'Symmetry — that's what makes Georgian houses so special,' Will Peppit of Savills told Country Life back in 2014 when trying to sum up the appeal of this most sought-after of property types.

'There's something wonderfully pleasing about the layout of a house in which the main rooms on every floor are designed around a central staircase or landing,' Peppit added.

'And if, like me, you're 6ft 4in and blind as a bat, the high ceilings and light rooms of a typical Georgian house are a real bonus.'

We think he was on to something. We associate Georgian houses with the sort of country piles that get used to film Jane Austen adaptations, but both the breadth and the genius of Georgian architecture is much more than that. Here are four examples which really sum it up: a Tudor mansion transformed by its Georgian owners; a charming townhouse; a village farmhouse; and a flat in one of the world's most famous buildings. Georgian one and all, and not an old rectory to be seen.

Norfolk — £1.595 million

The origins of Home Farm House in Helhoughton reach back to Tudor times, but this home also has the distinctive symmetry, proportions and elegance of the Georgian period (1714–1830), including a brick façade, having been added to over the centuries. Exposed brickwork continues inside, in evidence in the kitchen, which has an island at its centre, complete with a bespoke inscription — ‘Home Farm House’ — etched into the wooden worktop.

This thoughtful approach can be found everywhere in this seven-bedroom home, such as the linked snug (the Tudor part of the house), where there is more exposed historic brick and ceiling beams, plus a deep inglenook fireplace for that constantly cosy feel. The ceiling is high in the drawing room (the Georgian part of the home), a room that also has an open fireplace, sash windows and original wooden shutters.

A self-contained two-bedroom apartment can be accessed via a private staircase and, outside, a converted barn has two self-contained bedroom suites and is currently run as a successful Airbnb business.

For sale via Sowerbys — see more details and pictures.

Bath — £795,000

Ever since it was designed by John Wood the Younger and constructed between 1767 and 1774, Bath’s curvaceous Royal Crescent has attracted the great and the good. In fact, there have been plenty of illustrious residents and guests, not least the politician and slave-trade abolitionist William Wilberforce, who stayed at No 2 in 1798, and the poet and playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan (creator of The Rivals), who visited and later married noted soprano singer Elizabeth Ann Linley from No 11. The actor John Cleese purchased a basement flat in 2016, too, but sold it again two years later.

The flat now listed for sale is on the ground floor and has two double bedrooms, as well as, according to the agent, a ‘welcoming entrance hall [that] leads to a beautifully proportioned reception room featuring a period fireplace and views towards the Crescent lawns… Residents of the Royal Crescent enjoy access to the private Crescent lawn, separated from the public park by a traditional ha-ha, preserving privacy and uninterrupted views across Royal Victoria Park.’

For sale via Knight Frank — see more details and pictures.

Norfolk — £695,000

The sellers of pretty Primrose Cottage have used it as a permanent residence and it could lend itself to this role once again, but it would equally make the perfect weekend bolthole or a coastal retreat for holidaymakers with a potential income stream, for it is situated in the village of Thornham, which, with three pubs and a renowned deli, is a stone’s throw from Brancaster Beach.

An elegant red-brick façade greets visitors to this semi-detached cottage and, inside, they will find plenty of original features, such as wide Georgian floorboards, panelling, cast-iron bedroom fireplaces and working shutters.

Upstairs, two double bedrooms both have en-suite bathrooms, and a kitchen, dining room and sitting room occupy the ground floor. Outside, the terrace is a sun trap on cloudless days.

For sale via Sowerbys — see more details and pictures.

Northumberland — £1.2 million

Train enthusiasts — or anyone else, come to that — will no doubt love Bradley Garden House, located in Wylam, for this village is the birthplace of the ‘father of the railways’, George Stephenson. He lived here until he was about eight, but he wouldn’t have found his own very humble High Street House anything like the beautiful Bradley Garden House, where everything — including the three reception rooms and four bedrooms (over two floors) — has been sympathetically restored.

This Georgian farmhouse, which was once the residence for the head gardener from the 18th-century walled Bradley Gardens, has a kitchen that is fitted with a bespoke, handmade Neptune kitchen by Bridgewater Interiors.

Externally, the south-facing gardens are landscaped and a stone terrace is perfect for alfresco dining or sitting and soaking up the tranquillity.

For sale via Finest — see more details and pictures.

Stoke Newington is known for many things, but perhaps fine Grade II*-listed buildings are not one of them. It is one of my favourite parts of London: lots of green space, lots of excellent restaurants and bars and museums. Perhaps one day I will move there.

If I did so, I think I might like a house such as this one on Church Street. Listed Grade II*, the property offers six bedrooms, four bathrooms and three sitting rooms over its five floors, as well as a small garden. It is for sale with Savills for £3.9 million.

According to the agents, the property has recently been restored by its current owners under the watchful and ‘sympathetic’ eye of Butler Hegarty Architects. As a result, what we are left with is a large family home in London of some 4,000sq ft.

Like a lot of London homes, the interiors are where the magic can be found. And there is plenty of magic here. I love the soft colours, the mix of modernity and period features and original panelling. Indeed, the renovation restored a lot of the original fittings and materials, such as the brickwork, chimneys and windows.

I think out of everything, my highlight has to be the original box staircase that has survived over the decades, and that runs alongside alternating twist balusters. A house this grand needs a staircase to match, and it has one.

'This exceptional property seamlessly blends historical integrity with modern living, making it a rare and remarkable opportunity in this vibrant part of London,' says Savills's Sarah Curtis. 'Carefully preserved by the current owners, the home showcases its Grade II* listed Georgian features to their fullest potential, balancing timeless character with the needs of the 21st-century buyer. Enhanced by a thoughtfully curated colour palette, this property truly is one of a kind.'

We would agree.

This property on Church Street, N16, is for sale with Savills for £3.9 million. For more information and pictures, click here.

Ceiling beams, stone floors and gorgeous gardens at an ivy-clad manor house in one of the most beautiful villages in the Cotswolds

Penny Churchill takes a look at The Manor House, Blockley.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

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Credit: Nick Ayliffe / DDRE Global

Epic views, land and a ballroom to die for at a Surrey Hills home created by one of the greatest architects of the Arts-and-Crafts movement

Greyfriars is a beautiful 19th century home with an impeccable pedigree, designed by Charles Vosey and with gardens laid out by

There’s a lot to be said for symmetry. I am usually of the opinion that the more unusual and exotic a house is, the better it is. This is very much a personal opinion, spent from watching far too many episodes of Grand Designs and from spending too much time shuffling through properties on the internet so that I might write about them for you.

However, when something lines up so neatly, you can’t help but be impressed. The example we will be discussing today is The Wash, in the village of West Coker, which looks as if it has come straight out of a Jane Austen novel. Look at that façade. You could set your watch to it. It’s for sale with Jackson-Stops for £2.2 million.

Three floors, eight bedrooms, five bathrooms. Everything in The Wash is well laid out, well proportioned and well presented. Listed Grade II (justifiably so, say the agents), the property has been the subject of a recent and significant programme of works, which has reconfigured the property back into its original form. 

With a southerly orientation, the property also benefits from plenty of light, which is useful as you could get lost staring at and enjoying the delightfully period interiors. All the hits are here: fireplaces, elegant stonework, precise plasterwork, large windows, shutters and so on.

A particular highlight of the spacious interiors is the large family kitchen/breakfast room. Another is the staircase hall, with its glorious stained glass window. There is just lots to love in here. And indeed, outside, with that outstanding entrance portico.

Further outside, the grounds and gardens extend to some 3.75 acres, and include lawned areas, paddocks, stone walls, a ha-ha and plenty of trees, such as a giant sequoia. Five garages and further stone outbuildings provide plenty of storage space.

West Coker itself is a thriving Somerset village, which offers two pubs, a general store, petrol station, doctors’ surgery, post office, butchers, primary school, cricket club and a boutique hotel. All very typical of a real rural idyll. 

The Wash is for sale with Jackson Stops for £2.2 million. For more information and pictures, click here

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OK, OK, we all know London is heaving with multi-million pound pads. From classic period properties, to modern masterpieces, the capital’s bricks and mortar is known for its chunky price tags.

Little wonder then, that it boasts the highest proportion of luxury property for sale in Britain, with 8.6% of homes on the market in the capital worth £2m or more, according to eXp Luxury.

But break away from London, where else are the streets (allegedly) paved with gold?

Step forward Bath. Famed for its Roman origins and grand Georgian architecture (among other things), the city has been crowned the nation’s luxury property hotspot outside London. Some 3.1% of all homes listed for sale in Bath boast a price tag of £2m or more.

This stylish Grade I-listed townhouse is located in a sought-after spot on the Paragon, a late 18th century terrace in the Bath Conservation Area, according to the selling agent, Inigo. It could be yours - for £2,250,000.

Bohemian Brighton follows suit, with 1.3% of all homes on the market commanding an asking price of £2m or more.

This Grade II listed, double fronted townhouse, in the heart of the seaside city, could be just the ticket. It's on sale for £2,000,000 via Savills.

Edinburgh also makes an appearance in eXp Luxury’s top ranking. At 0.8%, it has the highest proportion of luxury sales listings in Scotland.

If you’re in the market (and have deep pockets), how about this impressive A-listed, four-storey townhouse set in Edinburgh's exclusive New Town neighbourhood? It's on sale with Rettie & Co for £4,750,000.

Leeds completes the top hotspots, with 0.6% of homes for sale marketed for £2m or more.

eXp Luxury’s analysis looked at how many £2m-plus properties are for sale across 15 major British cities - and which are home to the highest proportion of this stock.

‘London remains by far the most dominant market when it comes to the volume of homes listed for sale commanding a price tag of £2m or more,’ says Head of eXp UK, Adam Day.

‘But that’s not to say that the luxury market is refined to London alone and, in fact, there are a number of other cities up and down the nation that boast a healthy level of high-end stock.’

Stamp duty changes spark first-time buyer rush

First-time buyers are rushing to get sales over the line in more expensive areas before stamp duty thresholds change in April, suggests Rightmove.

It comes after the government revealed in the Autumn Budget that current stamp duty relief would end on 31 March, 2025. It means that from next April, just 8% of homes for sale will be stamp duty-free for first-time buyers in London. The level will be 24% in the South East and 32% in the East of England.

According to the property portal, first-time buyer appetite in London before the Autumn Budget was 28% ahead of last year. Now, it is 31% ahead.

Over in the East of England, demand pre-Autumn Budget was also 28% ahead of last year, and it’s now ticked up to 32%. And that upward trend is echoed in the South East of England too, where the figure has shifted from 23% to 24% ahead of last year.

In contrast, most other areas of England have seen a drop in buyer demand since the Autumn Budget - except for the North East.

‘In London and higher-priced areas, where first-time buyers are most likely to be affected, we’re seeing some pull forward their plans to try and avoid higher charges,’ says Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s property expert.

‘In most other areas of England, which have a greater availability of stamp duty-free homes for first-time buyers, we’re seeing the opposite trend of some first-time buyers taking a pause for breath with no further help announced in the Autumn Budget.’

This mood is mirrored in a recent Savills survey of ‘prime’ home movers, which reveals that first-time buyers and buyers looking at property worth £250-£500,000 are the most incentivised to move.

Nick Maud, director of research at Savills, adds that ‘younger buyers in their 20s and 30s were the most likely to be active in the market in the short term’.

Buying a home becomes more affordable

And now for some festive cheer! Buying a home has become more affordable relative to income, according to Halifax.

House prices have climbed by 3.8% compared with a year ago, hitting an average £292,508.

Meanwhile annual earnings for full-time workers have increased by 5%, to reach an average £44,667, over the same timescale.

And that puts the house price to income ratio at 6.55 - down from a record high of 7.24 in the summer of 2022.

Amanda Bryden, Head of Halifax Mortgages, says improving affordability is ‘great news for first-time buyers and existing homeowners looking to remortgage or move up the property ladder.

‘However, while homes are becoming more affordable, the progress has been gradual. Buying a property remains a significant challenge for many, with prices still near record highs and interest rates likely to stay higher than we’ve been used to over the past decade.’

Credit: Getty

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Best restoration of a Georgian Country House

Winner: Brockfield Hall, North Yorkshire, by Rupert Cunningham of Ben Pentreath

Restoration of a Georgian Church

Winner: St Mary’s Warwick, by Mark Stewart

Commended: St Lawrence Jewry, London EC2, by Julian Harrap Architects LLP

Giles Worsley Award for New Building in Spirit of Georgian Era

Winner: Sparsholt Manor, Oxfordshire, by Adam Richards Architects

New Georgian Country House

Winner: Tiverton House, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, by Quinlan Terry Architects LLP

The Diaphoros Prize

Winner: The Royal College of Music, London SW7, by John Simpson Architects

Re-Use of a Georgian Building

Winner: The Camellia House, Wentworth Woodhouse, South Yorkshire, by Donald Insall Associates

Commended: 32, Sackville Street, London W1, by Thomas Croft Architects

Restoration of a Georgian Building in an Urban Setting

Winner: Sherborne House, Sherborne, Dorset, by Spase Architects and Surveyors

Commended: 33, Portland Place, London SE1, by MSMR Architects

New Building in a Georgian Context

Winner: Little Durnford Manor, Wiltshire, by Yiangou Architects

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‘A magical home in a sublime rural setting’ in Devon has hit the market for the first time in nearly 27 years.

Newcombes ticks many boxes: spacious rooms, period features, south-facing aspect, charming gardens, outbuildings, paddocks and a lake. Real halcyon days stuff.

Little wonder that the six-bedroom house is described by the selling agent, Savills, as a ‘cherished family home’. The Grade II listed property is on sale for £1,750,000.

Newcombes is sandwiched between Exeter and Tiverton. Totalling 5,000 sq ft, the house comprises a series of spacious reception rooms. Entrance hall, drawing room, morning room, kitchen, living room… that sunny conservatory looks particularly inviting.

But the real showstopper is the dining and billiard room. Described as a ‘fantastic entertaining space’, we’d hazard a guess that many a late night could be enjoyed here.

Upstairs, there’s numerous bedrooms. Six, to be precise. Plus bathrooms and a study.

Beyond the main house, there is a former coach house and workshop with a cobbled courtyard, water tower and carport with solar panels on the roof. Like a project? This building could be converted, subject to the necessary consents, of course. There’s also a former stable block with tack room and turn-out yard, currently used as kennelling.

Plenty of sustenance can be found in the six acres of grounds, with a well-kept kitchen garden, orchard, Victorian greenhouse and potting shed.

Paddocks lie to the south and east of the grounds, which, as well as lawns, trees, herbaceous borders and an ornamental pond with fountain, include broadleaf woodland and a lake with an island.

Newcombes is set between the villages of Newton St. Cyres and Shobrooke, surrounded by mid-Devon’s rolling hills.

‘A magical home in a sublime rural setting,’ says Savills agent, Chris Clifford.

Newcombes is on the market for £1,750,000 via Savills — see more details and pictures.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

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Credit: Lillicrap Chilcott/Jefferys

A four bedroom house on the River Fowey that rose from the ruins of the English Civil War

Grade II-listed Stannary House offers peaceful Cornish living and plenty of historical provenance.

Somerset houses can boast a mix of owners as illustrious as that of grand, Grade II-listed Harptree Court, which stands in some 52 acres of gardens, spring-fed lakes, woods, pasture and parkland on the edge of the popular village of East Harptree, within the Mendip Hills National Landscape, nine miles from Wells, 13 miles from Bristol and 16 miles from Bath. Joint agents Knight Frank and Savills quote a guide price of £6.75 million for the recently restored Georgian country house.

