Those of us who dream of escaping to the country and living in a beautiful cottage tend to have an unofficial checklist. A thatched roof for starters; an inglenook fireplace; original beams retained as features in walls and ceilings; and pretty windows, of course, possibly leaded, and if so then done in a diamond pattern.
Kitchens are so important that they have their own little list, at the top of which is an Aga, naturally (other brands of kitchen stove are available, of course, but we're talking wishlists here). A flagstone floor would be good. Stable door? Of course. And a kitchen which, while traditional, is actually fairly new, and therefore clean and pleasant to use.
As for the rest of the place? A bathroom with a free-standing tub, bedrooms with quirkily-angled ceilings, yet not so angled that they restrict headroom more than a tiny bit.
There should also be a garden that's a slice of bucolic English country garden perfection — ideally with some sort of summer house plus workshop and/or stables.
Any place which ticks off half of these things would make it onto the shortlist of most buyers, but in the case of The Old Thatch — for sale at £1m with Henry Adams via OnTheMarket.com — there is pretty much a clean sweep.
Even the minor deviations add something extra: the workshop and stables are split in half, with the latter having been converted into a pub.
This 16th century cottage in West Sussex between Storrington and Thakeham really is a picture. It's a Grade II-listed, five-bedroom family home that's clearly been restored with huge enthusiasm, resulting in a delightful house that walks that trickiest of tightropes: balancing modern comfort with old world charm.
Is it perfect? Well, no. Nothing is. Some might wish for a walled kitchen garden, a paddock or perhaps a swimming pool. All three bring their own headaches for maintenance or gardening, though, so we'd imagine many buyers being very happy with The Old Thatch just as it is, thank you very much.
The house is set in a third of an acre of gardens that feature a mature willow, bee hives and a patio area, all accessible both from the back door and french windows set in the sitting room.
Even the location ticks the boxes. This prettily-secluded spot is just a mile or so from Storrington — with shops, cafés and a Waitrose — while Pulborough (a four-mile drive) has direct trains to London.
Ten gorgeous thatched cottages for sale across Britain, from under £500,000
Our pick of the best thatched cottages and houses for sale today across England.
-
Rogue sellers and puppy farmers are exploiting Government licensing loopholes at the expense of responsible dog breeders, says The Kennel ClubThe Kennel Club launched a report in the House of Commons last week calling for an urgent review of current licensing regulations.
-
The real Bear Grylls: Country Life Quiz of the Day, July 2, 2025Britain's longest pier is among the highlights of Wednesday's Quiz of the Day.
-
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.
-
A 600-year-old National Trust property that you can call homeThis blooming property in Kent showcases the original garden of England. Penny Churchill takes a look.
-
A wisteria-clad delight with lawns running down to the Thames at the prettiest riverside home for sale in London todayDeodar Road, near Putney High Street, offers unrivalled views of the Thames and is characterful in excess.
-
Five of the most majestic properties for sale in Britain today, from a 1,700-acre estate to a private island, as seen in Country LifeOur look at the best homes to come to the market via Country Life this week includes some genuinely breathtaking places.
