Rue Slipshoe

Old Sweeps House is a home that inspires curiosity from it’s passers by. Tucked behind its garden walls on historic Slipshoe Street, this Grade II listed house has stood here in one form or another since the 14th century, evolving gently through the centuries into a deeply characterful family home. Saved from demolition in 1959 by the current owners, it has since been restored with enormous care and respect. There is a reassuring honesty to the house; centuries-old timbers, uneven lines and vaulted ceilings sit comfortably alongside practical family spaces designed for modern life. Inside, the atmosphere is warm and a little theatrical. Sunlight moves across exposed beams and textured plaster walls, while the generous proportions of the reception rooms make the house feel unexpectedly calm and adaptable. The double-aspect sitting room, with its fireplace at the centre, is made for winter evenings and long conversations, while the dining room has the easy formality of a house that has entertained for generations. At the rear, the snug feels altogether more relaxed, for winding down with a film or a book. The kitchen breakfast room, opens directly onto the terrace and gardens beyond, encouraging life to spill outdoors through the warmer months. The utility space sits at one end, plumbed in and ready to conceal should a new custodian wish to.
Upstairs, the principal bedroom is perhaps the most memorable room in the house. The remarkable vaulted ceiling and crownpost roof speak to the building’s medieval origins, yet the room itself feels restful rather than grandiose. The additional bedrooms and bathrooms are arranged with the practicality expected of a long-established family home, offering flexibility for guests, children or working from home.
The gardens are every bit as compelling as the house itself. Wrapped in old walls and thoughtfully divided into a series of intimate outdoor rooms, they reveal themselves gradually through charming doorways and pathways. The South West-facing front garden, designed by renowned landscape designer Nic Howard, delivers waves of colour and texture throughout the summer, yet retains the softness and informality of a true cottage garden. It is remarkably peaceful here — particularly given that the very centre of Reigate is only moments away.