The house was built in 1797 (with 1820 additions) to the Classical designs of Charles Harcourt Masters of Bath, a successful surveyor and architect who was closely involved with the development of the city and also laid out formal gardens and grounds for many important houses, including those at Dyrham Park, Gloucestershire, and Harptree Court itself.

Originally known as Richmond Hall, Harptree Court was built for Joshua Scrope, a wealthy Lincolnshire landowner who was born John Peart, but, in 1792, changed his name to Scrope when his wife, Mary, inherited a large fortune from her maternal uncle, Frederick James Scrope.

Following Mary’s death in 1795, Joshua moved to a 1,200-acre estate in East Harptree, where he built the court.

A year later, he married Ann Brydges, a rich widow who was a member of the landowning Phillipps family of Eaton Bishop, Herefordshire. The couple lived at Harptree Court until 1803, when they advertised the house for sale and moved to London.

The house was bought for John James Waldegrave, 6th Earl Waldegrave, but lived in by his mother, the Dowager Countess of Waldegrave, who was listed in the Morning Post column of ‘Fashionable Arrivals and Departures’ on her moving to Harptree Court in 1806.

She was the widow of George, 4th Earl Waldegrave, and, in 1810, inherited Strawberry Hill House in London from her great-uncle, Sir Horace Walpole. On her death in 1816, both estates passed to her son. John James Waldegrave had succeeded to the peerage in 1794 on the death of his brother, George, who drowned in the Thames near Eton.

When John James died in 1835, his 19-year-old son, George Edward Waldegrave, the 7th Earl, inherited the family estates. He quickly ran up enormous debts and, in 1842, was forced to sell the family treasures at Strawberry Hill House, after which he and his wife went to live at Harptree Court. He died there in 1846, leaving his estates to his wife.

In 1858, the house was sold to Mary Jary Gurney, heiress of Richard Hanbury Gurney MP of Thickthorn Hall in Norfolk. She had married her cousin, John Henry Gurney, in 1846, but divorced in 1861 after she eloped with her footman, William Taylor, whom she later married.

Taylor inherited her fortune when she died in 1872, and the following year, Harptree Court was again for sale. It was acquired by William Wildman Kettlewell who moved there following his marriage in 1875. The couple lived there until William’s death in 1916, after which the estate was sold to Charles Loraine Hill, in whose family it remained for the next 100 years.

In 2020, the Hill family sold Harptree Court to the current owners, who have carried out a major renovation of the house and grounds, repairing the roof, updating heating and electrical systems and redecorating throughout.

The house stands in a private setting on the edge of the village, surrounded by high stone walls and overlooking its own parkland. The property is accessed by two main drives from the north and east, which meet in a carriage drive at the front of the house, with a third entrance gate opposite the stableyard to the south-west leading directly into the village.

Harptree Court is arranged on an east-west axis, with the principal rooms looking out over the north lawn, where a ha-ha and a refurbished wooden bridge separate the gardens from the rolling parkland and pasture.

Harptree Court offers 11,750sq ft of elegant living space on two floors with a cellar beneath, including entrance and staircase halls, four fine reception rooms, a home office, snug, kitchen/breakfast room, four bedroom suites, seven further bedrooms, four bath/shower rooms, a nursery and staff flat.

Further accommodation is available in the two-bedroom Laundry Cottage, which adjoins the Victorian stableyard, and the enchanting treehouse, which was built in 2011 and is currently rented out for holiday lets.

A range of former farm buildings out of sight of the main house are considered suitable for residential development, subject to planning, whereas a series of Victorian greenhouses in the centre of the walled garden, if restored, would be magnificent once again.

Harptree Court is for sale at £6.75 million via Knight Frank and Savills — see more pictures and details.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

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Every time somebody tries to pull together a list of England's prettiest villages, the name of Cheriton usually crops up.

Sitting 6¼ miles east of Winchester and four miles south of Alresford, it's a place that feels as if it's been sitting here, charmingly unspoilt, for centuries.

Even two centuries ago this was the case: Williams Cobbett described it in his classic 1830 tome Rural Rides as ‘a little hard iron village where all seems to be as old as the hills that surround it’. 196 years later, Cheriton can claim to be one of best cared-for and most progressive villages within the surrounding South Downs National Park.

When a beautiful house pops up for sale in the village, then, it's cause to celebrate. George Clarendon of Knight Frank in Winchester is handling the sale of Grade II-listed Hockley House, at £4.85 million, which is on the market for the first time in just under half a century.

This former coaching inn dates from the late 18th century, with 19th- and 20th-century additions, and is essentially a classic Georgian house set in 9¼ acres of gardens and parkland.

The setting is truly something, standing on high ground leading down to the village, which a tributary of the Itchen intersects with multiple branches, crossed by several light bridges.

The present owners bought Hockley House in 1976 and immediately embarked on a full restoration of the main house with its Victorian and Edwardian extensions to the rear.

Still impeccably maintained throughout, it offers more than 12,250sq ft of pleasantly rambling accommodation on three floors, including, on the ground floor, an impressive reception hall, four main reception rooms and a kitchen/breakfast room, with extensive cellars below.

There are four bedroom suites, a further bedroom, gym, laundry and linen room on the first floor; and five further bedrooms, four bathrooms, a studio, sitting room, kitchen and store room on the floor above.

The gardens and grounds are no less impressive, notably the splendid walled garden with its vegetable beds at one end, and the large heated swimming pool, pool house and paved dining area at the other.

There is also a hard tennis court.

Hockley House is for sale at £4.85 million — see more pictures and details.

The entire map of Britain is full of gloriously quirky place names (Auchtermuchty in Fife and Pratt’s Bottom in Kent are particular favourites), but for a constant stream of magnificently bananas places, it’s hard to beat the West Country. And the as if to demonstrate this very point, today’s property is a gorgeous house in a Somerset village called Trudoxhill, a spot wedged in between Nunney Catch and Marston Bigot. You really couldn’t make it up.

The house in question is Millards Hill House, a Grade II-listed Georgian home being sold by Alice Keith of Knight Frank, with an asking price of £3 million.

That money buys you a strikingly pretty home designed in the Classical, symmetrical style with 19th- and 20th-century additions, located in an idyllic rural spot four miles from the market town of Frome and 18 from the World Heritage city of Bath.

It's been owned for almost 40 years by the same family, and is the sort of place where even arriving is an event: you enter the 44 acres of parkland and paddocks via a long, private drive, which splits to provide access to the main entrance of the house before leading to the stable yard, outdoor school, cottage and outbuildings at the rear.

The imposing main building, which now needs updating throughout, offers 7,490sq ft of accommodation laid out in traditional country-house style, with three principal reception rooms, a conservatory, nine bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Particularly impressive is the gracious, south-facing drawing room, which opens onto a terrace with far-reaching views towards King Alfred’s Tower, a landmark 18th-century folly on the neighbouring Stourhead estate.

Millards Hill House is surrounded by established formal gardens, which include a covered swimming pool and pool house and an old tennis court that could easily be reinstated.

A two-bedroom cottage and various outbuildings could be converted to residential use subject to planning, the agents say.

Millards Hill House was originally built in the late 18th century as the dower house to nearby Marston House, which was the English seat of the Earls of Cork and Orrery from the mid 1600s until 1905 (and which was rescued from dereliction in the 1980s and 1990s, as Country Life reported in January 2018).

Millards Hill House is for sale via Knight Frank at £3 million — see more pictures and details.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

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It is the opinion of the Country Life Property Desk (CLPD) that houses with plants growing all over them and with long sweeping drives are Cool and Good. Even better if they come with seven bedrooms and almost 70 acres of land. 

To Cheshire then, where Savills have for sale, for the sum of £6.65 million, the glorious Boden Hall, which has all the above, and much more. Approached down a long tree-lined drive, as all good things often are, the property sits in a private parkland setting with a view over a two-acre lake, island and boathouse.

The good news doesn’t stop there. While being an ‘excellent example of the architecture of the period’, per the agents (and indeed, ourselves), it is unlisted and has been extended over the years. 

However, this substantial home of more than 10,000sq ft still retains plenty of its original features, including window shutters, architraves and cornicing. As the photos accompanying this article will reveal, the interiors are quite something.

Observe, if you will, the elegant entrance hall, with its beautiful fireplace and intricate plasterwork. Behold the glorious wallpaper of the Bird Room. Dislike that wallpaper? Why not indulge yourself in the green of the dining room. I do not know who lives here, but gosh I would like to sit and talk to them about their taste (it’s excellent).

Outside, things are much the same. Extensive gardens provide a wonderful setting for the house and have been designed to feature a number of rooms, vistas and other points of interest. A rose garden with an exquisite Victorian glasshouse is to the rear, as well as a walled kitchen garden, while the south garden is framed by rhododendron, yew hedging and specimen Portuguese laurel.

In the vast grounds you’ll also find a saltwater swimming pool and poolhouse, a tennis court, squash court, kennels, modern machinery shed and six (6!) cottages, which are currently let on assured shorthold tenancies. Two large fields are also rented to a local farmer on a short-term agreement.

Boden Hall is for sale with Savills for £6.65 million. For more information and pictures, click here

Credit: Janna Dixon photography/Lillicrap Chilcott

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A slightly decadent wilderness of smashed Georgian glass and 30ft-tall camellias with trunks as thick as trees — plants once valued as highly as van Dyck paintings — confronted the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust (WWPT) when, in 2017, it bought the South Yorkshire house and accompanying buildings. The Grade II*-listed Camellia House, a ‘derelict shell’ on the Heritage at Risk Register, has now been restored to its former glory and reopened last week.

Built as a tea house in 1738, where the resident 1st Marchioness of Rockingham could entertain friends, it was converted into a Camellia House in 1812 by the 4th Earl Fitzwilliam, who had inherited both the estate and a passion for exotic plants from his uncle, the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham.

During the 19th century, the prized building, which would have been extravagantly expensive to heat, housed some 30 camellias — each cost the equivalent of a housemaid’s annual salary and we know of at least one proposal, to Lady Donatia Fitzwilliam, that took place among its colourful blooms (she said yes). Sadly, once the family left in the 1980s, much of the estate, including the main house, fell into dereliction.

Five years ago, the head gardener, Scott Jamieson, discovered that many of the 19 camellias that then still existed dated back to the early 19th century, making them some of the oldest in the Western world, according to the International Camellia Society. A £5 million restoration ensued, funded with £4 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and some £614,000 from Historic England, as well as contributions from the WWPT’s own funds and grant applications, Garfield Weston Foundation, Historic House Foundation, Swire Charitable Trust, Ian Addison Charitable Trust and others.

The restoration — for which architects Donald Insall Associates and York-based construction specialists William Birch have won best Innovation in Environmental Improvement in the Green Apple Environmental Awards 2023 and been shortlisted for the RICS Award 2024 — involved installing carbon-neutral heating and a rainwater irrigation system.

‘The camellias are robust, having been feral for the best part of a century, but they are now in a rarified atmosphere again and that puts us on a steep learning curve, just as the gardeners of 1810 would have been when the camellias first arrived,’ explains Mr Jamieson. ‘We are looking out for pests and diseases, which will become more prevalent in an enclosed environment, and are closely monitoring the plants for 12 months, which will then set a pattern for their care.’

Five of the now tree-sized camellias, which all had to be painstakingly protected during the works, have been identified as varieties first on sale in Britain between 1806 and 1822. These include a ‘Pompone’ from about 1810, with different coloured blooms on separate branches, and a red-flowered ‘Rubra’, one of the oldest varieties in China and Japan, dating from 1819.

A further six of the current 18 varieties are being identified — a project in collaboration with the International Camellia Society that involves examining the drawings and descriptions of early plant catalogues and articles from the late 1700s–1800s by growers propagating the first cuttings from China.

One Camellia ‘Incarnata’, first sold in Britain in 1806, died before the restoration began, but, in 2019, cuttings of all the remaining plants were sent for propagation to Chiswick House, London W4, which also has a renowned collection.

Through this, ‘we are creating our own plant bank to ensure the collection survives for at least another 500 years,’ explains Mr Jamieson. ‘The young plants returned in 2021 and are now more than 1ft tall. We are also growing on a further 120 cuttings taken last year. These plants are our new recruits, on stand-by to take over if a historic camellia in the Camellia House comes to the end of its life.’

From April 2, visitors will be able to take tea in the Camellia House, which will also host events; regeneration works throughout the Wentworth Woodhouse estate are ongoing. Visit wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk to find out more.

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Follies and related buildings in an 18th century landscape, South Yorkshire

Surrey — £6,750,000

Great Tangley Manor is a home that is thought to be the UK’s oldest continuously inhabited house, looking for its latest owners.

10 acres of gardens, an indoor pool, tennis court and over 11,000 sq ft of space — and one of the most impressive ancient homes in open countryside south of Guildford.

For sale with Strutt & Parker. See more pictures and details for this property.

Norfolk — £2,250,000

An amazing location that's secluded and beautiful, a few miles inland from the coast at Sheringham.

The buildings - as you'll probably guess from the architecture — are a mix of ages, but nothing here is listed giving great scope (subject to permission) to do wonderful things in this 3.7 acre plot.

For sale with Savills. See more pictures and details for this property.

West Sussex — £2,875,000

What was once a small, stone cottage 192 years ago is now a beautiful and extensive country home in the charming village of Milland, in the rolling hills near Haslemere.

Eight bedrooms (depending on how you arrange things) as well as five reception rooms and a string of outbuildings are on offer here — this is a wonderful piece of property.

For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures and details for this property.

Buckinghamshire — £3,000,000

Paddocks, stables, barns and more are the main draw of this equestrian property near Stowe, with 70 acres of land and a very large four-bedroom house.

The house itself is relatively modern and could do with some — well, quite a lot of — updating, but the space and the flow is all just what you'd hope for.

For sale with Michael Graham. See more pictures and details for this property.

Kent — £2,250,000

A grade II-listed Georgian house just outside the M25 and close to the racing circuit at Brands Hatch.

The hallway alone is a joy which will surely prompt viewings of this effortlessly graceful home.

For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures and details for this property.

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Victoria Knight of Savills in Henley-on-Thames and Warmingham in Goring-on-Thames have re-launched handsome Prospect House in the Thames-side village of North Stoke — 2½ miles from Wallingford, four miles from Goring-on-Thames and 12 miles from Henley. They quote a guide price of £1.5m for the charming four/five bedroom house that was once the home of Dame Clara Butt, the world famous, 6ft 2in-tall English contralto singer who travelled the globe from the 1890s to the 1920s and died at North Stoke in 1936.

Unlisted, Prospect House is unmistakeably Georgian in style, although its origins are thought to be much older. It stands on the edge of this peaceful village, the main street of which is a no-through road lined with 16th- or 17th-century houses, with the ancient Ridgeway Path running through it as it follows the bank of the Thames from Goring and up into the Chilterns. On the north end of the village you will find a golf course bordering the river, part of the The Springs Golf Resort, which features a restaurant open to the public as well as golfers.

Acquired in 1999 by its current owner, who is looking to downsize, Prospect House was launched on the market last summer and, by August, had found an enthusiastic buyer who, for whatever reason, pulled the plug on the deal in November—a not infrequent occurrence in last year’s topsy-turvy market.

The house needs some gentle updating and offers 2,755sq ft of well-proportioned living space on two main floors, including a large sitting room, dining room, snug, kitchen and integral garage on the ground floor.

Upstairs is a master suite, two further bedrooms and a fourth bedroom /studio on the first floor; plus a fifth bedroom on the second floor.

It stands in a quarter of an acre of private garden, mostly laid to lawn with planted beds and borders and a variety of interesting trees. A terrace at the rear is ideal for alfresco dining. Located to the south are two separate period buildings, one a studio/home office with an integral wine store, the other a garden store with separate storage above.

