The 18th Century Thames Riverside Home from 'Madeline in London'
Address: Lower Mall, Hammersmith, London, W6 9DJ
This property is listed for £7,950,000 by Christopher Bramwell and Fran Moynihan of Savills.
In 18th century London, the ‘Beach House’ was just a boathouse on the Thames river’s edge in Hammersmith, a charming suburb in West London. In 1760, an elegant Georgian home was built on the site, incorporating the boathouse into the lower-ground floor of the property. The property still has a dock for private mooring for a boat right on the riverbank.
With the addition of the walkway of the Lower Mall on the banks of the river, the property is situated on what is considered Hammersmith’s best street, with a walkout directly on to the towpath. Today, the area is known for its bars, restaurants and pavement cafes along the riverside (the famous River Cafe is just across the Thames).
The six bedroom home features elegant riverside rooms with views towards Hammersmith Bridge, London's oldest suspension bridge. This iconic property was featured in an illustration in the 1961 classic, Madeline in London, and reveals how little has changed on the River Thames in the last 60 years.
Ludwig Bemelmans, "But in London There’s A Place to Get A Retired Horse To Keep as a Pet," from Madeline in London (1961), featuring the Beach House. This print is one of a number of original artworks from the Madeline series sold at auction at Sotheby’s New York in 2015. It sold for $30,000.
Many original features in this unique home have been preserved, including the flagstone floors of the boathouse and the flooring throughout, as well as the banisters, windows, and architraves.
Today, Beach House offers the charm of a country home in the heart of London’s West end. There is a private 40-metre walled garden behind the home, landscaped with a tropical influence with two distinct spaces. There is a ‘Peter Pan area’ for children, with a tree house, zip line and swing, and, separated by a stretch of green lawn, an adults area with a private patio and hot tub. Beyond the garden, a secure gated parking space is accessible via Rutland Grove.