Steeped in history, Higham House in Salehurst, East Sussex, is mentioned in the Domesday Book and is believed to have been visited by Henry VIII.
The 10-bedroom property, complete with swimming pool, stabling and 70 acres, is on the market with Knight Frank for £5,000,000.
The original house was razed to the ground in 1603, and the current house rebuilt in 1619, extended in 1740 and 1820, and lastly in 2000.
Higham House is beautifully presented by the current owners, with a lovely blend of fun, modernity and traditional design. A giant sculpture of a giraffe stands at the heart of the staircase, for example — the agents don't mention the sale of interior fittings and furniture, but we'd imagine a piece that fits its environment so perfectly would presumably be negotiable.
Accommodation is arranged over three floors and extends to over 16,000 square feet, with seven reception rooms, including an inner hall, six bathrooms, a library and indoor swimming pool.
Correction: a breathtaking pool. It's not often we use a swimming pool picture at the top of a property focus article, but we make no apologies for doing so today. And non-swimmers can even have a pleasant game of snooker while the water polo goes on nearby.
The library is equally impressive: modern in design and feel, this is clearly a working space rather than a roomful of dusty tomes chosen purely for how good they'll look on a hand-carved bookcase.
It's not just the interiors which are worthy of note, however. The house enjoys beautiful elevated views of the Sussex countryside and comes with an incredible 70 acres of formal gardens, paddocks and woodland.
Outbuildings include stables, garages and a substantial kitchen garden.
Higham House in Salehurst, East Sussex, is on the market with Knight Frank for £5,000,000. See more pictures or request further details from the agent.
Salehurst, East Sussex: What you need to know
- Location: Higham House is situated less than a mile from Salehurst and two miles from Robertsbridge, where trains can take you to London Charing Cross and London Canon Street in 1hr 15 mins. The A21 is two miles away, Hastings 13 and London 54.
- Atmosphere: Salehurst is a Saxon settlement mentioned in the Domesday Book. It is believed that the illustration on the Bayeux Tapestry of Saxon homes being destroyed was based on events surrounding the village. Local pub, the Salehurst Halt, offers real ales and lcoally sourced food, and the peaceful rural location is conveniently located close to larger towns like Hastings, Battle and Tenterdon.
- Things to do: The area is perfect for keen walkers, with beautiful countryside ready to explore. 14th century Bodiam Castle is a 10 minute drive away and well worth a visit, as is Oastbrook Estate Vineyard, in the heart of the now world famous vineyards of the Sussex countryside.
- Schools: Good local schools include Bodiam Church of England and Hurst Green Church of England primary schools, Vinehall School and Claremont School. Find more houses in the area
A picture-postcard cottage under £400,000 in the heart of a pretty village near Stratford
Positioned in the heart of Stratford-upon-Avon village Pebworth, Friday Cottage offers easy access to a wealth of amenities.
Credit: Jackson-Stops
Eight beautiful homes for sale around Britain, as seen in Country Life
From a breathtaking Surrey mansion to a small Ayrshire estate, we look at some of the homes to appear in
-
What £1 million buys you across Britain, from a Cornish cottage to a miniature castle in the HighlandsSprawling country houses, a mini-estate in Scotland and homes where the sea almost laps up at your feet are among the property options open to those with a seven-figure budget. Here's our pick of the best £1 million houses for sale across the land.
-
England and the 1966 World Cup — which was stolen and later recovered by a dog called PicklesIn celebration of the footballing talents of Country Life's guest editor Sir David Beckham, we look back at the summer of 1966, when the England national team was on top of the world.
-
What £1 million buys you across Britain, from a Cornish cottage to a miniature castle in the Highlands
Sprawling country houses, a mini-estate in Scotland and homes where the sea almost laps up at your feet are among the property options open to those with a seven-figure budget. Here's our pick of the best £1 million houses for sale across the land.
-
The Hampshire home of a Victoria Cross-winning British WWI ace fighter pilot is for sale, with lake, chapel and some of the best fishing rights in EnglandPenny Churchill looks at Longparish House, a north Hampshire haven on the River Test.
-
Five superb country homes, from under £1 million to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeOur look at some the best homes to come up for sale via Country Life in the past week includes a Wiltshire dream home and a vast Kent mansion that's an easy commute to the City.
-
Rock stars and the country house: Liam Gallagher's life in the Cotswolds is in the finest tradition of music A-listers, from The Beatles to BeyoncéWhat is it about the British countryside that draws A-listers from every walk of life? With Liam Gallagher's Cotswold former home on the market, Toby Keel takes a look.
-
Life on Portugal's Coast of Kings, where Ian Fleming met the triple-agent whose gambling inspired 'Casino Royale'Once a quiet fishing village west of Lisbon, Cascais became an unlikely hive of activity during the Second World War, attracting regal refugees and intelligence operatives in equal measure. Russell Higham investigates its enduring glamour — and its connection to Casino Royale.
-
An extraordinary Italian palazzo built in the heart of Oxfordshire is up for sale at £16 millionThe Palazzo Pallavicini in Genoa inspired the creation of Newington House, which is on the market for the first time in 35 years.
-
A bum deal on a bog-standard property? The former public conveniences being sold off for a songLondon has several affordable properties with enviable postcodes and great lighting... so long as you're happy spending more than a penny on a Victorian loo.
-
A castle for sale just down the road from Gleneagles, where everyone from George VI to a farmer and his pigs once roamed the grand hallsOrchil Castle has seen it all in a tumultuous century and a half — but it's getting back to its best, and now needs a brave new owner to take it on the next step of its journey.