Prospect House is for sale with Warmingham and Savills for a price of £1.5 million. For more information and pictures, click here.

Fancy following in the footsteps of the founder of the BBC? This Grade II*-listed house in the heart of Westminster is the former home of Lord Reith.

The Scot secured his position in the history books as the first general manager of the British Broadcasting Company in 1922. He went on to become the first director general when it became a corporation five years later.

The grand Georgian period property, known as Salutation House, is now on sale via Hamptons for £5,000,000.

Reith lived at the five-storey house on the corner of Barton Street and Cowley Street from 1924 until 1930. It's thought that he would record in the basement. And in a nod to formality, he would ask that all broadcasters should wear black tie at the house. A blue plaque for the property was unveiled in 1995 to honour Reith.

Built around 1722, Salutation House has had something of a double life. It used to be a pub — though it's hard to believe at first glance. In fact, it's thought to be one of the oldest examples still standing in Westminster. The house retains several original features. They include the pub entrance on the street, and the internal door and window that was used to form two rooms: one for the working class and one for the nobility, according to Hamptons.

At more than 4,000 sq ft, Salutation House is certainly not short on space and classic period charm. The wood-panelled dining room and elegant drawing room are grand, formal spaces to entertain. There’s also a study, a more informal and cosy kitchen, and an office that doubles up as a bedroom.

Further up the house, there’s four bedrooms and a kitchenette/living room. And on the lower ground floor, there’s a modern, self-contained, one-bedroom flat, alongside an incredibly well-stocked wine cellar. Does the collection of wine come with the house, we wonder?

Salutation House is tucked away in a sought-after corner of Westminster. The ‘small and exclusive enclave…offers a surprisingly tranquil setting’, says Hamptons.

Yet the property is within spitting distance of the world-famous Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. The top floor terrace offers enviable views of the corridors of power. If you sat quietly, might you be able to hear the roars from PMQs?

Salutation House is not the only property of note on Barton Street. A few doors down, another blue plaque commemorates  T E Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, who lived at 14 Barton Street between 1888 and 1935.

Salutation House is currently on the market via Hamptons for £5,000,000 — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.

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A Georgian gem has come to the market in the form of The Grange at Crawley Down, in West Sussex. Nestled in a village tucked away in the north-west corner of the county, and just a mile from the border with Surrey, it's listed with Hamptons for £5,950,000.

The house was originally built in about 1740 as a large manor house for a London silversmith, The Grange has been extensively refurbished to provide some 8,800sq ft of elegant accommodation on three floors, at the same time retaining many of its period features, including parquet floors, wood panelling and original fireplaces.

That said, the chances are that prospective buyers will be so bowled over by the hallway alone that they'll probably already be sold on the place.

With its parquet floor, columns, and gently curving staircase. the imposing galleried hallway is a real feature of this beautiful home.

The room leads through to a suite of south-facing reception rooms and an extended kitchen/breakfast room with four sets of French doors opening onto the garden terrace.

The formal dining room, drawing room, morning room, family room, billiard room, orangery and study are all located on this floor.

The first floor houses the principal bedroom suite, three further bedrooms and four bath/shower rooms, with a further four good bedrooms and two bath/shower rooms on the second floor.

Additional accommodation is provided in the two-bedroom garden cottage and the two-bedroom staff annexe.

The Grange sits in a magical woodland setting surrounded by 34 acres of pasture, parkland, ponds, lawns and formal planted gardens, and boasts extensive garaging and equestrian facilities, including a stable yard with six loose boxes, a feed store and tack room, and a 200ft by 182ft post-and-railed outdoor school.

The Grange is listed with Hamptons for £5,950,000.

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Best country houses for sale this week

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A grand Grade II-listed former rectory nestled in the Garden of England

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Located in the foothills of the Chilterns, three miles from Wallingford and nine miles from fashionable Henley-on-Thames, the historic village of Ewelme lies at the heart of a rich farming area where, in the 18th and 19th centuries, successive generations of prosperous yeomen farmers lived off the land and built comfortable, well-designed houses for themselves and their families.

One such example is handsome, Grade II-listed Goulds Grove, a four-square Georgian house, built in about 1827 and extended in 1926, set in 46 acres of gardens, park and farmland on high ground, a mile or so south of the village in an idyllic rural setting accessed by picturesque country lanes lined with hedgerows. It is currently listed for sale with Knight Frank and Savills at a guide price of ‘excess £6 million’.

Now known simply as Troy — a fact confirmed in amended listing details on July 8, 1986 — the property was owned by two generations of the same family until 2018, when the current owners bought, restored and upgraded it.

Troy’s most famous resident was the much-travelled writer and humorist, Jerome K Jerome, who lived at the house — described in his autobiography as ‘an old farmhouse on the hill above Wallingford’ — for 10 years or more in the late 1890s and early 1900s.

This followed his marriage in June 1888 and a honeymoon spent on a boat on the Thames, which provided the inspiration for Three Men in a Boat, by far his most successful work, which was published the following year.

Fame and fortune followed and Jerome became part of the literary establishment, forming close friendships with J. M. Barrie, H. G. Wells and Arthur Conan Doyle, to name but a few. A thespian in his youth, Jerome left his mark on Troy by adding two theatres that were subsequently repurposed by the previous owners for charitable performances.

In 1908, Jerome left the farmhouse and moved to the Thames-side town of Marlow, Buckinghamshire, where he lived for some years before his death in June 1927, when his ashes were buried in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church, Ewelme.

Troy, meanwhile, was extended in about 1926, when the house was joined to the nearby cottages and barns to create the west wing and courtyard.

Today, following a sensitive renovation project executed with flair and panache by London-based Alex Cochrane Architects, the main house provides 7,933sq ft of uncluttered living space on three floors.

There are four reception rooms, a family/games room, a brand-new kitchen/breakfast room, a wine cellar and stores, a principal bedroom suite, seven further bedrooms and four bathrooms.

Additional accommodation is available in the one-bedroom west-wing apartment; outbuildings include the theatre/games room, a barn, double garage, three stables, a tack room and wood store.

The gardens have also been transformed with the help of garden designer Todd Longstaffe-Gowan and they include a sunken garden and two thatched summer houses — one apparently used by Jerome as a writing retreat — set around a new heated swimming pool screened from view by thick hedging and shrubbery.

A tennis court, located across the front lawns to the south-west of the house, is hidden behind yew hedges and a variety of mature trees.

Troy in Oxfordshire is listed with Knight Frank and Savills at a guide price of ‘excess £6 million’. See more details and pictures. 

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Had a busy week? We know the feeling. So we’ve cherry picked five property-related things that have hit the news in recent days for you.

Buyers willing to pay chunky premium for a Georgian property

With their large windows, high ceilings, and grand fireplaces, Georgian properties can be hard to resist. So much so that buyers are prepared to fork out around a third more to live in one. The typical Georgian property in England is sold for £783,000, according to Yopa, the national estate agency. That’s £201,000, or 34.5%, more than the average £582,000 price tag for nearby homes with the same number of bedrooms. 

The most affordable place to buy a Georgian pile is, perhaps surprisingly, south west England, where they command a 31.6% premium. And they cost as much as 47.2% more than the wider housing market in the north east of England, where these period homes tend to be rarer. So if you’ve got your eye on a Georgian property, you’d better start saving…

Gloucestershire crowned England’s heritage hotspot

While we’re on the topic of period property, if you’re keen to boost your chances of buying one, then head south west. Because when it comes to the postcodes with the highest density of listed buildings, four out of the top five are in Gloucestershire, according to Jackson-Stops.

Average house prices in the top postcode, GL7, which covers Cirencester, jumped 21% in just 12 months, ‘making a compelling link between period homes and property values’, says the estate agent.

Asking prices in October rise at slowest rate since financial crisis

Autumn is an important selling season in the housing market. And average asking prices of homes put up for sale increased by just £1,950, or 0.5%, this month. To put that into context, that’s the smallest rise at this time of year since 2008, and ‘well below’ the historic norm of 1.4% for October, according to Rightmove.

The number of sales agreed is 17% below this time last year. But on a more upbeat note, the level of buyers enquiring about homes on the market is 8% higher than the more normal pre-pandemic housing market of 2019.

An interesting nugget for wannabe sellers: the Rightmove data suggests that if a home receives its first buyer enquiry on the first day of being marketed for sale, rather than after a fortnight, it is 60% more likely to be snapped up.

Sold prices nudge up in August

Now for the most concrete, if slightly historic, house price data. The UK House Price Index is based on what people actually paid for their homes and includes all purchases, made with cash and mortgages. 

And it shows that average UK house prices increased by 0.2% in the 12 months to August, down from 0.7% in July. It means that the typical house price stood at £291,000, similar to a year ago, but £9,000 up from the recent low point in March. 

Jeremy Leaf, north London estate agent and a former RICS residential chairman, says: 'The figures show resilience at a time of great turbulence for the market on the back of rising mortgage rates.’

Homeowners who rebuild their property ‘could pay dividends in the long run’

The number of homes that have been knocked down has increased by 3.7% over the last year, according to estate agent comparison website GetAgent.co.uk.

Demolitions have become less common over the last decade. Just 5,680 homes were torn down across England last year. That’s a 53% drop on 10 years ago, when 12,195 homes were flattened.

Colby Short, co-founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, reckons that demolishing your home and starting from scratch ‘could pay dividends in the long run’.

'While the cost of rebuilding a home has climbed at a similar rate to the price of the average new-build home over the last year, the overall cost of doing so does come in significantly cheaper than the cost of buying new,’ he explains.

'This is no doubt a contributing factor to the uptick in demolitions over the last year, with many homeowners simply unable to take the next step up the ladder due to the pandemic boom in house prices.'

Considered to be ‘one of the finest and most interesting Grade I-listed Georgian residences in London’, Walpole House is set in a supreme location on Chiswick Mall, within the Old Chiswick Conservation Area.

Today, the property is classed as ‘the largest and most complex’ house on the Mall and it arrives onto the market via Knight Frank and Savills with a guide price of £16.5 million.

As well as river views to the front (and river access), it enjoys an enchanting vista of the expansive Grade II-listed walled gardens to the rear.

The seven-bedroom home is of Tudor origins, but was refronted in 1730 and has been the home of many notable folk, including Barbara Villiers, mistress of Charles II, the Hon Thomas Walpole (nephew of Sir Robert) and, most recently, the conservation architect Jeremy Benson.

Despite the home’s prestigious history, the interiors have been tastefully and carefully modernised and are host to a wealth of reception areas over its four floors.

Internally, pared-back minimalism takes centre stage, allowing the home’s large sash windows to fill the spaces with snippets of river, trees and plenty of light.

Across the lower ground floor you’ll find a good sized cellar, a second kitchen, utility, gym and steam room.

The elegant reception rooms and principal bedroom are laid out across the ground and first floor, with the remaining bedrooms, family-style sitting room and kitchenette on the second floor.

The L-shaped gardens are also immaculate, containing lawned areas, a tree-lined avenue, borders, hedges, mature trees and a well-sized water feature.

Just six miles from Mayfair, this is prime London living with a country house feel.

Walpole House is currently on the market via Savills and Knight Frank with a guide price of £16.5 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

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Arriving to the market for the first time in 25 years, this property forms part of Pier Head, two elegant terraces of Georgian houses, overlooking the River Thames.

Set within the Pier Head Conservation Area, the property — now on the market via Savills with a guide price of £2.95 million — is a unique chance to own a slice of London’s history in an idyllic riverside location.

In the early 19th century, John Rennie’s London Docks in Wapping was completed and given a 21-year monopoly of all imports of tobacco, rice, wine and brandy (except for those from the ‘East’ and ‘West Indies’).

Such an importation of wealth required the construction of two dock officials’ houses on either side to the entrance, which have remained unchanged for almost 200 years. They were designed by architect Daniel Asher Alexander and built in 1811.

One of the houses contained within has come to the market for the first time in 25 years, offering buyers the chance to own a slice of history by living in a Grade II-listed freehold house, with four bedrooms and more than 2,000sq ft of living space by the Thames.

This versatile home benefits from eight main rooms spread over four floors, as well as a generous attic, roof terrace (with views of the River Thames and Oliver’s Wharf) and rear patio.

Plenty of original features remain, such as high ceilings, sash windows, fireplaces and an open-well staircase.

Buyers will also benefit from the generous riverside garden, (which was transformed into a garden in 1969 after the closure of the London Docks) which is privately owned and maintained by the residents’ management company, as well as a beach that is revealed twice a day at low tide.

The property is located on a garden square in Wapping with Tower Bridge and St Katharine Docks situated just half a mile away.

There are plenty of riverside walks to enjoy, pubs, restaurants, historic cobbled street and interesting architecture to soak up. Access to Canary Wharf (under three miles) and The City (just under two miles) can be gained via foot, bus or train.

The Georgian Property in Pier Head is currently on the market via Savills with a guide price of £2.95 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details. 

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Gloucestershire — £2,250,000

Carpenters Cottage is a delightful Cotswold stone cottage believed to date back to the 17th century.

This three-bedroom home is in the village of Little Barrington, four miles from Burford.

For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures and details for this property.

Bedfordshire — £2,250,000

A Grade II* listed medieval house set in over six acres, including the remains of a moat and far reaching countryside views.

There is over 5,400 sq ft of space, including six bedrooms and four reception rooms.

For sale with Michael Graham. See more pictures and details for this property.

Oxfordshire — £2,950,000

A four-bedroom home in the village of Rotherfield Greys, near Henley-on-Thames, sitting in almost 10 acres of land.

There are all sorts of interesting features — including an Indian slate tiled floor that runs through to the conservatory dining room and kitchen — and permission is in place to add a snug and study, among other things.

For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures and details for this property.

West Sussex — £5,250,000

A delightful home dating to the turn of the 19th century, in an elevated position above the river Rother and within the South Downs National Park.

Renovated in 2006 and with plenty of space — not least in the charming drawing room, which is approximately 25 ft by 22 ft.

For sale with Savills. See more pictures and details for this property.

Dorset — £6,250,000

This truly beautiful Georgian home near Gillingham, Dorset — not to be confused with Gillingham, Kent — is set well back off a quiet, no-through lane in a setting looking out over beautiful and unspoilt countryside.

There are beautifully proportioned rooms, high ceilings and tall sash windows that take in the vista across the formal gardens towards the unspoilt Stour Valley.

For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures and details for this property.

Surrey — £1,850,000

A 16th century home of enormous charm, with a late 20th century kitchen extensio designed by the highly regarded architect Ian Adam-Smith.

There are five bedrooms in total, two of them on the second floor — ideal for teenagers needing a little space from the rest of the family.

For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures and details for this property.

Surrey — £2,500,000

A 3,500sq ft house in the Surrey Hills, with beautiful views and delightful gardens.

There are five bedrooms, five reception rooms and a separate annexe - ideal as home office or home gym

For sale with Strutt & Parker. See more pictures and details for this property.

Many of Devon’s finest country houses are owned by a handful of large hereditary landowners and will never be sold. However, it’s a feature of the country-house scene that, once a grand house is sold away from its surrounding estate, it tends to come back on the market at regular intervals.

Such a property is Warnicombe House, three miles from Tiverton, a handsome, Grade II-listed Georgian family house, which has been launched to the market via Country Life, at a guide price of £3.375m through the Exeter office of Knight Frank.

Warnicombe House stands in 5¼ acres of landscaped and walled gardens, orchards and woodland, with wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. The house, which is in excellent order throughout, offers more than 6,500sq ft of light and cheerful living space on three floors.

There are four main reception rooms, a large country kitchen, eight bedrooms and four bathrooms.

