Windlesham Moor is a country house, and former royal residence, at Sunningdale, Ascot, Surrey, England.

[edit] History

It was bought in 1942 for £40,000 by Philip Hill, from whom Sunninghill Park was later bought. He renovated the house in 1944. It was rented furnished from his widow, Mrs. Warwick Bryant, for The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh and The Duke of Edinburgh between 1947 and 4 July 1949^[1].

The house had four reception rooms including a reception hall, dining room, a 50 foot drawing room, and a Chinese Room. There was also a study, games room, and loggia. There were five main bedrooms. The nursery comprised two guestrooms joined.

The house was set in 58 acres.

[edit] Present

The current owner is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the ruler of Dubai^[2]; although other sources have mentioned his brother Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, deputy leader of Dubai^[3].

It has been vastly renovated by its current owner, with major extensions to the main house (thought to have been the largest private house extension in the UK)^{[citation needed]}, the addition of a large security gatehouse in 2002, and the inclusion of several other smaller properties into the estate, namely "Winklands" and "Rose Cottage".

The house is seldom occupied for the majority of the year, but is used throughout the summer months (July to September) by its current owner, his family, and other Arab dignitaries.

The property is maintained all year round by a team of property managers, gardeners and security personnel.

In September 2008 a painting of the house and gardens circa 1934 was discovered and auctioned, which was claimed to have been painted by Winston Churchill^[4].

[edit] References

1. ^ Royal.gov.uk – 60 Facts, Fact 49
2. ^ Telegraph, 11 September 2008
3. ^ Britain.tv - Top 100 Homes in Britain
4. ^ Daily Mail, 12 September 2008

Coordinates: 51°22′48″N 0°40′33″W / 51.3801°N 0.6757°W / 51.3801; -0.6757