For collectors with a keen eye on mid-20th-century politicians comes an opportunity to own this coat and hat that once belonged to Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden. The price? £1.5 million.
If that seems a little steep, it’s worth knowing that the lot also includes a six-bedroom home set in some 28 acres of landscaped gardens and parkland, about 12 miles from Darlington.
Park House, which dates from the late 17th century, belonged to Eden’s mother and is set around a central courtyard.
The main house to the eastern and southern sides of that courtyard is a large, traditional country house of 5210sq ft.
The original Georgian property has more modern additions, with a contemporary south wing that is ideally placed to frame distant views of the formal gardens beyond.
The main house offers five reception rooms and five bathrooms, while the cottage — at the north-eastern corner — has two more bedrooms, and could be used as a granny flat, staff accommodation or a holiday let. As well as its own front door, it even has a separate drive.
Stretching out from the western side of the courtyard are the outbuildings, which include workshops and — in a touch which will delight many potential buyers — a series of garages with room for seven cars. At last your dreams of putting together a vintage car collection can come true.
Alternatively, the outbuildings could very easily be used instead as stables — though given the space on offer (both indoor and outdoor) those two options are just the start of the possibilities.
All in all, there's nearly 10,000 sq ft of space on offer, while those extensive grounds and gardens include formal areas, landscaped parkland, woodland and paddocks.
The finishing touch? The house is truly secluded and private accessed via a long driveway that winds its way through the grounds. In fact when we looked it up on the map, we thought the coordinates were wrong since there were, at the default zoom level, no roads to be seen. The house is half-way between Darlington and Durham (both roughly 12 miles), while Bishop Auckland is the nearest town. There are also famed day trip spots such as Barnard Castle not far away.
‘One of Durham’s finest houses’ comes to the market
Broomshiels Hall is classic Georgian country house set within extensive gardens.
A guide to the native cattle breeds of Britain, from Aberdeen Angus to Jerseys
How many of these native cattle breeds would you recognise from travelling through the British countryside or from the butcher’s
-
The life that thrives among the dead: How wildlife finds a home in the graveyards and churchyards of BritainHome to a veritable ‘Noah’s Ark of species’, thanks to never being ploughed, sprayed or fertilised, our churchyards offer a sacred haven for flora and fauna, says Laura Parker.
-
‘What a shame when a dinosaur disappears into the mansion of an oligarch rather than being displayed for all to enjoy’: The ethics of the dinosaur auctionFancy a stegosaurus in your living room? You can buy one at auction. But the latest luxury good is a paleontologist's worst nightmare.
-
The majestic New Forest estate formerly owned by a billionaire adventurer — famous for driving 'the world's fastest kettle' — has come up for saleGreat estates in the unspoilt setting of the New Forest are always a welcome sight on the market, and Newton Park is a wonderful example with a sad story to tell. Anna White tells more.
-
A Hampshire Manor for sale that dates back to the days of Alfred the Great, with the most beautiful staircase we've seen in yearsThe ten bedroom property features an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa complex and stables, and it was restored by the same architect who worked on Downing Street.
-
The new property hotspots where you can have it all: Beautiful houses, great schools and idyllic lifestyleAcross the country people are selling up and heading to the towns where there's no compromise on dream homes, outstanding schooling and the good life, according to analysis from two of Britain's top estate agents. Anna White explains.
-
Where Venice once ruled: The roving Venetians left handsome imprints across the Greek world, from its religion to its rambling villasMatthew Dennison explores the lingering traces of Venice's vanished empire — and the best places to buy where it once stood.
-
A delightful 16th century home with some of Kent's most beautiful gardens has come on to the marketThe Grange puts the 'garden' into the Garden of England.
-
A pristine Scottish island for sale at the price of a garage in FulhamA dot on the map of the west coast of Scotland has come on to the market, where you'll be surrounded by sea, living off grid and be neighbours with the local seal colony.
-
18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country LifeOur look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past week includes Georgian manor houses, charming commutable homes and the grandest home in Newcastle.
-
The gorgeous Somerset home of the designer behind one of Glastonbury's chicest spotsThe Manor in Hinton Blewitt is a glorious Georgian home that ticks every box.