Traditional outbuildings house a workshop, gym and stores, alongside a courtyard garden with a garden store and dog shower.

The country idyll is completed by a heated outdoor swimming pool and a stone terrace for lazy outdoor dining.

The location is also noteworthy. Mid Devon’s largest market town, Tiverton, the name of which means ‘a town on two fords’, is situated at the confluence of the rivers Exe and Lowman, within the scenic landscape of the Devon Redlands, 16 miles due north of Exeter. Tiverton was an important centre of the wool trade in the 16th century and many of the town’s finest buildings were built by wealthy clothiers, among them Blundell’s grammar school, founded under the will of Peter Blundell in 1604 and now a highly rated independent school with strong links to colleges in Oxford and Cambridge.

Good houses within easy reach of Blundell’s are notoriously hard to find and the location of Warnicombe House just over 1½ miles from the school gates, will be a huge draw for parents of children taking up places there in 2023.

This was also part of its attraction for the current vendors, who bought the house, previously owned by the Carew family, in May 2013 and, having educated their three children at Blundell’s, are now moving to Dulverton on the Devon/Somerset border.

 Warnicombe House is for sale at £3.375m through Knight Frank — see more details and pictures.

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Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Not to be confused with the Cornish town of the same name, St Ives, in Cambridgeshire, is a riverside Medieval market town that was once home to Oliver Cromwell. It is reported that Cromwell lived in St Ives between the years 1631 to 1636 and local history states that he owned a farm on the site where Green End House now stands.

The farm was used by Cromwell to train his troops; there was also a barn on the site known (perhaps a little unimaginatively) as ‘Oliver Cromwell’s Barn’. Unfortunately, the barn was demolished in the 1960’s — but in its place stands Green End House.

Arriving on the market via Cheffins with a guide price of £1.25 million, Green End House is a pleasingly symmetrical, five bed Georgian property that offers lots of versatile accommodation set amongst established, private grounds.

Set over three stories, the property extends to about 3,600 sq. ft with generous reception rooms and a lovely kitchen that flows into a snug/family room.

On the first floor you’ll find three, almost identically-sized bedrooms – two of which are ensuite, plus a large family bathroom with a roll-top bath. Following the stairs up to the second floor are a further two bedrooms and a shared bathroom.

Aside from sections of wall paper that look like it’s doing its best impression at mimicking an optical illusion, there is little else that needs to be done to Green End House. The interiors are presented to a wonderfully high standard — natural oak flooring, sash windows and decorative cornicing abound many of the rooms.

The gardens and outdoor space at the property are not to be overlooked. To the front of the house, automatic wooden gates reveal a long driveway flanked by meticulously-kept landscaped gardens that lead into an extensive courtyard/parking area; and to the side of the property is a former barn which has been converted into a two bay garage and storage area.

The enclosed rear gardens are one of the stand-out features here. A large paved terrace near to the house is perfect for al fresco dining, whilst the brick wall that runs around the grounds offers plenty of privacy and seclusion from the outside world.

The market town of St Ives offers an extensive range of shops, recreational and schooling facilities, as well as excellent commuting access as the A14 is within easy reach.

On Mondays and Fridays, the town comes alive with market stalls, or for those wishing to explore the River Ouse that runs through the centre, you can hire boats or simply sit back and relax at one of the many river-side pubs.

Oliver Cromwell and his troops may be long gone, but the accommodation and setting of Green End House provide the perfect family home in a lovely corner of Cambridgeshire.

Green End House is currently on the market via Cheffins with a guide price of £1.25 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details. 

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

For sale through the Canterbury office of Strutt & Parker for the fourth time in as many decades, Grade II*-listed The Old Rectory, in the charming small village of Wickhambreaux, six miles east of the cathedral city, is a picture-perfect example of a classic Queen Anne country house.

Once part of extensive estates owned in the 14th century by Joan, Countess of Kent (wife of Edward, the Black Prince, and mother of Richard II) Wickhambreaux still retains its medieval layout, with the Grade I- listed, 13th-century church of St Andrew, the manor house, rectory, village inn and former watermill encircling the village green.

Selling agent Simon Backhouse, who has handled all four sales in the course of his long and distinguished career, quotes a guide price of £4.25 million for the exquisite former rectory, built in 1713 by the Revd Alexander Young, who was rector from 1712 to 1755.

Previously known as Wickham House and widely recognised as one of the finest early-18th-century houses in East Kent, The Old Rectory stands in more than an acre of gardens and grounds overlooking the church and mill.

The house provides more than 5,500sq ft of elegant accommodation on four floors, including four main reception rooms, a study, kitchen/dining room, eight bedrooms and three bathrooms.

In 2012, The Old Rectory was acquired by the architect and interior designer Giles Newby Vincent, who set about removing the ‘spaghetti junction’ of downpipes that disfigured its outer walls, as a result of which the house was swathed in scaffolding for quite some time, Mr Backhouse recalls.

Newby Vincent completed the reinstatement of the exterior to its pristine original by replacing cement pointing with lime-mortar render and filling the interior with Queen Anne and Georgian antiques. These fetched more than £500,000 at Bonhams in 2014, when the designer decided to sell The Old Rectory to fund the restoration of a dilapidated villa in Saint-Tropez, France.

The present owner, who bought the classic Queen Anne gem with its symmetrical façades that same year, has cleverly transformed the interior without losing its essential Georgian character.

Outside, the partly walled garden is a place of sanctuary. A renovated groom’s cottage — behind which the swimming pool and tennis court are discreetly located — doubles as an entertaining space, one of many scattered throughout the beautifully maintained grounds.

The Old Rectory is for sale via Strutt & Parker at £4.25m — see more details and pictures.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Credit: H Tiddy

12 stunning character properties for sale at under £400,000

Thatched homes in Cornwall and West Sussex are among the many highlights of these gorgeous character cottages for sale.

Think of a local charity effort or initiative you’ve heard in your area, and keep it in your mind. Got one? Great. We’re guessing that it most likely involves donations of old clothes and bric-a-brac, bake sales or sponsored walks, runs or parachute jumps.

All of which are great, and to be applauded — but a couple of centuries ago, things looked a little different: Rolle House, which we’re looking at today, was originally built as a charity school that was gifted to the village of East Tytherley. Today, it’s for sale via the Winchester office of Savills, which quotes a guide price of £4.85m for this pretty, Grade II*-listed house.

Rolle House is a classic early-Georgian house set in almost 27 acres of gardens, parkland, pasture and woodland on the edge of the Test Valley, halfway between the cathedral cities of Salisbury and Winchester. And while it’s now a home, it was originally a school gifted to the village by Sarah Rolle, whose family owned the Manor of Tytherley from 1654 until 1801.

Rolle House was converted into a private house in the 1920s, since when it has had four owners. Ironically, the house has outlasted the grand, 17th-century manor house that was the home of the Rolles and their successors. As their fortunes waned it fell into disrepair and was demolished in the early 1900s.

Rolle House, by contrast, looks as good as it ever has — and no doubt better than the days in which it was used as an educational establishment. In recent years, the entire property has been the subject of an extensive scheme of restoration and improvement.

These works have included the addition of a large kitchen/breakfast room, the conversion of a barn to create two cottages, and the construction of a new swimming pool and pool house.

The main house now offers more than 6,900sq ft of bright and cheerful living space, including a reception hall, five reception rooms, a kitchen/breakfast/family room, six bedrooms and six bathrooms.

The grounds are just as impressive: sweeping lawns, well-kept borders, orchard and mature trees, as well as pastureland, woodland and a walled garden — and as well the aforementioned pool, there's also a tennis court.

This much space also brings with it a real sense of occasion for visitors: as you approach the house along the main driveway, there is a wonderful view of the main façade. The children who once learned here were lucky indeed, as will the new owners be when they take the keys.

Rolle House is for sale via Savills at £4.95 million. See more pictures and details.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

In 1934, the Scandinavian architect Steen Eiler Rasmussen (1898–1990) published his classic, London: The Unique City, a deeply researched and subtle appreciation of London’s Georgian planning, layout and architecture, much of which was sadly to be lost or spoilt in subsequent decades.

Many of the buildings he described and illustrated have been destroyed, but his book is still in print and widely regarded as a classic of urban history. It is the best social and architectural analysis of London’s modern reincarnation and the development of its distinctive urban forms: low-rise, spreading, green with numerous garden squares, well planned according to building regulations introduced after the Great Fire of 1666 and codified in a series of three 18th-century building acts. They defined the width of streets and the height of buildings, prescribed building materials and enforced construction and fire-prevention standards. But they left the detailed design to individual builder-developers, architects and surveyors working for ground landlords such as the ‘Woods and Forests’ (Crown Estates), the Grosvenors, Bedfords, Portlands (now Howard de Waldens), Portmans, Sloanes (later Cadogans), through City livery companies and charities, down to small speculators, including the builder-architect Edward Shepherd in Mayfair, who developed the market behind Piccadilly that still bears his name.

The result was a sensibly planned, visually harmonious and well-proportioned layout with uniform Classical, but understated streets and squares (their proportions based on the Orders even when astylar), superb Baroque and Palladian churches (which carried on the architectural baton of 17th-century Rome in Protestant guise), as well as gardens with stately plane trees. Most of it was composed of terraced houses (in three grades, from gentry to artisans), but interspersed in the West End with about 40 aristocratic town palaces of great architectural distinction.

The most notable were Robert Adam’s Lansdowne House; Norfolk House with Rococo interiors by Giovanni Battista Borra, worthy of royal Turin; William Kent’s noble Devonshire House; Lord Chesterfield’s eponymous house with a colonnaded forecourt terminating an axis from Hyde Park; and Spencer House, with the earliest neo-Classical interiors in Europe. Only the latter survives.

Nor were distinguished public buildings lacking, from Kent’s Horse Guards, Gibbs’s St Bartholomew’s Hospital, Chambers’s Somerset House and Soane’s Bank of England to George IV’s Metropolitan Improvements and Smirke’s Grecian British Museum.

The key idea of Rasmussen’s book is that Georgian London was radically different from other European capitals where grandiose plans and architecture were dictated by absolute monarchies (including the Catholic Church). Rasmussen understood and celebrated the fact that Georgian London was the creation not of the state, but of a culturally aware and well-educated population that shared a common classic aesthetic.

He thought the planning and architecture of London should embody the British concept of constitutional monarchy, the entrepreneurialism of a sophisticated, visually informed aristocracy and a large, well-educated and prosperous professional and mercantile class. (Half the population of Georgian England was comprised of those three groups; what now would be called the upper and middle classes). He saw it as a model of urbanism, where a city’s future could be decisively influenced by self-reliant and ‘culturally educated citizens without dependence on the public sector’. (Nobody grasped that as a result of the Industrial Revolution, worldwide trade and explosive population growth, the visually aware section of England and the capital’s population had shrunk, as a proportion of the whole, after the 18th century.)

Although sophisticated 20th-century European critics, such as Rasmussen or Pevsner, admired London’s architectural beauties and were drawing contemporary lessons for cohesive social planning and aesthetically pleasing modern development from London’s Georgian townscape, many of its own citizens and most of its public sector were more influenced by a crude version of American capitalism, which saw the historic fabric not as a socially cohesive and aesthetically beautiful artefact, but as an opportunity for profitable short-term business speculation. There was mass urban destruction between the 1930s and 1960s, of which only a small part was due directly to the Blitz.

The ruination could have been worse if a heroic fight back had not gained traction and halted the demolition after 1970. Regent’s Park, Islington, some of Bloomsbury, all of Belgravia, parts of Kennington and Westminster (especially Covent Garden and southern Mayfair) survived by the skin of their teeth and were restored, but much was lost.

Soane’s Bank of England, George Rennie’s Waterloo Bridge, Adam’s Adelphi, Nash’s Regent Street, nearly all the aristocratic town houses, the east side of Berkeley Square, chunks of Park Lane, the Foundling Hospital, the northern part of the Bedford estate, including Woburn and Tavistock Squares (after sales for death duties), all except three of the houses by the Adams and Wyatts in Portman Square, even Athenian Stuart’s Montagu (Portman) House, were torn down.

This shameful destruction was unique to London. In Paris, Rome and Vienna, the town palaces became embassies or museums in the 20th century, whereas the general fabric of the centro histórico was protected by strong state ordinances: the Committee for Paris (instituted in the 1870s), in the case of the French capital, or laws dating back to the 16th century in the case of papal Rome. The very freedoms, individuality and flexible planning that created Georgian London turned out to be its nemesis.

Without strong government-imposed preservation laws, there was nothing to halt the architectural ravages. Ruskin and William Morris had pioneered the cultural conservation movement in the 1860s and 1870s. The Ancient Monuments Protection Act of 1910 initiated state preservation of historic buildings in England (on the model of that in British India), but the 1910 Act, administered through the Ministry of Works, and bodies such as SPAB (founded by Morris) were only concerned with buildings from before the reign of Queen Anne.

Georgian was ‘modern’ and of ‘no historic interest’, leaving a large open goal, until the Georgian Group was founded as a breakaway from SPAB in 1937. ‘Antiquarian prejudice’ was exacerbated by the Modern movement in architecture, which preferred a tabula rasa and thought ‘restoration’, or concern for the historic townscape, was ‘pastiche’ or ‘socially irrelevant’. Concrete, Soviet-style, high-rise, proletarian housing was better than old terraces.

The poor calibre of local government in the boroughs must also bear some of the blame, but there was an exception in the London City Council (LCC; Greater London Council after 1965), which, from its beginning in the 1890s, was not a philistine body, but operated from a Classical palace (diametrically opposite the Gothic Palace of Westminster) with malachite urns given by the Tsar in its Council Chamber and marble fireplaces given by the King and government of Italy in its entrance hall, as well as an excellent reference library for the council members on the piano nobile.

The LCC Historic Buildings Committee, under the initial direction of C. R. Ashbee (also responsible for the conservation of Chipping Campden and Jerusalem), supported the Survey of London, an unparalleled history of a great city, which served as a historical record and a tool for preservation. The Survey, unlike the Ministry of Works or SPAB, always appreciated Georgian buildings.

The LCC acquired historic places for preservation, such as the Geffrye Museum in Shoreditch (1906) or Trinity Almshouses in Mile End, and systematically photographed 18th-century buildings. The Historic Buildings Committee came into its own after the Second World War, when listing of historic buildings was introduced. It was an unlikely part of the LCC Architect’s (not Planning) Department, especially when Walter Ison (1908–97), an architect-pupil of Verity and historian of Bath who first moved to preserve Spitalfields in 1952, and then Ashley Barker (an AA-trained architect who instigated the preservation of Notting Hill) became successive Surveyors of Historic Buildings.

In 1954, Francis Sheppard (1921–2018) became general editor of the Survey of London, enhancing its scholarly calibre with volumes on Georgian Soho, St James’s, Covent Garden and the Grosvenor estate. They provided a strong research underpinning for proactive preservation. The committee itself was given clout by the co-option of outside luminaries, such as Summerson, Betjeman and Osbert Lancaster. It tipped the balance towards the preservation of whole swathes of London’s historic fabric. The 1967 Civic Amenities Act, which made listed-building consent for demolition mandatory, halted the destruction from after 1970. No significant Georgian buildings have been demolished in London during the past 55 years.

London has never been this quiet in 2,000 years — here's what it looks like, and what we can learn

In all of its 2,000-year history, it seems unlikely that the City of London has ever stood so silent as

On the edge of the village of Foulden near Berwick-upon-Tweed, Church House and its one-acre garden enjoy far-reaching views over the Berwickshire countryside to the Cheviots and Eildon Hills beyond.

