‘The prettiest country house in London’ hits the market for the first time

Metro Lifestyle reporter

Published October 31, 2025 4:00pm

An old stone house with a patio, plants and old cannon in front. — It could be yours if you’ve got £15 million to spend (Picture: Carter Jones)

A historic and exceptionally rare Georgian property at the entrance of St Katharine Docks, in London, is up for sale for the first time.

The Dockmaster’s House, originally designed by renowned 19th-century architect Philip Hardwick and built in 1827, is on the market with an asking price of £15 million.

The property’s origins lie deeply rooted in London’s maritime history. Constructed as the official residence for the dockmaster — responsible for overseeing dock operations — the house has retained its historical significance while evolving with time.

The transition to a private residence was influenced by Antony Armstrong-Jones, the first Earl of Snowdon, who intervened to prevent the building’s demolition.

The current owners combined the main Grade II listed Dockmaster’s House with the adjacent Toll House, creating a stunning Georgian English country house, surrounded by the Thames on two sides. The property is now on sale for the first time in its current combined form.

The result is a residence that has frequently been hailed as the ‘prettiest historic country house in central London’.

The prettiest historic country house in central London; a rare opportunity for a buyer for whom a statement property, in a globally renowned city, with iconic views, exceptional accommodation, almost unrivalled security and an important historical provenance is appealing. The Dockmaster?s House was designed in 1827 by leading Architect Philip Hardwick, treasurer of the Royal Academy, and whose next project was Goldsmith?s Hall in the City of London. Built during the reign of George IV, the house has a fascinating history which is well documented - the late Queen's brother-in-law, Lord Snowdon, campaigned against the threat of demolition as it?s purpose changed from being the home of the Dockmaster, who managed the Dock, to a private domestic dwelling. — The house is surrounded by the Thames on two sides (Picture: Carter Jones)

Main features of the Dockmaster’s House

Spanning approximately 5,000 square feet across five floors, the property offers a seamless blend of period features and modern luxury.

It contains four bedrooms and three bathrooms, alongside a library and a study.

One notable feature is the Georgian wine cellar, equipped with an environmentally controlled atmosphere, reflecting the house’s sophisticated heritage.

The drawing and dining rooms are highlights, sealed with panoramic river views encompassing world-famous landmarks such as Tower Bridge and The Shard, creating a dramatic and picturesque living environment.

Meanwhile, the external spaces have been expertly designed by Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, a landscape gardener known for his work at Kensington Palace.

The well-appointed grounds include a formal parterre, lush planting schemes, a raised terrace, an elegant rotunda, a quaint riverside folly, and an ornamental pond. There is also a generous open space supporting leisure and outdoor activities, making the property an exceptional urban sanctuary in the heart of London.

The property’s exquisite interiors, expansive river views, and landscaped gardens, combined with the £15 million price tag. place it among the capital’s most exclusive residential offerings.