Binfield November 2008

Binfield was put up for sale by auction by its owner J.T.Lawrence in 1935. The sale particulars [BML10/44/59] describe the house thus: "All that excellent Freehold Property comprising the family residence known as "Binfield". Situate in Stoke Road, Linslade, Bucks…The Residence is detached, brick-built with tiled roof, and stands well back from the road, from which it is screened by a belt of trees. It contains: -

On the Ground Floor:

• Entrance Porch.
• Spacious hall, with tiled floor and radiator.
• Cloak Room.
• Dining room (measuring 18 feet 6 inches by 16 feet, including bay) with tiled grate and mahogany mantle and overmantle.
• Drawing room (measuring 15 feet by 12½ feet) with tiled grate and white mantle and overmantle, leading therefrom is a heated conservatory with tiled floor and flower racks.
• Billiard room, or Play Room, measuring 18 feet by 15 feet with Radiator and French windows opening on to the Conservatory.
• Kitchen, with tiled floor, dresser and ideal boiler.
• Scullery with copper and sink, larder and butler's pantry.

On the First Floor, approached by good main and secondary staircases, are: -

• Excellent landing with store cupboard.
• Three principal bedrooms, all fitted with grates, measuring 16 feet by 17 feet, 16 feet 6 inches by 14 feet 6 inches and 14 feet 6 inches by 12 feet respectively.
• Two smaller bedrooms.
• Bathroom (Hot and Cold) with lavatory basin and W.C.

In the basement are two good cellars, one containing the boiler heating the Conservatory, hall and Billiard Room. At the side, with a convenient entrance from the road, is a good range of Brick-and-Tiled Outbuildings comprising Loose Box, Garage, and Harness or Store Room with Loft over; 2 Store or Fuel Houses, and 2 W.C.'s. The Grounds are of convenient size and contain Flower and Kitchen Garden, Tennis Lawn and Orchard, with a Small Heated Greenhouse and Potting Shed. The total area is about 1 acre 1 rood 12 perches. Main Gas and water-supply are connected and Electric Light is available. Cesspool drainage".

A document noting covenants and stipulations regarding the property reveals that Joseph Thomas Lawrence (living in Harrow [Middlesex] in 1935) had owned Binfield since 1891, when he had purchased it from James Wright Salisbury and had lived there at least until 1920, as revealed by directories. In the end the property was sold privately to a Mr.Madsen for £1,000.