The seven-bedroom property doesn’t come with fishing rights, but its location means it’s within easy reach of the River Tweed — one of the finest for salmon fishing — as well as the Rivers Whiteadder and Till.

On the market via Strutt & Parker with a guide price of £700,000, Church House showcases refined Georgian features, with large sash windows, tall ceilings and original fireplaces noted throughout.

All the rooms are well proportioned and tastefully decorated, allowing the chance for buyers to move in without any major works required; except in the kitchen, which could benefit from a little modernisation.

Built in 1772 with early 19th century additions, the former manse house has, up until now, run as a successful self-catering holiday accommodation business, and future buyers have the option to continue down that path should they so wish.

With more than 3,400 sq. ft of accommodation on offer in Church House, there is also a stretch of stone outbuildings adjacent to the property that measure 66ft in total.

The village of Foulden lies in the southeast corner of Berwickshire, about 12 miles from Whiteadder Water, which proves a popular location for sailing, fishing, open water swimming and other watersports. Berwick-upon-Tweed — just five miles to the southeast — offers a comprehensive range of shops, restaurants and wider facilities.

The surrounding area is a haven for anyone who loves the outdoors — from fishing to mountain biking, stunning coastal walks and fantastic beaches, Church House offers the chance to live in a delightful house, in a truly idyllic location.

Church House is currently on the market via Strutt & Parker with a guide price of £700,000 — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details. 

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Red-bricked, sashed-windowed and pleasingly symmetrical, Fittleton House is, from the outside, everything good about Georgian architecture.

The seven-bed former rectory is just as lovely internally, too, where tall ceilings, well-proportioned rooms and a number of open fires and wood burners join together to create a classic, tasteful home.

Believed to date from 1742, with an early 19^th century wing located in the south, Fittleton House arrives on the market — for the first time in nearly 80 years — via Savills with a guide price of £2.5 million.

Neighbouring the village’s 13^th century church, the initials ‘R.M.J 1742’ are inscribed on a first floor window key and are thought to reference Robert Merchant, who was the Rector from 1731-1773 as well as President of Magdalen College in Oxford.

Now 279 years later, the Grade II listed house is a testament to the time in which it was built, with ‘graciously proportioned’ rooms. Of particular note is the large wine cellar and elegant drawing room, with its floor-to-ceiling 15-paned windows which overlook the spectacular walled garden outside.

The agents note that the garden is ‘an absolute haven of tranquillity’, formed of lawn, herbaceous borders and a secluded stone terrace to the south. The wider grounds are where you’ll find a vegetable garden, fruit cages, a greenhouse and an area of woodland and orchard that runs down to a small winterbourne.

The 300 square miles of chalk plateau that span across Wiltshire and in parts of Hampshire is home to perhaps the most recognisable, mysterious and famous prehistoric monument: Stonehenge. The village of Fittleton lies on the outer borders of the Salisbury Plain — just under nine miles north of Stonehenge — within a Conservation Area, and is home to just 17 houses and a quaint 13^th century church.

Day-to-day amenities can be found in the neighbouring village of Netheravon, with its primary school, pub, village shop, post office, garage and brewery. Amesbury is just five miles south of the village and the Cathedral city of Salisbury is 13.5 miles directly to the south with its wide range of shops, restaurants and recreational facilities.

Netheravon All Saints C of E Primary School is the local primary, but there are plenty of other options — both state and private — including Dauntsey’s School, Marlborough College, Warminster School and Salisbury Cathedral School.

Transport links are fantastic, with trains running from Pewsey to London Paddington in approximately 60 minutes and the A303 just a few miles down the road, linking to the southwest and the M3.

The area is known for its excellent fishing on the River Avon (closed over the winter months); golfing at Tidworth, Upavon and High Post; and racing at Salisbury Racecourse and Wincanton.

Littleton House is currently on the market via Savills with a guide price of £2.5 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details. 

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

The picturesque conservation village of Winterborne St Martin — better known as Martinstown — stands either side of the River South Winterborne and the B3159, which follows the river through the village. This is idyllic Hardy country: in the heart of the Dorset AONB, just 3½ miles from the county town of Dorchester, and in an area of rich pasture that has been settled and farmed since pre-Roman times.

At the western gateway to the village stands West End House, a classic Georgian country house built in 1787 and set in 35 acres of formal and walled gardens, woodland and fields with panoramic views over the surrounding Dorset countryside.

Currently for sale through Savills at a guide price of £3.95m, West End House — which is unlisted — boasts large windows with thin sash bars, stone sills and lintels and original shutters and, even on a dull day, is bathed in light, says selling agent George Nares.

The handsome, 5,055sq ft main house has been beautifully renovated and maintained by its present owners, who bought it in 2005.

The accommodation comprises four main reception rooms, including a double-length drawing room overlooking the walled garden, a large kitchen/breakfast room, various offices, six bedrooms and three bathrooms.

It comes with a three-bedroom cottage and outbuildings such as a garage and barn.

The gardens and grounds are a delightful mix of formal and informal planting, with colourful borders, large expanses of lawn, sculpted hedges and ancient trees, including a splendid copper beech.

Of particular note is the south-facing walled garden, with its terraced borders and lawn, ornamental trees and landscaped box hedging enclosed by a stone wall.

West End House is for sale via Savills at £3.95 million — see more details and pictures.

Also in the area

Just a few miles away, but a more different property you couldn't imagine: this is a three-bedroom penthouse apartment in the centre of Dorchester, overlooking Pavilion Green, designed by none other than Ben Pentreath. It's for sale with Savills, listed at £1.7m.

If you'd rather be down on the coast, an intriguing home is for sale in Weymouth: a property for which the phrase 'three-bed semi' doesn't really start to explain what's on offer. It's a late-19th century church that's been converted into two homes. This one — with 2,175 sq ft — is for sale via Stags at £795,000.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Back in November 2015, the picturesque village of Earls Colne in the scenic Colne Valley, 3 1/2 miles from Halstead and 10 miles from Colchester, was adjudged the 'Best in Essex' in a Country Life survey of commuter hotspots within easy access of the City of London. The same survey saw Grade II-listed Colne Priory, set in 24 acres of immaculate gardens and grounds on the banks of the River Colne, judged Earls Colne’s best address.

Now for sale through Strutt & Parker and Knight Frank at a guide price of £7 million, the imposing, red-brick country house is still clearly the best house in the village thanks to an inspirational renovation.

Colne Priory offers more than 14,600sq ft of sumptuous accommodation on three levels, including entrance and reception halls and four main reception rooms.

Elsewhere on the ground floor is a large kitchen/breakfast room, billiard room, cinema and gym.

There are six bedroom suites on the first floor, while on the lower ground floor you’ll find a staff flat and cellars.

Ancillary buildings include a cottage, stabling, car museum/party barn, greenhouse/conservatory, workshops and extensive storage. Amenities include a tennis court, swimming pool, large lake and beautifully maintained gardens and grounds with extended lawn areas where the last remnants of the medieval priory can still be seen.

The house as it is today was built in about 1825 in the Strawberry Hill Gothic style for Henry Holgate Carwardine. It was the last of a series of manor houses built on the site of a Benedictine priory founded by the de Vere family, Earls of Oxford, in the early 12th century, the remains of which lie buried under lawn in the grounds of Colne Priory and are designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Following the dissolution of the medieval Colne Priory in 1536, its land and buildings were granted to John de Vere, 15th Earl of Oxford, who demolished the priory church and built a manor house on the site. In 1583, the 17th Earl, Edward de Vere, a notorious spendthrift, sold the manor of Earls Colne to his steward, Roger Harlakenden, whose son, Richard, bought the adjoining manor of Colne Priory in 1592.

Colne Priory remained in the Harlakenden family until 1672, when it passed by marriage to the Androwes family and later, in the early 18th century, to one John Wale, who demolished what remained of the medieval buildings and remodelled the old de Vere house in about 1740, reputedly furnishing it with ‘chimney pieces made from the ruinated tombs of the Oxfords’.

That house survived for another 100 years before passing, by marriage and inheritance, to Henry Holgate Cawardine, who demolished the house built by Wale, incorporating parts of it within his new Colne Priory.

The house was extended in the late 19th century and again by the current owners, who bought Colne Priory as their family home in 2007 and are now looking to downsize.

Colne Priory is for sale through Strutt & Parker and Knight Frank at a guide price of £7 million — see more details and pictures.

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The indispensable guide for getting into the country without ending up out of touch with the town.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Found just three miles from the Jurassic Coast and the Lulworth Cove UNESCO World Heritage Site stands Winfrith house, in all its Georgian glory. The Grade II listed property is situated at the heart of the popular village of Winfrith Newburgh, behind a tall brick wall which Pevsner described as being ‘recklessly high.’

Built in the 18^th century with further additions added throughout the 19^th and 20^th centuries, the property now finds itself on the market via Savills with a guide price of £2.5 million. It is the perfect example of a classic Georgian building, the grade A student if you will, with well-proportioned rooms with tall ceilings, sash windows, decorative plasterwork and many working fireplaces (including an ‘Adam’ style fireplace in the dining room).

From the approach, the house gives off a regal charm — a classic portico juts out from the red brick façade, which is laden with mature wisteria and a combination of shrubs and climbing roses.

Accommodation is generous and spacious. Downstairs you’ll find a study, drawing room, dining room, sitting room and a large kitchen/breakfast room which runs along the far right-hand side of the house. Here, a two-oven, indigo-blue Aga sits in the centre of the room, surrounding which are hand-painted timber cabinets and a large stone worktop.

Plenty of light floods this space, with windows on three sides and glazed doors which open up to the terrace outside. Another door leads to a secondary staircase — believed to be original — which links to two bedrooms, as well as the wine cellar in the basement and cloakroom on the ground floor.

There are seven bedrooms in total, with the potential to turn a small upstairs study into an eighth room. The master suite enjoys bay windows, a dressing room and en-suite, whilst the others are equally well-proportioned.

The gardens match the elegance of the house, are were carefully curated by the present owners and garden designer Jane Hurst. The outside space is predominantly formed using a series of ‘rooms’ which are interlinked via a lavender walkway. Set in just over two acres, the gardens comprise of a terrace, formal lawns, croquet lawn, a swimming pool and tennis court, mature trees, a pergola and a parterre garden.

There are also a number of brick-built outbuildings which sit along the northern boundary wall. These are currently used as a potting shed, a double garage (situated opposite the remnants of an 18^th century, listed gatehouse), garden store, a pool plant room and former ‘well room’.

It is everything you would expect from a house of this age and stature, and combined with the sublime gardens, would make for an exceptional family home in a great corner of the country.

Winfrith House is currently on the market via Savills with a guide price of £2.5 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details. 

Winfrith Newburgh: What you need to know

Location: In the Dorset AONB, just three miles from the coast and Lulworth Cove. Dorchester is about 10 miles away and rail services run from Wool and Moreton.

Atmosphere: Known as Winfrith, the highly-renowned village is home to an award-winning village shop and post office, a primary school and pub. Both Dorchester and Wareham offer a wider range of amenities and supermarkets.

Things to do: The village is known thanks to its close proximity to the Jurassic Coast and the geological wonder, Lulworth Cove. Scenery is spectacular and there are many walks along the South West Coast Path to enjoy the view. The beaches are beautiful and sailing/watersports is available from Weymouth and Poole.

Schools: Wool Church of England Primary School and Lulworth and Winfrith C of E Primary School are both good local primary options. For secondary, there's the Purbeck School. There are also a number of excellent independent schools, with Sunninghill Prep, Bryanston, Milton Abbey and Sherborne.

See more property for sale in the area.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Within the Lake District National Park proper, James Denne of Knight Frank in Melrose seeks ‘offers in excess of £2.25 million’ for another Georgian gem, the Grade II-listed Broadgate House, which stands in 1¾ acres of private gardens and pasture surrounded by the scenic wooded landscape of the surrounding Broadgate Estate, three miles from the pretty village of Broughton-in-Furness and 10 miles from Coniston.

Broadgate House is a classic example of the handsome houses built in the Lake District during the first quarter of the 19^th century, this one on the occasion of the marriage of John Lewthwaite and Nancy Birkbank in 1820. The house has been in Lewthwaite family ownership ever since and is now on the market for the first time in its history.

Its position to the east of Black Combe Fell provides panoramic views of the Duddon Estuary, described by Wordsworth as: ‘Majestic Duddon, over smooth flat sands / Gliding in silence with unfettered sweep.’

Built of rendered stone under a slate roof, Broadgate House is full of charm and character, with a wealth of original interior features including an elegant staircase, large doorways, fine cornicing, working shutters and generous proportions throughout.

Now in need of what Mr Denne calls ‘a generational face-lift’, the 8,443sq ft house has four reception rooms, a kitchen, cellar, 10 bedrooms and five bathrooms, plus outbuildings and an old laundry and apple store with potential for conversion to self-contained secondary accommodation.

Broadgate House is currently on the market via Knight Frank for offers over £2.25 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details. 

Thwaites: What you need to know

Location: Near the Duddon Valley, on the edge of the Duddon Estuary in the Lake District National Park.

Atmosphere: The River Duddon runs through the small village, which is home to a large church. There are several hotels and lodges in the area, and day-to-day amenities can be found in the nearby coastal town of Millom.

Things to do: Visit Millom to get a taste of the coastal town's mining past, or head to the nearby village of Haverigg for its sandy beaches. The Lake District National Park offers fantastic walking, trekking and scrambling routes, suitable for all levels and is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the country.

Schools: The local primary, Thwaites School, 'requires improvement', according to Ofsted reviews, as does Millom School. There are some excellent options in the wider area, however, with Sedbergh School, Windemere School and Lime House School.

See more property for sale in the area.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Grade II-listed Blenheim House, in the village of Warborough, not far from market town Wallingford, has long been a much cherished family home.

A mixture of two 18th-century cottages, combined with a Victorian hexagonal tower in 1910 and another hexagonal wing added in 1912, the result is an airy six-bedroom property, with a lovely drawing room and dining room, both of which open into the garden, a west-facing conservatory and a lantern roof flooding the upper floor with natural light.

The property is currently on the market via Savills with a guide price if £2.75 million. 

A two-bedroom cottage at the end of the drive is attached to two enclosed stables, one of which provides further accommodation.

The nearly 1½ acres also include a swimming pool, semi-circular pleached hornbeam hedge echoing the shape of a stone fountain and a paddock currently frothing with cow parsley, through which mown paths meander.

Blenheim House is currently on the market via Savills with a guide price of £2.75 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details. 

Warborough: What you need to know

Location: South Oxfordshire, 9 miles south of Oxford and 2.5 miles from Wallingford.

Atmosphere: The pretty village is home to a popular pub — The Six Bells, a post office, village shop, primary school, village hall and a cricket and rugby pitch.

Things to do: There are a number of walking trails along the banks of the River Thames that can be accessed from the village, and neighbouring Wallingford is home to independent shops and a 000market. Oxford is also within easy reach, with a large selection of restaurants, pubs, the Botanic Gardens and Medieval architecture.

Schools: Plenty of excellent options to choose from in the area, with St Laurence Church of England (A) School, Cranford House, Radley College, Abingdon School and Headington School.

See more property for sale in the area.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Bedfordshire — £2,000,000

A Grade II-listed, six-bedroom Victorian house with swimming pool and summerhouse, tennis court, garage, 2.25 acres of landscaped gardens and a three-bedroom cottage.

For sale with Michael Graham. See more pictures and details for this property.

Wiltshire — £3,000,000

A classic Grade II-listed village house dating from around 1830 that's been extended and refurbished to make a comfortable family home.

For sale with Savills. See more pictures and details for this property.

Oxfordshire — £1,850,000

A beautiful semi-detached period property arranged over three floors with a delightful enclosed garden and large terrace.

