Lane End, Chucks Lane, Walton

“Lane End,” is at Walton Heath. The plan is less spread than at Chesham. but more so than at Gerrard's Cross. The cost, therefore, might be expected to come between the two. It worked out at sevenpence halfpenny per cube foot, and would have been less but for the heavy expense of carting due to the distance of the site from the station. It must be understood, of course, that these comparisons are only possible or useful because the internal finishings of all these houses are on simple lines. Lane End is a good example of a successful small house built in obedience to a sound maxim, that the smaller the house the less assertive should be the materials, and the more economical of broken lines should be the design.  The north front shows the dignity which follows the perfectly natural use of simple brick and tile. A pleasant variety of colour is secured by the judicious contrasts between the rough plum-coloured bricks which are used for the bulk of the walls and the bright red corners and dressings, while a touch of interest is given to the walls near the verandah on the south side by six bands of thin red tiles set with wide cement joints. The hall opens on to the verandah and dining and drawing rooms, yet it is cut off from the front door. The placing of the windows and their aspects are so well managed that, though they are small enough to give a sense of great comfort, the lighting is ample. The picture of the hall shows the simplicity which is characteristic of the whole house. The settle is open to criticism. It is an inexpensive feature and useful to ward off the draughts from the verandah door, but nothing will convince that it makes a comfortable seat. A good and economical treatment of window-sills is to make them, as here, of thick red tiles a foot wide. On the first floor are five bedrooms and above them a fine attic. The pictures hardly do justice to the garden, which was laid out by Mr. Morley Horder, because a wall now encloses the drive before the entrance and runs where the young shrubs appear in the view of the north front. The garden has grown up since the photographs were taken, and Nature has brought her softening graciousness to aid the designer’s art; but these early pictures, perhaps, do Mr. Horder the more credit, since the house speaks for itself without adventitious aids.   Lane End is, as its name tells, at the end of a pleasant byway, and looks on to the Heath. It is one of many houses which have sprung up since the Walton Links took so firm a hold on the affections of golfers, but none shows a greater convenience of plan married to sane and simple treatment at a lower if at so low a cost.