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 the hedge can tell us about the countryside, with Richard NegusThe hedge is much more than just a barrier between one field and the next. Richard Negus joins the Country Life Podcast to discuss his work, his latest book and how he's being tapped up to switch cricket clubs.
-
Country Life August 20 2025Country Life August 20 2025 is the Scottish Issue, featuring glorious Glamis Castle, 47 pages of the best Scottish property for sale, John Buchan, and the Glasgow Boys
-
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?
-
19 outstanding country homes, from £450,000 to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeA spectacular country house in Yorkshire and an enormously impressive Channel Islands retreat are among the stand-out homes on the market this week.
-
Three homes down by the Thames, perfect for those who love messing about on boatsThis summer’s scorching temperatures will no doubt have endorsed the perennial appeal of Thames-side houses with frontage and private access to the river. Penny Churchill and Toby Keel pick out some prime examples.
-
A pavilion, pool and pleasure gardens at this Devon country house 'with not another building in sight'Ebberly House is a majestic country house in Devon built by one of John Soane's pupils — and as it comes to the market, it's a place Penny Churchill knows well.
-
Take over the world or throw a great big party on this private fort for sale in PembrokeThorne Island, dubbed the British Alcatraz, has been a £2 million labour of love. Now it could be yours.
-
The perfect summer house? A country home, beach house and rural escape rolled into one in a prime spot in SussexIf there's a finer house than Grangewood House in which to enjoy the summer, we'd love to see it. Penny Churchill takes a look.