For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures and details for this property.

Devon — £750,000

A spacious, flexible family home with private, beautifully landscaped gardens on the edge of a popular village.

For sale with Stags. See more pictures and details for this property.

North Yorkshire — £889,950

An Edwardian detached family home set amidst a beautiful garden plot of approx. 0.3 acres, located on the outskirts of Wetherby.

For sale with Renton & Parr. See more pictures and details for this property.

Surrey — £1,800,000

A Grade ll listed farmhouse of significant architectural interest, with several period outbuildings set in approx. 10.8 acres.

For sale with Jackson-Stops. See more pictures and details for this property.

Dorset — £550,000

A beautifully presented and extended four bedroom sandstone cottage with pan-tiled roof, offering extensive accommodation.

For sale with Bentons. See more pictures and details for this property.

Dorset — £350,000

A two bedroom cottage in the heart of Chideock, situated within walking distance of the beach, village store and local pub.

For sale with Goadsby. See more pictures and details for this property.

Cumbria — £675,000

An attractive barn conversion located within a semi-rural village, with spacious accommodation and countryside views throughout.

For sale with GSC Grays. See more pictures and details for this property.

Spectacular Scottish castles and estates for sale

A look at the finest castles, country houses and estates for sale in Scotland today.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

When is a country house hotel not a hotel? When its owners restore it with all the love and care they would lavish on their own home, filling it with eclectic antiques, and renting out their perfectly imperfect creation in its entirety, complete with a spectacularly slick team of resident staff.

Keythorpe Hall is one such property. Built over 60 years by the 11th Baron Berners and completed in 1843, the Georgian mansion sits in 20 acres of gardens and parkland, with vast wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows framing bucolic views.

Inside, the spirit of the original has been maintained, with elaborate cornicing, restored wooden floors and panelling, soft natural paints by Edward Bulmer, and a sprinkling of ancestral portraits rescued from auction houses, rubbing shoulders with contemporary artworks.

A grand hall, double reception room, and dining room, all with roaring fireplaces, have quirky touches — such as two low, curved leather Chesterfields that used to adorn the bar of Babington House, adding a well-worn homely touch, offsetting the Van Eyck chandeliers.

The seven bedrooms upstairs (there are three more in Keythorpe Hall's East wing, where children or nannies may be billeted), each have a district character, featuring historically-inspired tapestries and wallpapers by Watts of Westminster, huge beds with certified cotton linens, and locally-made bath products using home-grown botanicals.

The bathrooms themselves are show-stoppers — as you'll see from the fact that we've chosen one as the top picture for this article. In the Thomas Knyvett room, for example, a large brass bath sits in front of large window, while a full-height portrait of the 4th Baron Berners (the original is now in Compton Verney) in full Elizabethan regalia looks on, from the shower wall.

The highlight of any stay here is gastronomic. While the terms local, seasonal, sustainable have become a fashionable mantra, and a tad too overused, Keythorpe Hall walks the walk. Claudio Bincoletto, who honed his foraging skills in the Italian army, tends the ancient walled garden with ferocious enthusiasm, supplying starry chefs, Peter Johansen and Bent Varming with an array of organic fruits and exotic vegetables picked at their peak, from which the kitchens produce truly spectacular fare.

Meats, too, come from local farms, within three miles of the estate. From the freshly baked sourdough and house cultured butter, to such delights as chicken broth with daikon and anchovy, to fallow deer with beetroot and toothache pepper, no detail is overlooked. And award-winning sommelier Bert Blaize gilds the culinary lilies with his selection of wine pairing. Heaven!

What to do while you're there

• Forage for botanicals and make your own gin at Brentingby Gin
• Fishing or sailing on Rutland Water
• Nevill Holt Opera (June and July)
• Silverstone Racing (July)
• Burghley Horse Trials (September)

From £6,000 night on an exclusive use basis 

Chelsea gold medallist Hillier of Romsey has created a marvel at Grade II-listed Mulberry House in Winchester, a place that is as suited to entertaining (thanks to the pergola-covered barbecue) as it is to relaxing in the greenery surrounded by the glorious flower beds—all ‘seasoned’ with fine views of the cathedral.

The fact that the gardens are bound by ancient brick walls (also listed) adds to the charm.

Currently on the market via Savills with a guide price of £6.95 million, the Grade II listed townhouse, located in the heart of Winchester, showcases some of the finest interiors we've come across, with plenty to offer.

The beautiful living areas include an open-plan kitchen that flows into the orangery-style dining room, a fantastic gym area located in the basement, a striking library and eight elegant bedrooms with pretty windows that overlook the garden.

Mulberry House is currently on the market via Savills with a guide price of £6.95 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details. 

Winchester: What you need to know

Location: On the edge of the South Downs National Park, approximately 13 miles north of Southhampton and 20 miles south west of Basingstoke. There are main line rail services in the town that run a South West Mainline Service and London is less than an hour away.

Atmosphere: The charming Cathedral city is England’s ancient capital, combining the best of city living with country life. It is home to the country’s largest farmers market and enjoys a lively community with plenty of year-round events.

Things to do: From the bustling shopping streets, glorious walks on the South Downs National Park, 11th century Cathedral and inspiring arts and theatre scene, there is plenty to keep all generations entertained.

Schools: The area is home to plenty of well known schools — perhaps most famously is Winchester College, being the ‘oldest continuously running school in the country.’ There is also St Bede Primary, The Pilgrim’s School, St Swithun’s for Girls and Peter Symonds Sixth Form College.

See more property for sale in the area.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Over in Staffordshire, the three landmark spires of Lichfield Cathedral have been a source of inspiration for many over the centuries, not least the 18th-century architect who, in the mid 1750s, built Stowe Hill House for Elizabeth Aston on a commanding hilltop site overlooking the cathedral.

Samuel Johnson, who was born in Lichfield, was a regular visitor to the striking early Georgian house, now listed Grade II*, which, according to its listing, ‘forms an important element in the landscape, especially in the view from the Cathedral and Stow Pool’.

For sale for the first time in 50 years, Stowe Hill has been the much-loved family home of the vendors, who bought the house in a dilapidated state in the 1970s and have since comprehensively restored it.

Sarah Briggs of Knight Frank’s Birmingham office quotes a guide price of £1.95m for the classic Georgian house set in 2½ acres of gardens and grounds, which provides excellent family accommodation on three floors, including three main reception rooms, a charming fan-shaped orangery and nine/10 bedrooms, plus cellars and outbuildings.

Stowe Hill House is currently on the market via Knight Frank at a guide price of £1.95 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details. 

Lichfield: What you need to know

Location: In Staffordshire, north of Birmingham, and in-between Stoke-on-Trent and Nottingham. Stafford is approximately 18 miles away. There are excellent transport links, with trains running from Lichfield City, Lichfield Trent Valley and Shenstone. Birmingham International Airport is just under 20 miles to the south.

Atmosphere: The city is known for its three-spired Medieval Cathedral and birth place of writer Samuel Johnson. It's access to rural areas and historic town make it a popular place to live.

Things to do: From the Cathedral, Georgian museums and National Memorial Arboretum, there is plenty of culture and history to immerse yourself in. The city is home to a diverse range of restaurants and bars, whilst Birmingham, just 18 miles to the south, offers plenty in the way of shopping and leisure facilities.

Schools: Nether Stowe School, Bridge Short Stay School and Scotch Orchard Primary School, Lichfield Cathedral School and The Friary School are all located nearby.

See more property for sale in the area.

Take a quick look at Hunton Court — near Maidstone, in Kent — and you'd immediately mark it down as an 18th century country house. Yet its true origins lie many centuries earlier: it's a building that hides its timbered origins behind a Georgian look.

The Grade II-listed, 14,075sq ft house was initially launched on the market three years ago, and relaunched last week by Strutt & Parker at a guide price of £10m — some £2.5m less than the price in 2019. It's hard to call a house with an eight-figure price tag a 'bargain', of course; but that is a hefty discount indeed, especially for such a beautiful place that's so close to London.

The house, once known as Court Lodge, had a turbulent history: first built in the 13th century and part of an estate that had belonged to the Canterbury’s Christ Church Priory, it was handed to Sir Thomas Wyatt, Henry VIII’s High Sheriff for Kent, after the Dissolution of Monasteries.

We'd guess it probably didn't have this lovely pool back then.

Wyatt was a man of many talents: a diplomat, adventurer and a poet, the man credited with writing the first sonnet in English. He was also a canny political operator: he managed to navigate the choppy waters of the Tudor Court and keep his head intact, despite having been accused first of adultery with Anne Boleyn — which earned him a spell in the Tower of London — then of treason.

His son, on the other hand, wasn’t quite as gifted with political nous: he had the not-so-bright idea of rebelling against Mary Tudor and lost both the estate and his life.

Hunton Court’s traces of medieval timbers are rather subtle, where they make an appearance in the attic and in some of the eight bedrooms.

But most of the rooms have a Georgian flavour, the result of a remodelling by 19th-century owner Henry Bannerman. He added the grand Georgian-style façade and the hand-painted panels — a triumph of cherubs, birds and flowers — in the drawing room (one of five stately reception rooms).

They became the backdrop to British political history in the early 20th century, when the house passed to Bannerman’s nephew, Henry Campbell-Bannerman, who served as Prime Minister between 1905 and 1908 and championed the introduction of free school meals. Matching the beauty of the interior are the 132-acre grounds, with their 18th-century parkland, lakes and magnificent stone bridges.

Having dominated British architecture until the 17th century, timber-frame buildings now look set to make a comeback, after the National Audit Office suggested that using UK-grown timber in construction can help reduce the industry’s impact. ‘New-build timber-frame homes have great environmental credentials,’ explains Jamie Freeman of Haringtons buying agents.

‘The carbon footprint is minimal, as 90% of wood consumed is sourced from British and European forests. As they are visually more traditional in form, they are a little easier to get planning permission for, too.’

Hunton Court is for sale via Strutt & Parker at £10m — see more details and pictures.

Hunton, Kent: What you need to know

Location: A 15-minute drive south-west of Maidstone in the heart of Kent, with correspondingly easy access to the motorway and rail networks.

Atmosphere: A thriving village with school, church hall and social club in an almost impossibly green, leafy setting.

Things to do: Well-known sites such as Scotney Castle and Sissinghurst are fairly close, and there are country walks aplenty. But what we were most excited about was a spot in the nearby village of Yalding: Teapot Island. This might be the most English thing we've ever heard of: it's a teapot museum with over 8,400 teapots on display, plus a tearoom (of course) and a pottery room where you can make your own. Wonderful!

Schools: There's a primary school right in the village (Ofsted give it a 'good' rating)

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Credit: Marshall & Clarke

Best country houses for sale in Kent, from townhouses and mansions to a home atop the White Cliffs of Dover

From a beautiful Tunbridge Wells townhouse to a clifftop home in a stunning location, here's our pic of some of

The instructions were peremptory: the builder of York Place, a Georgian house in Bath’s Richmond Road, was to complete it by 1794 and spend ‘no less than £300’ on the works. Although today’s equivalent (about £48,000) wouldn’t cover a small bungalow, a quick trawl through the National Archives shows that, at the time, it would have paid for about 2,000 days of skilled tradesmen’s work.

The reason for the owner’s lavish disposition, explains Alistair Heather of Savills, is that York Place, now for sale through Savills and Knight Frank at an asking price of £3.95 million, ‘was to be a real signature house’.

It remains so today, thanks not only to its elegant architecture, but also to the extraordinary setting—even the entry for its Grade II listing notes the commanding hilltop position on the city’s northern fringes.

Incidentally, the listing dates the house as early 19th century, a few years after the 1794 deadline, suggesting schedule creep may have been as much an issue in Georgian times as it is today.

For both Mr Heather and Charlie Taylor of Knight Frank, the most striking feature of the 7,309sq ft property is the beautiful garden, which, at about an acre, is a rare find in any urban home and particularly so in Bath.

The interior makes the most of the views, whether from the elegant entrance hall or the first-floor drawing room, which has floor-to ceiling windows. The house also has a sitting room and a formal dining room on the ground floor, featuring fine fireplaces and elegant cornicing, plus a bright kitchen/breakfast room with Aga and a large orangery.

Upstairs, split across two floors, are a television area and six bedrooms. A family could easily live on the ground and first floor, leaving the top one for guests or, as it was originally intended, staff—although perhaps not quite as many as in 1820, when records show that six people attended to a family of four.

Having lived at the property for more than 20 years, the current owners are ready to pass the baton to a new generation.

With Bath in high demand ever since the remote-working boom added an extra draw to the city’s allure, interest in York Place has been predictably high.

Much of it comes from young families, who prize the house’s sense of space and sizeable plot, but also the home office above the garage and the proximity to good schools such as St Stephen’s, Royal High and Kingswood.

And if any prospective buyer is a keen tennis player, so much the better—York Place is on the doorstep of the Lansdown Tennis Club. ‘It’s the house you dream of selling as an estate agent,’ says Mr Heather, before adding (with a touch of wistfulness): ‘I love it.’

York Place is currently on the market via Knight Frank and Savills at a guide price of £3.95 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agents for further details. 

Bath: What you need to know

Location: The city lies in a valley near the River Avon, 11 miles from Bristol and approximately 97 miles from London. The nearest train station is Bath Spa, which offers links to London and the north and the town is close to a junction off the M4.

Atmosphere: Bath is the largest city in Somerset, named after the Roman-built baths and is the only city in the UK designated as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Things to do: Bath is a wonderfully diverse, cosmopolitan city that caters to everyone. It seems rather obvious, but visit the city’s Roman baths (which date back to AD43) at the many designated spas and hotels. The cafe culture is unbeatable — and the city is home to a large number of fantastic dining options, from cute and quirky to Michelin-starred fine dining. The shopping is also wonderful — as are the lively bars and nightlife.

Schools: St Stephen Church school, St Andrew’s Church School, Royal High School GDST, King Edward’s School, and Royal High School Bath are all good options.

See more property for sale in the area.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

In 1539, having acquired and extended the grand palace built on the banks of the River Thames by his disgraced former Chancellor Cardinal Wolsey, Henry VIII established the ‘Honour’ of Hampton Court by Act of Parliament, annexing manors and lands throughout Middlesex and Surrey. The statute provided for the creation of a new forest or ‘chase’ over the claimed Surrey lands, from the Thames on the south side of Hampton Court manor to Cobham and Weybridge.

The chase was deeply unpopular among the ‘men of Molsey and other towns in the chace’ who protested vigorously at the damage done by the deer and the loss of their commons and pastures. After Henry’s death in 1547, the deer were moved to Windsor Forest and the former tenants—and their much-needed rent-rolls—were reinstated.

Hampton Court’s Thames-side location and green open spaces were much appreciated by Henry’s successors. Charles I had grand plans for waterworks in the grounds, but abandoned the scheme at the outbreak of the Civil War, after which Oliver Cromwell moved to Hampton Court and made his own improvements.

The Restoration under Charles II saw further heavy expenditure on the palace and gardens, then William and Mary had the palace largely rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren from 1689 onwards.

For many years, Wren both worked and lived at Hampton Court, residing in one of many fine houses built by the Crown and leased to suitable tenants. One of these was Ivy House on Hampton Court Road, East Molesey, the freehold to which was granted in 1873.

The house is described in the Victoria County History (1911) as being ‘practically in the palace gardens, with a terrace overlooking the Broad Walk, a picturesque building the property of Col Walter Campbell, son of Mr James Campbell, who formerly owned Hampton Court House’.

After the First World War, Ivy House was owned by Major-General Sir Ralph Ainsworth, a distinguished military surgeon, who acquired it from John French, 2nd Earl of Ypres, in 1926.

