It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good. As we try to look ahead to a time when the misery of the past nine months will be wiped from our collective memory, who would have thought that the big winner to emerge from the pandemic would be the British countryside? Whatever economic and social problems lie ahead, there is no doubt that many more homeowners will want to go where others led in 2020 and seek a cleaner, greener future without the grinding pressure of the dreaded daily commute.
A multi-generational family with lofty ambitions can find the best of town and country at Trout Grange, near the picturesque wooded hamlet of Coldharbour, five miles from Dorking, on the southern slopes of Leith Hill — at 965ft above sea level, it’s the second-highest point in south-east England.
Set in more than 19 acres of private gardens and grounds within the Surrey Hills AONB, the 4,368sq ft main house and its 3,200sq ft converted barn and pool house are for sale through Knight Frank in Guildford at a guide price of £3.75 million for the whole, or £2.35m for the main house alone.
Approached down a long, winding drive off a small country lane, Trout Grange was built in the 1980s on the site of a historic former farmhouse that had fallen into disrepair.
The house is laid out over four floors with an impressive cinema/games-room complex on the lower ground floor.
The ground floor offers a large formal sitting room, a triple-aspect dining room, a study and a kitchen/breakfast room.
There are six first-floor bedrooms, with two further bedrooms on the floor above, and four bathrooms in all.
Trout Grange Barn comprises two wings, with a large kitchen/breakfast/family room, a sitting room and bathroom on one side; the other wing includes a large room, currently used as a games room, with three bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs.
The swimming pool is located behind the main house to take full advantage of the spectacular southerly views.
Trout Grange is for sale via Knight Frank — 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
Spectacular Scottish castles and estates for sale
A look at the finest castles, country houses and estates for sale in Scotland today.
-
‘Its loss became a cautionary tale, and a rallying cry for architectural conservation’: The rise and fall and renewed interest in Ireland’s remarkable country housesLesley Bond traces a brief history of Ireland’s country houses and questions whether you can ever separate the house from the history it represents.
-
Alan Titchmarsh: 'I am so weary of seeing Lutyens-style benches and chairs absolutely everywhere'A strategically placed chair doubles as a focal point and a spot to rest — but we need to move on from Lutyens-style ones says our regular garden columnist.
-
A micro estate for sale in west Wales shows that the best things come in small packages. In this case, three of themBrithdir is a remarkable collection of properties centred around a lake and just five miles from the sea.
-
This blissful converted mill has sweeping views, a breathtaking library and gardens by a Chelsea gold medallistPenny Churchill takes a look at Stanbridge Mill, one of the finest properties for sale today in the west country.
-
Portmore has it all: A 3,459-acre Scottish estate for sale, with a signature Baronial sandstone mansion at its heartFor sale for the first time in 40 years, Portmore Estate is everything you could ever want in Scotland.
-
Location, community and charm: the enduring desirability of London's mews housesFrom birds, to horses, to beautiful family homes, the mews of London are some of the nation's most sought-after homes. But why?
-
The distinctive and historic home that might just be 'one of Dorset’s most picturesque'Grade II*-listed Manor House, set in just under eight acres, dates from the 16th century.
-
A 17th century farmhouse in Surrey with one of Britain's oldest squash courtsFords Farm is on the market for the first time in over half a century.
-
The 15 best-value commuter towns for people working in London, according to new research from one of Britain's top estate agentsSavills have released their list of the best-value commuter towns in Britain. But do the sums add up? Toby Keel takes a look.
-
What everyone is talking about this week: Where are the new Cotswolds?The appearance of American Vice President J. D. Vance in the Cotswolds is a sure sign that they're saturated, but where else can you escape to that has the same charm?
