An opulent country house with lake views, set in 20 acres in the New Forest
A superb New Forest setting meets luxurious interiors and panoramic views at Chatley Wood House, in Highwood, Hampshire.


Chatley Wood House, in Highwood, near Rockford, Hampshire, has it all. Set in the glorious Rockford Common, in the New Forest National Park, this six-bedroom country house, which is for sale through Spencers at an asking price of £5.25 million, combines a spectacular location with panoramic views across Blashford Lakes and magnificent, 7,000sq ft interiors where every detail has been carefully considered.
A vaulted entrance hall with a curved staircase sets the tone of the property. Downstairs are a kitchen and breakfast room with Smallbone of Devizes bespoke oak units, granite worktops and Aga, an elegant drawing room with parquet flooring and stone fireplace, the contemporary family room with brick fireplace plus games room and study.
The vast master bedroom, with its twin dressing rooms and striking ensuite, is on the first floor, as are five other bedrooms. The two attics provide ample storage space.
Built by the current owners, Chatley Wood House is equipped with the latest in contemporary technology, from underfloor heating to a Lutron lighting system and Denon audio system.
Outside, a large raised terrace with long views of the lake is perfect for alfresco entertaining while an oak-framed building complete with kitchen and mezzanine spaces provides excellent indoor entertaining space, although it could easily double up as a gym, yoga studio or home office. There also is a stable block with four boxes and tackroom.
The house comes with 20 acres of private gardens, paddock and grounds, as well as bordering thousands of acres of heath and woodland.
Chatley Wood House is for sale at £5.25 million via Spencers — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Rockford: What you need to know
- Location:Rockford is 20 minutes' drive from Bournemouth
- Things to do: Walking, cycling and riding in the New Forest are obvious attractions but two excellent golf courses (Ferndown and Remedy Oak) are nearby and the yachting and boating quays at Lymington are within easy reach.
- Schools: nearby Poulner Infant and Poulner Junio Schools are both rated good by Ofsted.Find more properties in the area.
Carla must be the only Italian that finds the English weather more congenial than her native country’s sunshine. An antique herself, she became Country Life’s Arts & Antiques editor in 2023 having previously covered, as a freelance journalist, heritage, conservation, history and property stories, for which she won a couple of awards. Her musical taste has never evolved past Puccini and she spends most of her time immersed in any century before the 20th.
-
The transformative renovation of a Grade II-listed property with an 'unusual footprint'
Having inherited this fine London townhouse, the new owner asked Sims Hilditch to help refresh the interiors, resulting in a youthful, yet elegant kitchen.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
‘One of the most effective pieces of propaganda ever made’: the Bayeux Tapestry heads to Britain for the first time in almost a millennium
A historic agreement between this country and France sees the 225ft-long tableau — which may have been made in Britain but has been in France since 1077 — arrive at the British Museum in Autumn 2026.
By Carla Passino Published
-
The Good Life 2025? A development promising 'Britain's greenest homes' blends zero carbon, organic allotments and a touch of luxury in the Kent countryside
Hartdene Barns, sitting on a disused dairy farm in Kent, is a vision of what sustainable living one day mean for all of us.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
Breathtaking views and gardens that run down to the water's edge at this delightful home in Cornwall
The Garden House in Polruan sums up the appeal of waterside living. Penny Churchill steps inside.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A 500-acre estate that spent 11 centuries in the same family, for sale for only the second time in its history
In the beautiful hills of north Wales the Garthewin estate has come up for sale, including a great country house once restored by the architect who created Portmeirion. Penny Churchill takes a closer look.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
'The city has always held an important creative space within our design studio': A luxury townhouse in Tokyo, courtesy of Aston Martin
A new four-storey property in the Omotesandō district is the first single home private residence by the British ultra-luxury performance brand.
By James Fisher Published
-
The Mediterranean Magic of Malta
With historic charm, picture-perfect beaches and a welcoming approach to newcomers, Malta represents an appealing option for Mediterranean property hunters. Holly Kirkwood reports.
By Holly Kirkwood Published
-
Four country houses with their own tennis courts, as seen in Country Life
If Wimbledon has put you in the mood for more tennis, Annunciata Elwes is here with a selection of homes with their own tennis courts.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
The majestic New Forest estate formerly owned by a billionaire adventurer — famous for driving 'the world's fastest kettle' — has come up for sale
Great 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.
By Anna White Last updated
-
A Hampshire Manor for sale that dates back to the days of Alfred the Great, with the most beautiful staircase we've seen in years
The 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.
By Lotte Brundle Published