Five palatial mansions for sale, including one with its own private swimming lake, as seen in Country Life
Sometimes bigger really is better.

Some 5,000sq ft of space is on offer at this grand country home dating back to the 16th century, with timber beams and enormous open fireplaces.
Perhaps best of all? The enormous country kitchen with stone floors, doors onto the terrace and a bottle green Aga.
For sale with Strutt & Parker. See more pictures and details for this property.
A seven-bedroom home in a pretty village not far from Aylesbury, with 22 acres of grounds that take in parkland, paddocks and formal areas.
For sale with Michael Graham. See more pictures and details for this property.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
With direct access to Frensham Common, in the heart of the Surrey Hills near Farnham, this century-old Arts-and-Crafts home is a true haven from the world (it even has its own swimming lake), yet still just an hour from central London.
For sale with Savills. See more pictures and details for this property.
A Wentworth Estate home with all the shiny marble opulence you'd expect of some of the smartest (and biggest) homes in this part of the Home Counties.
The agents tell us that it has a 'Lutron HomeWorks lighting system' and a 'Crestron home automation', neither of which we'd ever heard of before, but we're imagning great things that may or may not stop short of a full-blown robotic AI butler. (Disclaimer: they almost certainly do stop short of including a robotic AI butler.)
For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures and details for this property.
With a location 'on one of the country's most exclusive private roads', this yet-to-be-finished mansion near Sunningdale has everything from a Norwegian sauna to a State Drawing Room. Just as you'd hope at this price, of course.
For sale with Strutt & Parker. See more pictures and details for this property.
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
-
Water you're waiting for? Britain's best heritage lidos were built to save swimmers from polluted seas full of potato peelings, oil and coal — and they're still in action today
The seaside lido continues to offer safe swimming for holidaymakers irrespective of the tide, but they're also architectural gems worthy of our admiration.
By Kathryn Ferry Published
-
Ironmongers' Hall: The medieval marvel destroyed by a First World War bomb, and it's inspiring 21st century renaissance
Ironmongers’ Hall in London EC2 — home of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers — is one of the Great Twelve City Livery Companies. This year it is celebrating the centenary of its Tudor-style Hall; John Goodall takes a look, and tells the remarkable story of the building. Photographs by Will Pryce for the Country Life Picture Library
By John Goodall 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
-
The new property hotspots where you can have it all: Beautiful houses, great schools and idyllic lifestyle
Across 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.
By Anna White Published
-
Where Venice once ruled: The roving Venetians left handsome imprints across the Greek world, from its religion to its rambling villas
Matthew Dennison explores the lingering traces of Venice's vanished empire — and the best places to buy where it once stood.
By Matthew Dennison Last updated
-
A delightful 16th century home with some of Kent's most beautiful gardens has come on to the market
The Grange puts the 'garden' into the Garden of England.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A pristine Scottish island for sale at the price of a garage in Fulham
A 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.
By Toby Keel Published
-
18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country Life
Our 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.
By Toby Keel Published
-
The gorgeous Somerset home of the designer behind one of Glastonbury's chicest spots
The Manor in Hinton Blewitt is a glorious Georgian home that ticks every box.
By Toby Keel Published