed and elegant lounge space where they can socialise, partake of drinks from the honesty bar, or enjoy a book from the library.

On the lower ground floor of the main house, where the wellness suite and spa with lap pool, gym, sauna, steam room exercise studio and beauty treatments rooms are located. There will also be a restaurant, 24-hour concierge, and tennis court.

These amenities are available to residents and their guests – guest rooms will also be available in the house.

Prices for the Wildernesse House apartments start from £649,950 (Mews Houses), and £925,000 (the Main House).