I do like a bit of understatement. Used correctly, it can be one of the most powerful comedic tools. Outside of comedy, it is the very cement on which English society is built. We have long been fans of Very British Problems, which does a better job than I ever could of explaining it. But basically, when things are fine, they are terrible. When they are good, they are great. And so on.
Understatement brings me neatly to 1, The Priory near Steveneage. Gazing upon this property, as is your want, you might notice something quite distinctive about it. Per the agents, Michael Graham, ‘a wisteria climbs up the side of the house’. I think we can all agree that is something of an understatement. It is for sale for £1.8 million.
Sadly, you do not get the whole Priory. The property was split in two about 50 years ago, but the bit you do get is pretty exceptional and certainly large enough. With four bedrooms, a dining hall, and three reception rooms, there is plenty of space to go around. About 4,600sq ft of space, to be precise.
The property was listed Grade II in the 1970s and it’s not exactly difficult to see why. The interiors are magnificent, a fine example of the very best of Georgian design. The highlight is surely the astounding staircase, with its beautifully intricate cupola. Worth the price of admission all on its own, if you ask me.
The property has been well maintained and cared for by its current owners, with plenty of period features remaining and I am also a big fan of the traditional kitchen with its Aga. The colours are very nice and well thought out, and it feels like you could move straight in.
There’s a fun bit of history to the place too. The property was built as a rectory for St Nicholas Church in 1780, and was once the home of William Jowitt, who was solicitor general to Sir Winston Churchill during the Second World War. Churchill visited the house and once took a call in the downstairs cloakroom, according to the agents.
The situation is pretty good too. Boasting an acre of gardens and grounds, as well as gated driveway parking, there is plenty of space both indoor and out. However, it occupies a very central location within Stevenage itself, providing ease of access to the Old Town of Stevenage as well as mainline train services from Stevenage station. Hitchin is only a 10-minute drive.
-
Stone circles, shark attacks and the year of the three Prime Ministers. Country Life's Quiz of the Day, August 21, 2025Test you general knowledge with Thursday's Quiz of the Day.
-
Will Hosie: In defence of gatekeeping and why we have to stop confusing TopJaw with proper critiqueModern audiences expect critics to keep up with the times, but it's always been their job to keep some places under wraps.
-
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?
-
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.