The classic Georgian house built, according to English Heritage, in about 1778, is now being sold for the first time in more than half a century by the family of comedy scriptwriter the late Ray Galton, who bought the property from the estate of Sir Ralph’s widow, Lady Ainsworth, in 1965.

Tom Shuttleworth of Strutt & Parker’s country department quotes a guide price of ‘excess £5.995 million’ for the wonderfully authentic Georgian building with its timeless, Upstairs Downstairs interiors and views over Hampton Court’s historic gardens.

Galton and his co-writer, Alan Simpson, met as teenagers in the 1940s, when both were being treated for TB in a Surrey sanatorium. They went on to become household names as the scriptwriters for BBC Radio’s Hancock’s Half Hour and, later, the hit television series Steptoe and Son.

Ivy House provided the perfect backdrop to ‘a Rolls-Royce lifestyle’ enjoyed by the pair on the back of their new-found success. However, Galton’s obituary by Guardian journalist Dennis Barker, in October 2018, revealed that ‘neither took their new wealth entirely seriously.

In one room of Galton’s huge house in the grounds of Hampton Court was a grand piano with Liberace-style candelabra on it. When a journalist asked who played it, Galton replied: “The piano tuner”.’

Ivy House stands in just over half an acre of grounds and is listed Grade II, together with its boundary walls shared with the gardens of Hampton Court and twin carriage entrances flanked by stone piers.

It offers more than 9,000sq ft of living space on three main floors—each a mirror image of the floor above, with large bay windows overlooking Hampton Court to the side and rear and an array of domestic offices on the lower-ground floor.

The raised ground floor houses the drawing room, dining room, library and kitchen, with the master suite, six further bedrooms and two bathrooms on the floors above. Outside, a large double garage has space for a shiny new Rolls-Royce, with a studio room above.

Ivy House is currently on the market via Strutt & Parker for offers in excess of £5.995 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details. 

East Molesey: What you need to know

Location: In the borough of Elmbridge, Surrey. Hampton Court, Hampton Wick and Thames Ditton are the closest stations.

Atmosphere: There are two areas to the town — East and West Molesey. The River Thames is situated to the north and there are many pubs and restaurants that run along the river path, including The Albany and Thyme by River. The area is also served by supermarkets and independent shops.

Things to do: There are a number of sport clubs in the town, including football, cricket and rugby. Nearby Kingston has further leisure and cultural facilities and links into central London mean all the best bits of the capital are easily attainable.

Schools: The Orchard Infant School is rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted and St Lawrence CofE Aided Junior School is rated 'good'.

See more property for sale in the area.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

In an idyllic rural setting three miles from the Pembrokeshire coast, Daniel Rees of Savills’s Cardiff office is handling the sale of imposing Grade II*-listed Orielton at £2.6 million.

At the heart of the property is a 23-bedroom house, but there are also three detached cottages and a Grade II-listed former stable courtyard, all of which have been well maintained in traditional collegiate style.

The land includes a large mature woodland with scenic trails, grassland, meadows, ponds, garden areas and, the pièce-de-résistance, an octagonal, 3¾-acre, Grade II-listed walled garden — complete with a Secret Garden-style gate.

There is a huge amount of work to be done on almost all of it, both inside and out — but the rewards are there for the right buyer. ‘The possibilities are endless’, says Mr Rees.

The house is an impressive Georgian pile that, according to its CADW listing, dates from the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries, when it was the grand county seat of the Owen family.

In 1571, Hugh Owen, whose family hailed from Bodowen in Anglesey, married the heiress of the Wyrriots of Orielton. His grandson, the 1st Baronet, may have built the core of the present house, which was probably rebuilt by the 3rd Baronet.

Sir Hugh Owen, the 6th Baronet, died young in 1809, leaving the estate, but not the title, to his cousin, John Lord of Pembroke, later John Owen, who was made baronet in 1813.

In 1810, he rebuilt the house, described in 1802 as ‘neither ancient nor modern, being fronted with brick, and the frames of the windows and the cornerstones of freestone’, but, by 1820, he was heavily in debt, and spent vastly on the 1831 election. In 1842, he sold the furniture from Orielton, and the rest of the estate in 1856.

Occupied by the Australian Air Force in the Second World War, the 118-acre estate was acquired in 1950 by naturalist Ronald Lockley, who established the Orielton Field Studies Centre here.

Orielton is for sale at a guide price of £2.6m for the estate as a whole — see more details and pictures.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Exuding grandeur from every brick, tile and plaster detail, Castleman’s House, in Kiln Green, is currently on the market via Savills with a guide price of £3.495 million. 

The house is ideal for entertaining, with its vast sitting room, billiards room and the spectacular drawing room, which has a double-height vaulted ceiling and French doors opening onto the garden.

The kitchen, with its cream Aga, is large enough to dine in (there’s a breakfast table), but the more than 6,500sq ft interior at this grand Grade II-listed property also includes a separate formal dining room.

Upstairs are eight bedrooms spread across two floors.

The grounds, which at the rear border Castle Royale golf course, extend to nearly 3½ acres of lawns, gardens and terracing.

Castleman's House is currently on the market with a guide price of £3.495 million via Savills — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details. 

Kiln Green: What you need to know

Location: Approximately 8 miles north east of Reading and just over 5 miles east of Maidenhead. There are train stations located at Wargrave, Twyford and Shiplake with quick links into central London.

Atmosphere: There are plenty of leisure and entertainment facilities in the surrounding villages and towns and more comprehensive shopping and restaurants in Reading and Maidenhead.

Things to do: There's plenty of picturesque country side to enjoy, plus excellent sporting with racing at Ascot, Royal Windsor and Newbury. The Thames provides a base from which to enjoy water sports and the Castle Royal Golf & Country Club (just a five minute walk from the property) includes an 18-hole course and a state-of-the-art leisure complex.

Schools: Knowl Hill Church of England Primary School is rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, whilst Robert Piggott C of E Infant School and Robert Piggott C of E Junior School are rated 'good'. For secondary, there is Reading Blue Coat School, Caversham and The Abbey.

See more property for sale in the area.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Old Church Street dates back to 1566 and is the oldest recorded street in Chelsea and No.18 provides a fine opportunity — albeit an expensive one — to own a slice of London's fascinating history without compromising on style or comfort.

The house is currently on the market via Russell Simpson for £6.59 million, and behind an ordinary exterior there lurks a four-bedroom home that is something rather special. Giles Cook from Russell Simpson calls No.18 a house that offers a 'perfect balance of modern luxury living coupled with traditional period charm steeped in rich history.'

That history only came to light relatively recently. Excavation works that took place when renovation began on number 18 Old Church Street led to workers discovering a huge array of antique pieces of porcelain and pottery lying beneath the surface.

The explanation is that the house is located directly behind where the famous Chelsea Porcelain Works once stood, and it’s thought that this was the ‘most significant established factory in England’ following the discovery of soft-paste porcelain in Europe.

From 1745-1769, the factory produced bespoke works for notable wealthy clients. Significant collections include the 'Mecklenburg Service' commissioned by King George III and an extensive range of botanical tableware that was acquired by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

The exciting antiques discovery were sent to the British Museum for analysis, and the pieces were sourced back to the Chelsea Porcelain Works.

With the antiques safely removed from the site, in their place is a spacious extension which leads down into the basement and provides comfortable guest or staff accommodation with a bedroom, private study, shower and utility room.

Upon entering the property at ground floor level, the space immediately opens up to a long hallway, from which a drawing room and reception room are accessed.

Bi-fold doors peel back and open up to an inner garden, across from which is a new two-storey office room and downstairs media/ gym room. The fantastically versatile new extension provides plenty of flexible accommodation depending upon requirements.

There are five floors of luxurious, modern living space in total, with the kitchen, dining room and sitting room located on the lower ground floor. The vast principal suite assumes the entire first floor with two further bedrooms and bathroom located on the second floor.

18 Old Church Street is currently on the market via Russell Simpson for £6.95 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details. 

Chelsea: What you need to know

Location: Near to the Chelsea Embankment. Sloane Square underground station is the closest tube station with Circle and District lines. South Kensington offers District, Piccadilly and Circle and Knightsbridge underground offers Piccadilly lines. Imperial Wharf offers overground services, just less than a mile away.

Atmosphere: Old Church Street is the oldest recorded street in Chelsea, with many high-profile former residents. The King's Road is within striking distance and known as one of the most famous roads in London for high end and designer shopping. It is home to an eclectic mix of residents and is popular with visitors for shopping and soaking up the Chelsea atmosphere.

Things to do: Cross the Thames and walk through Battersea Park or explore the Saatchi gallery in Sloane Square. The area is home to more shops than you could imagine. There are also a number of pubs, fantastic restaurants, bars and smaller parks in the area.

Schools: St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and Saint Thomas Moore Language College are both rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. Malborough Primary School is also located within the area and received a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted.

See more property for sale in the area.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Tall, red and Georgian, four-bedroom The Valletts peers out over 41 ancient acres of pasture and mature woodland at Ruckhall, a sought-after village not too far from Clehonger and Hereford.

Currently on the market via Grant & Co for £1.395 million, the handsome property has many period features that add to its charm, including floor to ceiling sash windows, comically- wonky wooden floorboards and a magnificent ornate fireplace with a wood burning stove in the sitting room.

The interiors are charmingly French-farmhouse rustic, but some updating is probably needed.

Planning permission has been submitted to convert a barn into a four-bedroom property and other outbuildings include stabling and a Nissen-style hut/Dutch barn.

The Valletts is currently on the market via Grant & Co for £1.395 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.

Ruckhall: What you need to know

Location: Hereford is just over 2 miles away and the Brecon Beacons National Park is approximately 47 miles to the west. The nearest train station is located in Hereford.

Atmosphere: The village enjoys a rural location whilst still being close enough to Hereford for great access to grocers, doctors surgeries and further amenities.

Things to do: Explore the cathedral city of Hereford which is home to medieval treasures, including the Mappa Mundi. Stroll along the Wye , Church Street and the Old Market for shopping and restaurants or to The Courtyard for theatre and comedy shows. The Brecon Beacons National Park is a beautiful landscape to explore throughout the year, whether you like to walk or are a keen climber, there is something for everyone.

Schools: Clehonger C of E Primary School, Stretton Sugwas C of E Academy and Whitecross Hereford High School are all local options.

See more property for sale in the area.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Syon House is perhaps one of the most famous houses in England, the extraordinary London residence of the Duke of Northumberland that is famous for its architecture. What’s less well known is that it has a namesake: Syon House in East Budleigh, Devon, may not be quite as grand as the Robert Adam-designed home on the Thames, but it’s a swish and impressive place in different ways.

This unabashedly pink house near Exeter — with views over the Otter Valley — has come on to the market for just the second time since it was built in 1810, with an asking price of £3.5 million via Knight Frank.

Some houses of this vintage can look as if they haven’t been updated for a couple of generations, but that’s emphatically not the case with this nine-bed Georgian home, set in four acres of grounds. The whole place has been remodelled and refurbished with 21^st century living in mind, from the clean, sophisticated look in the kitchen and bathrooms to the solar panels on the roof, which we’d imagine must substantially reduce what would otherwise be a hefty utilities bill.

The first thing that strikes you is the scale of the rooms, which together with the high ceilings gives a wonderful feeling of space. The 24’8” by 38’6” drawing room swallows a baby grand piano so easily that we didn’t notice it at first, for example, while there is a spectacular dining room with a glazed, pitched ceiling that makes it feel more like an orangery than a ‘normal’ room.

There are some period touches — an Aga in the kitchen, pretty coving, original fireplaces and stone flooring — but the overall impression is very much a modern place to live.

There are seven bedrooms on the first floor, all with en-suites, and the master bedroom has both a huge bay, a dressing room and a large bathroom with free-standing bath and a separate shower cubicle that look very much like the sort of thing you’d see in a top-end hotel suite.

And that is not by accident. Syon House was run as a B&B for a while — you might have guessed as much from the fact that every one of the bedrooms is en-suite. And while it’s being sold as a home rather than a business, it could in theory revert to that use.

There’s even space for staff accommodation, if you wanted to go that way: the second floor space is currently set up as a self-contained, two-bedroom flat, while across the courtyard is a coach house-cum-cottage that’s split into a three-bedroom downstairs flat and a two-bedroom upstairs flat.

Regardless of what you do with the main house both have clear letting potential, especially the latter with its lovely views.

The grounds themselves are mostly laid to lawn — something which also makes the most of the vista — and bordered by trees, but there’s also a walled garden, garage and workshop.

East Budleigh itself is a pretty little village in an area full of history. Sir Walter Raleigh was born nearby, apparently, and the village used to be a port and market town until the River Otter silted up. These days you’ll have to head down to the coast to see ships, but it won’t take long: Budleigh Salterton is only two miles away.

Syon House is for sale via Knight Frank at £3.5 million — see more pictures and details.

East Budleigh: What you need to know

Location: Two miles north of Budleigh Salterton, roughly five miles from Exmouth and 12 miles as the crow flies from Exeter. Be warned, though, if you’re thinking of commuting to the latter: the twisty East Devon roads mean that it’s a good half-hour drive to the city.

Atmosphere: It’s a thriving village surrounded by rolling green fields, but there are a few amenities, including a couple of pubs, a church, a primary school and a garage. There’s even a football club, East Budleigh FC.

Things to do: The pebble beach at Budleigh Salterton is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, while there are sandy beaches nearby for bucket-and-spade purposes. East Devon Golf Club has a good reputation, while Budleigh Salterton itself has an attractive high street with some decent independent shops — and good fish and chips. There is also nearby a place called 'World of Country Life', which we'd stress has no link whatsoever to our Country Life, but which looks like one of those fun-for-all-the-family farm places.

Schools: The primary school is called Drake’s — though you’d think it would be Raleigh’s, considering that it was the latter Elizabethen adventurer who was born in the parish — and is rated ‘good’ by Oftsed. For secondaries, nearby Mill Water has a ‘good’ rating, The King’s School not far away in Ottery St Mary is rated ‘outstanding’, and if you’re happy to go as far as Exeter there is a wealth of good schools, both state and private.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

A weekend in Sherborne, Dorset: What to do, where to eat, where to stay

Paula Lester — herself a resident of Dorset — shares tips for those looking to enjoy a getaway in Sherborne.

The astonishing Elizabethan house that lies at the heart of St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff

An impressive Elizabethan house is at the heart of the Welsh national collections of history and archaeology at St Fagans

As many home-buyers who bought their dream house in the ‘race for space’ of 2020 have already discovered, finding an electrician, plumber, carpenter or builder to carry out even the simplest of repairs or renovations is currently the stuff of nightmares — yet that's not going to be a problem for the next owners of the stunning Abbey House in Winchester, on the market at £3.4m.

It’s a situation that will take time to resolve, says Liam Bailey, head of research at Knight Frank, who expects that ‘delays in the delivery of building materials and inflated building costs will continue to affect the market next year, with completion dates pushed forward, construction postponed or schemes put on hold. Delivery times for construction materials have increased sharply as supply chains struggle to keep pace with demand’.

The reverse side of the coin is that ‘oven-ready’ properties, especially historic or listed buildings that have been renovated to high standards of construction and design, will continue to command a premium in the coming year.

The cathedral city of Winchester is rightly proud of its rich architectural heritage and its planning and conservation laws are among the strictest in the UK.

But it’s all grist to the mill of Julian Long, managing director of Winchester-based Lonmer Construction, a family-owned firm of builders and designers that specialises in the renovation and rebuilding of listed urban and farm buildings.

