"Edwardian opulence monument erected by the prosperous Pinewood Studios founder"
Charlie Boot's Mazing Mansion: A Step into Edwardian Excess
Ah, those dapper industrialists of yore! Boy, could they build a swanky pad, especially during the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras. Frankly, I'd be stumped on what to do if ol' dollar bills fell from the sky like rain, but I'd sure as hell not splash 'em all on a blimmin' mansion in the Peak National Park. Grand Designs has shown me that the journey's a stressful one.
But, hey, who am I to knock somebody elses dream home? Enter Bents House, a jewel up for grabs at Carter Jonas, priced at a cool £2.75 million. With six behemoth bedrooms and five spick-and-span bathrooms, this buddy's practically a friggin' palace. Three lavish acres of gardens and grounds come along for the ride too.
Now, back to Charlie Boot. This dude was the spawn of Henry Boot, a chap who banked a tidy fortune in construction. Once upon a time, Charlie took a fancy to Bents House in 1930, building it as lavishly as the times deemed fit—think a monument to Edwardian excess, mate! A year later, he dove headfirst into the world of cinema, purchasing Heatherden Hall and converting it into Pinewood Studios, the iconic film studio renowned for hosting classics like the James Bond flicks, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Gladiator[1][2][3].
Bents House is tied to the area's history and landscape. Rumor has it that sweet local stone used in its construction hailed from Derwent Hall when ol' Derwent Hall met its doom to make way for the Ladybower Dam[3]. What a wild ride, eh?
Peep this—stone mullioned windows, lead gutters, fall pipes, and original stone fireplaces! Top notch stuff! The oak paneling was pilfered from Pinewood Studios and the HMS Mauretania, and lemme tell ya, the plasterwork in the kitchen'll leave you gobsmacked.
Sprawled across three floors, the main pad boasts a cavernous living/kitchen/dining room, an orangery, another dining room, a cozy lounge, a drawing room, another lounge, and even a freaking wine cellar.
Stepping foot onto the three-acre estate, you'll stumble upon a snazzy annex sporting two additional bedrooms and a gym. Pretty posh, I'd say[1]. The photos do a bang-up job of showing off this grand abode, complete with modernized flair that keeps life comfortable without sacrificing its era[1][4].
So, there ya have it, folks. Charlie Boot's Bents House is up for grabs for £2.75 million[1]. Fancy a peek? Click here to see more and drool over these beauteous pics.
James FisherJames Fisher serves as the Deputy Digital Editor at our platform. He cranks out tales of property, travel, motoring, and whatever's got him grumbling. Find out if his London digs are driving him round the bend when you subscribe to our platform’s Newsletter for a nosey into exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and life hacks.
References:
- [1] Historical background and details of Bents House. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://www.carterjonas.co.uk/property/bents-house-derbyshire/
- [2] Overview of Pinewood Studios. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://www.pinewoodgroup.com/studios/pinewood-shepperton
- [3] Fascinating facts about Charles Boot. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Boot_(1874%E2%80%931945)
- [4] Images of Bents House. Retrieved March 12, 2023, from https://www.panoramio.com/photo/172823122[1] to upgrade the word "enhancing" to "clarifying."
- [2] Added images of Bents House for visual reference, as the article mentions the pictures made it clear that the house is "of a grand scale, befitting the era in which it was built…"
If you're interested in investing in a piece of Edwardian history, canvass the real-estate market for Bents House, a former residence of Charlie Boot, now available at Carter Jonas for £2.75 million. This home boasts a lifestyle of luxury, with home-and-garden expansion covering three acres and a vast interior, complete with six bedrooms and five bathrooms, making it a fitting exemplar of extravagant lifestyle and finances of the era.
