Haining Cottage, South Ascot

South-East Elevation, the Front	Dr. John Leighton (1916-2002)
The photograph of Dr. John Leighton was taken in the grounds of All Saints Church, Ascot in March 1999 and was provided by Pam Grigg.

Haining Cottage was originally the stables block for the house called Haining. Hay used to be stored on the first floor and there was still a full length door at first floor level at the north-east end of the cottage, through which the hay was passed.

The cottage was for many years the home of Dr. John Leighton (1916-2002), a retired consultant anaesthetist and a bachelor. His interests included gardening, railways, opera, walking and dogs. In the gardens of Haining Cottage there was a Victorian greenhouse which Dr. Leighton had restored and used. He opened the gardens to the public once a year to raise money for the Berkshire Churches Trust. His dogs always came from rescue homes.

After Dr. Leighton was diagnosed with motor neuron disease, he successfully applied for a Tree Preservation Order on the property (Number 56 of 2002) in an attempt to preserve the gardens.

After his death, the property was advertised for sale by Knight Frank for £1,250,000. They described it as 'Two reception rooms, three bedrooms. Possible redevelopment potential. Two storey freehold Victorian coach house (0.55 hectares), currently arranged as an attractive period cottage and gardens, offering residential development potential, subject to the grant of any necessary consents.' The photographs above of Haining Cottage and its garden were taken by the estate agents a year or two after Dr. Leighton's death, when the garden was no longer looking its best.

Site Plan of Haining Cottage

Site Plan of Redevelopment of Haining Cottage