His firm recently completed the renovation and restoration of Grade II*-listed Hyde Abbey House in the Hyde area of the city, a place name synonymous with Alfred the Great, whose bones were moved to Hyde Abbey in 1110.

Once the most northerly of the old city suburbs, Hyde grew up alongside the old Roman road to Silchester. Hyde Abbey House is located in Hyde Street to the north of Winchester’s bustling High Street and within easy walking distance of the city’s mainline station, which provides frequent fast services to London Waterloo.

Built of red brick under a tiled dormer roof, the landmark 8,155sq ft house dates from the 17th century and was re-fronted in the late 18th century with a Classical Georgian façade, since when it has been reincarnated a number of times.

In the 18th century, the building was home to the independent Hyde Abbey School, founded by the Revd Reynell Cotton in about 1760; its many distinguished pupils included high-ranking soldiers, sailors, bishops and politicians.

In 1795, Sir John Soane built a dedicated schoolroom for the school—reputedly his only building in Winchester.

By 1847, however, the school had closed and its building leased out as the first Hampshire Museum. From 1950 to 1975, it was a private hotel and restaurant and later used as offices, until planning permission was granted by Winchester City Council to change its use to a single family home.

Unquestionably one of the city’s grandest homes, Hyde Abbey House offers beautifully proportioned accommodation on three floors including reception and staircase halls, four downstairs reception rooms, a kitchen/breakfast room, magnificent first-floor drawing room of 1620 with painted panelling and a carved frieze, a principal bedroom suite with two dressing rooms, six further bedrooms and four bath/shower rooms.

It comes with landscaped walled gardens, private parking for six cars and planning consent for a double garage. Joint agents Knight Frank and Jackson-Stops quote a guide price of £3.4 million.

Hyde Abbey House is currently on the market via joint agents Knight Frank and Jackson-Stops at a guide price of £3.4 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agents for further details. 

Winchester: What you need to know

Location: On the edge of the South Downs National Park, approximately 13 miles north of Southhampton and 20 miles south west of Basingstoke. There are main line rail services in the town that run a South West Mainline Service and London is less than an hour away.

Atmosphere: The charming Cathedral city is England's ancient capital, combining the best of city living with country life. It is home to the country's largest farmers market and enjoys a lively community with plenty of year-round events.

Things to do: From the bustling shopping streets, glorious walks on the South Downs National Park, 11th century Cathedral and inspiring arts and theatre scene, there is plenty to keep all generations entertained.

Schools: The area is home to plenty of well known schools — perhaps most famously is Winchester College, being the 'oldest continuously running school in the country.' There is also St Bede Primary, The Pilgrim's School, St Swithun's for Girls and Peter Symonds Sixth Form College.

See more property for sale in the area.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Grade I-listed Moor Place, in Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, has it all: elegant Georgian architecture, a rich history and 80 acres of leafy gardens and grounds. Alas, for the dreamers among us, it also has the price tag to go with such magnificence — Sotheby’s International Real Estate are marketing it at an asking price of £12 million.

The house was built by Scottish architect Robert Mitchell for James Brebner Gordon — the father of politician James Gordon, who had inherited the estate from his uncle — on the site of an earlier Elizabethan property. It was then expanded in later centuries.

Today, a grand red-brick façade embellished by stone dressings set the tone at this 14-bedroom property, its entrance door duly topped by the coat of arms of the Gordon family dating from 1779 and ground-floor windows framed by recessed arches.

Inside, it is a triumph of striking features, from the cantilevered staircase in the sky-lit central ground-floor hall to the grand fireplaces in the many reception rooms.

The dining room and the drawing room are particularly imposing and the library is the perfect place to retire after supper, glass of brandy in hand.

Upstairs are six bedrooms on the first floor, including the splendid master suite, and five more on the second floor. Additional accommodation is available in the west wing.

Outside, the 80-acre grounds encompass a mix of park, farmland and woodland, with a tennis court and a swimming pool.

Moor Place is for sale at £12 million via Sotheby’s International Real Estate — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.

Much Hadham: What you need to know

• Location: Much Hadham is situated 10 minutes away from Bishop’s Stortford, with its fast train link to London
• Atmosphere: Few churches in England can boast not one but two henry Moore sculptures, but Much Hadham’s St Andrew’s can. The church, which dates from the Middle Ages, is one of the many landmarks of this pretty village, which harbours many period buildings, including the 15-th century former Red Lion Coaching Inn, as well as the Henry Moore Foundation in Perry Green
• Things to do: Take in Henry Moore’s sculptures, go walking in Hatfield Forest or play tennis at the local clubs. A wide selection of shopping and entertainment options is available in nearby Bishop’s Stortford.
• Schools: St Andrew’s CE primary school in Much Hadham is rated good by Ofsted. The area also has a wide range of independent schools, including Bishop’s Stortford College in Bishop’s Stortford and St Edmund’s College in Ware.Find more properties in the area.

Credit: Knight Frank

A traditional stone house for sale with mature gardens, an adjoining cottage — and eight acres of glorious Cotswold countryside to call your own

Just three miles from Cirencester, Dower House offers plenty of space to enjoy the surrounding countryside. Annunciata Elwes takes a

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Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

For all its negative connotations, 2021 has been a very good year for grand English country houses, the latest being classic, Grade II-listed Georgian The Hewletts, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, which has come to the market through Savills with a guide price of £7.5 million. 

Impeccably restored by its current owners, who bought the house in a run-down state in 2006, the gracious 9,000sq ft Palladian-style house stands in 45 acres of gardens, parkland, woodland and pasture, 700ft above sea level on Aggs Hill, close to the top of the Cotswold escarpment.

The house boasts spectacular views towards Prestbury Park racecourse and over Cheltenham to the Malvern Hills and the Black Mountains of Wales.

Once part of the Southam estate owned by the De La Bere family of Herefordshire, The Hewletts was probably built around an earlier 17th-century farmhouse by William Baghot, who inherited the estate from his uncle, Kynard de la Bere, in 1734.

Baghot left the house to his nephew, Thomas, who sold it in 1797 to Maj James Agg of the Bengal Army, one of many former Indian Army officers and administrators who settled in and around the spa town of Cheltenham in the 1800s.

Agg’s eldest son, William, was educated as a gentleman at Pembroke College, Oxford, and inherited The Hewletts in 1827. His only son, also William, was a career soldier who retired with the rank of colonel in 1869. Soon afterwards, he took over the management of The Hewletts estate and was much involved in public and business affairs in the Cheltenham area.

He died suddenly at home, in April 1901, after which The Hewletts and its 892 acres were sold to provide for the colonel’s seven surviving children. The estate was later subdivided and sold a number of times; in the mid 20th century, The Hewletts was run as a country-house hotel.

The present owners have painstakingly restored and renovated the building, retaining much of its essential Georgian features and character; constructed of Cotswold stone, it has an impressive ashlar entrance front arranged as a five-bay, three-storey central section with two-storey wings to either side.

Stone steps lead up to the front door and the reception hall with its fine 18th-century staircase, to either side of which are the drawing room and dining room, both elegant, light-filled rooms with good ceiling heights, sash windows, hardwood floors and imposing fireplaces. The study/library and family room are smaller and more intimate.

The kitchen/breakfast/garden room is a splendid new addition, with steps opening onto the lawns on the south side of the house. The rear hall leads to the north wing and a vast games room and bar where family and friends can be entertained in style.

Upstairs are seven spacious bedrooms, four bath/shower rooms and a self-contained, two-bedroom staff/guest flat. The sale includes a charming, Cotswold-stone coach house with a first-floor flat, various outbuildings and a modern agricultural barn with potential for a number of alternative uses.

The Hewletts is currently on the market via Savills at a guide price of £7.5 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details. 

Cheltenham: What you need to know

Location: In Gloucestershire, bordering the Cotswolds AONB. Oxford is 41 miles to the East and Bristol is approximately 42 miles to the south west. There is a train station within the town — Cheltenham Spa, offering Great Western rail services.

Atmosphere: Known as the most complete Regency town in the UK, Cheltenham is known for its history and architecture. The bustling town attracts visitors throughout the year thanks to its horse racing events and rich heritage.

Things to do: Visit Pittville Park — the largest ornamental park in Cheltenham, home to a boating lake and the Pittville Pump Room. No trip would be complete without a visit to the Cheltenham Racecourse. There is also the Cheltenham Festival — a four day racing event which takes place every year and draws in visitors from all over. The town is home to many cafes, restaurants and independent shops which split into various shopping districts. It also has a vibrant nightlife.

Schools: St Mary's Church of England Infant School is rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, whilst Prestbury St Mary's Church of England Junior School and The Ridge Academy both received 'good' ratings. For secondary, Pate's Grammar School, Balcarras School and Cheltenham Ladies College are all well-regarded.

See more property for sale in the area.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

Sitting on the north bank of the Tweed, a mile or so north-east of Kelso in the Scottish Borders, lies Georgian, Grade C-listed Tanlaw House, which sits amid the wooded 19th-century parkland of the Hendersyde estate.

Protected on three sides by the estate parkland, Tanlaw House enjoys lovely south-easterly views over the Tweed Valley to the Cheviot Hills. This enchanted little slice of the Borders is for sale at offers over £750,000 via Galbraith in Kelso.

Its listing describes it as ‘a good example of an early 19th century estate house surviving largely in its original condition and forming an important element of the group of buildings that form the Hendersyde Estate’.

The house was formerly the coach house to Hendersyde Park, the seat of the Waldie family, whose members included Robert Waldie, a friend of Sir Walter Scott and a regular visitor to Hendersyde, where he made good use of its extensive library.

In those days, the wings to either side of Tanlaw House housed the coach and horses, and were incorporated into the main house in the 1930s.

According to Historic Environment Scotland, early maps show further outbuildings in the garden to the rear that have now been lost.

An interesting survival, however, together with Tanlaw’s gardens, gates and railings, is the listed hen house, a small, symmetrical stone building in its original condition with nesting boxes and a rare underground tunnel that allowed hens to forage beyond the ha-ha — perhaps the only listed hen house in Scotland?

Acquired by the current vendors in the 1990s, Tanlaw House and its two acres of beautifully landscaped, early-19th-century gardens have been lovingly maintained and improved over time, with the addition of a heated indoor swimming pool and a bow-ended stair tower to the rear.

This peaceful rural retreat offers comfortable accommodation on two floors, including two main reception rooms, four bedrooms, two bath/shower rooms and attics that could be converted to provide extra bedrooms if required.

Tanlaw House is for sale via Galbraith at offers over £750,000 — see more details and pictures.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for

The awards have been held annually since 2003, having been set up to 'celebrate exemplary conservation and restoration projects in the UK'.

This year there was what John called a 'remarkably strong field', and the awards on Tuesday 5 October were an opportunity to applaud the extraordinary vision and commitment to restoring some of the most striking Georgian buildings and landscapes in the country.

That commitment is all the more remarkable considering the effects of the pandemic, as John mentioned:

'After all the difficulties of the last 18 months these awards are particularly inspiring. They are also testimony to the perennial importance, interest and quality of our Georgian heritage.'

Here are the winners, with a few comments from the judges; you can see the entire list, including the commended entries, at georgiangroup.org.uk.

Best restoration of a Georgian Country House

Radbourne Hall, Derbyshire

This 1739 building took three years to restore, part of which related to works done — for better and worse — in the 1950s. Damage done by a 1950s structural steel has been remedied, while a John Fowler decorative scheme of the same era has been retained and conserved.

Best new Building in a Georgian Context

Wolverton Hall Folly, Worcestershire (Read our article here).

'The result is a building that can express in classical terms the different moods of time and place with an underlying seriousness and humour,' said the judges of this project.

Best restoration of a church or chapel

All Saints Church, Newcastle

Although one of the finest buildings in the city, it had long been on the Georgian Group's casework radar and on Historic England’s Heritage-at-Risk register — now, thanks to this wonderful project, it is now removed from both.

Best restoration of a Georgian Building in an Urban Setting

Buxton Crescent Hotel and Spa, Derbyshire

'This heroic and transformative project has taken more than two decades to come to realisation and combines conservation and new work,' said the panel.

Best re-use of a Georgian Building

Cobham Dairy, Kent

Abandoned for over a century, now restored as a self-catering cottage — a new role which should secure a long future.

Best restoration of a Georgian structure or interior

The Bath Stone Bridge, Halswell Park, Somerset

Some of the stonework was still in place; some was successfully fished out of the murky depths; but much had to be cut afresh.

Giles Worsley Award for New Work in the Georgian spirit

Nithurst Farm, West Sussex (Read our article on Nithurst here)

Best restoration of a Georgian Garden or Landscape

Gunton Park, Norfolk

Diaphoros Prize

The Con Club, Framlingham, Suffolk

The Con Club, Framlingham, Suffolk, is an on-going private initiative to revitalise a Regency building and several ancillary buildings, with artists’s studios, a cafe, public rooms, an exhibition space, youth club and the town-council office.

Nithurst Farm: A house created by an architect for himself and his family which projects ideas, dreams and an unmistakable sense of theatre

Nithurst Farm in West Sussex is a striking new house designed by architect Adam Richards for himself and his family

The rather wise folly at Wolverton Hall: 'There isn’t a detail that I don’t think is extraordinarily deft and beautiful'

The new garden folly at Wolverton Hall in Worcestershire — owned by Nicholas and Georgia Coleridge — is inspired by

The Summer House at Warnford Park: Inside the walls of 'One of England’s most romantic follies'

The Summer House at Warnford Park is an 18th-century bath house in a quiet corner of Hampshire that has found

We’re not 100% convinced by the sometime stretching of the term West Country into the Cotswolds, but for the purposes of including charming Loveday’s House in our round-up, why not?

The Lovedays were a Quaker family of clothiers and farmers in Painswick and local builder John Bryan created this handsome home for them in about 1740, which is on the market today at a guide price of £1.25 million via Hamptons.

Of the five bedrooms, one adjoins a roof terrace with exceptional views over the Painswick Valley and the master could easily be siphoned off as a separate flat with its little kitchenette, shower room and extra bedroom/office above.

Carved-stone fireplaces, shuttered sash windows and Georgian cornicing abound and the four reception rooms include a library with a Clearview stove in the hearth, flanked by 18th-century niches.

As well as updating and maintaining the house, the current owner has completely redesigned the gardens, which now form rooms that flow into each other, with lawns, ponds, dry-stone walls, raised beds, woodland, terrace and loggia.

Loveday's House is currently on the market for £1.25 million via Hamptons — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.

Painswick: What you need to know

Location: Painswick is approximately 6 miles south of Gloucester, 11 miles from Cheltenham and 4 miles north of Stroud — with mainline rail services linking Stroud and London Paddington.

Atmosphere: Known as one of the most famous villages in the Cotswolds (lovingly dubbed 'the Queen of the Cotswolds') Painswick has a thriving and welcoming community with good amenities including a general store, two pubs, several cafes/restaurants and a wonderful old church which is famous due to a folk-law surrounding its 99 Yew trees.

Things to do: The Painswick Rococo Garden and Painswick Golf Course are both located within the area. Further afield, the regency spa town of Cheltenham is located to the north and offers excellent shopping facilities, is home to annual literature, science and music festivals and the National Hunt Racecourse. Nearby Stroud has an award-winning weekly farmers market plus a large Waitrose and other supermarkets. The surrounding countryside is popular with walkers and cyclists as the town sits along the Cotswold Way National Trail.

Schools: The Croft Primary School, Sheepscombe Primary School and Cranham Church of England Primary School are all rated 'good' in Ofsted reviews. North Bridge House School is a well-regarded secondary school, as is Stroud High School, Marling School and Cheltenham Ladies College.

See more property for sale in the area.

Credit: Strutt and Parker

Best country houses for sale this week

An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for