A gorgeously-updated Victorian home with poolhouse, bar, a truly stunning bathroom — and an eight-figure price tag
Penny Churchill looks at Godden Green House, a 140-year-old house with some bold and wonderful modern touches.


Godden Green House, near Sevenoaks, is a substantial Victorian house for sale through Will Peppitt of Savills with an eye-opening price tag of £10m.
Originally built in the Gothic style for Thomas Usborne in 1879, the house was sold by him to London stockbroker, Francis Forbes, whose daughter, Janet, married the Arts-and-Crafts architect C. R. Ashbee. On her father’s death, the couple moved to Godden Green in 1922.
For Ashbee, the house, with its enormous slate roof, twisted mock-Tudor chimneys and stone porches, was ‘a monstrosity’ and he immediately set out to remodel it, demolishing the roof, chimneys and various arches, and redesigning the windows and much of the interior.
Last seen on the market in 2014, today’s Godden Green House is a handsome country house set in 16¼ acres of lovely parkland grounds, with a swimming pool and pool house set within former walled kitchen gardens, close to the pretty hamlet of Godden Green.
It comes with a self-contained one-bedroom cottage, garaging, garden stores and a greenhouse, with further summerhouses and pavilions laid out around the grounds.
Carefully modernised and refurbished by its present owners, the main house offers 9,200sq ft of well-proportioned accommodation on three floors, including three main reception rooms: a striking drawing room with a wide bay window, an impressive dining room and a double-aspect sitting room.
There is also a study, a charming family room adjoining the kitchen/breakfast room, and various domestic offices.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
A splendid guest suite with double doors opening onto the garden completes the ground floor. The first floor houses the principal bedroom suite, comprising a double aspect bedroom, two dressing rooms and a luxurious bathroom.
There are three further en-suite bedrooms on this floor, and a sixth bedroom on the floor above.
Godden Green House is for sale via Savills at £10m — 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: 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 watch is Head Boy of men’s accessorising': Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin's Summer Season style secrets
When 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.
By Country Life Published
-
Lewis Hamilton, Claude Monet and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Country Life Quiz of the Day, April 29, 2025
Tuesday's Quiz of the Day looks back at Lewis Hamilton's first win and ponders on the meaning of greige.
By Toby Keel Published
-
About time: The fastest and slowest moving housing markets revealed
New research by Zoopla has shown where it's easy to sell and where it will take quite a while to find a buyer.
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
-
A wisteria clad hall built by one of the founders of the Bank of England
Come for the history of Old Hall. Stay for the interesting interiors.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River Tay
Carnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
By James Fisher Published
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producers
Stormzy, 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.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in Kent
North Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
By James Fisher Published
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streets
This six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
By James Fisher Published
-
A tale of everyday life as lived on Britain's most expensive street
Winnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
By Lotte Brundle Last updated