‘There could hardly be a more idyllic setting for a country house than that of Efford Park,’ say selling agents Knight Frank of the imposing, Grade II*-listed Georgian country house, which stands on high ground at the heart of the 127-acre estate on the edge of the New Forest, two miles from Lymington, and has views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight.
A guide price of £10.5m is quoted for the 19,172sq ft former headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Horticultural Research Station, set in parkland that has changed little since the house was built by Col Shedden in 1838.
While the parkland may not have changed, however, the same cannot be said of the rest of the building, which has served all manner of purposes in the last millennium. Today, it has accommodation on three floors including three large reception rooms, a study, billiard room and an open-plan kitchen/breakfast room, along with a spa, gym, party room, 14 bedrooms, five main bathrooms and a self-contained staff annexe.
Efford Park was a manor in the 11th century, but lost its manorial status in the 17th century, when it reverted to use as a farm. However, its standing was reinstated when the colonel’s heirs sold the estate to Admiral Reginald Hastings and his wife, Barbara, Marchioness of Hastings, in 1846.
Known for her beauty, exuberance and love of travel and gambling, the marchioness was a collector of rare vertebrate fossils, which were exhibited in a specially constructed room, now the gym. She also laid out the easterly avenue and other parts of the ornamental grounds.
In 1853, the estate was sold to Warren William Richard Peacocke, who added the conservatory, built the ice house, laid out the orchard, developed the kitchen garden and installed greenhouses.
In 1907, Sir James Beethom Whitehead acquired the estate, extending it in 1925 and 1928, and adding a cricket pitch and tennis courts.
In 1951, the Ministry of Agriculture bought it, retaining part for the Research Station, whereas the northern half, comprising the house and park, was sold in 1999 to the current owners.
They carried out a complete refurbishment of the house, restoring original features, modernising systems and returning Efford Park to its original use as a gracious and substantial family home.
Efford Park is for sale at £10.5 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
-
'The watch is Head Boy of men’s accessorising': Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin's Summer Season style secretsWhen it comes to dressing for the Season, accessories will transform an outfit. Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin, both stylish summer-party veterans, offer some sage advice.
-
Lewis Hamilton, Claude Monet and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Country Life Quiz of the Day, April 29, 2025Tuesday's Quiz of the Day looks back at Lewis Hamilton's first win and ponders on the meaning of greige.
-
About time: The fastest and slowest moving housing markets revealedNew research by Zoopla has shown where it's easy to sell and where it will take quite a while to find a buyer.
-
A wisteria clad hall built by one of the founders of the Bank of EnglandCome for the history of Old Hall. Stay for the interesting interiors.
-
A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River TayCarnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country LifeWe take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producersStormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in KentNorth Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streetsThis six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
-
A tale of everyday life as lived on Britain's most expensive streetWinnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
