Marama

Making its entrance, Marama offers an immediate sense of relaxed grandeur. With floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows, there’s an easy, breezy flow between inside and out. The property’s modern mid-century influences extend from West Coast-sourced materials to bespoke pieces that reflect the owners’ travels.

Ideal for larger groups, the house has six comfortable en-suite bedrooms. In the master, you’ll find an emperor-size bed and designer lighting. Marama’s uniquely secluded setting means that if you choose, you could even leave the panoramic windows wide to the world and wake with the sunrise each morning. Alongside this, there are two large king-size bedrooms upstairs and two guest rooms downstairs (one with twin beds, the other a king), while a sixth double bedroom in the guest extension has private access to the pool and gym.

With wellness at its heart, Marama offers fantastic opportunities to feel your best. Working out becomes easy with your own gym, equipped with a Peloton bike, treadmill, weights, kettlebell and wall Pilates machine. There’s also a pool house – with a steam room and spa area opening onto the outdoor swimming pool (available from mid-April to the end of October) – and a hot tub and sauna.

But laid-back living also means plenty of downtime. As the day draws to a close, you could settle in the snug television area with a film, or sip a cool drink from the drawing room bar. The pool house also has a large television and Sonos sound system, as well as a dedicated games room, offering scope for group table tennis and table football tournaments. Underfloor heating throughout the house means you’ll always be cosy and comfortable.

And, if you’re entertaining, there’s a kitchen in which to do your dishes justice. Open plan, with a picturesque view of the pond, this space contains everything from two ovens and a double fridge to a wine fridge, Nutribullet, Magimix and Sage espresso coffee machine. Serve with style in the dining room, which features mid-century-style plush chairs and a chandelier. Here, wide doors lead onto a garden seating area, making it easy for after-dinner drinks to flow outside.

With 14 acres surrounding Marama, this natural expanse is yours to enjoy. Its absolute privacy (with a secure front gate and a second leading onto woodland) means you’re only likely to encounter deer and pheasants, accompanied by the ambient soundtrack of hummingbirds. To really soak in the atmosphere, the large modern fire pit has seating for 12 and beautiful south facing views that encourage you to stay awhile.

A gentle stroll around the grounds will also take in a large pond, croquet lawn, cricket area and trampoline, along with an outdoor kitchen for al fresco snacks and suppers. Beside the pool, a solid bronze sculpture, created by South Africa’s Marieke Prinsloo Rowe, stands as a proud testament to peace and tranquillity.

Deceptively near London but worlds apart where it matters, Marama is a stylish and modern escape from the city. With so much to offer, it’s ideal for older families (including dogs) and entertaining, but equally suited to those seeking sanctuary in the countryside. This is pure luxury, inside and out.