A glorious Sussex home where one of Henry VIII's wives cavorted before marrying the king
Chesworth House's gloriously peaceful appearance belies the shenanigans which took place when a young and lively Catherine Howard lived here before heading off to marry King Henry VIII.


Deep in the heart of West Sussex, the beautiful Chesworth House enjoys an impossibly serene location, within the grounds of Denne Park and close to the headwaters of the River Arun, which runs through the property. Yet the tranquillity of the surroundings are entirely at odds with the house’s colourful past.
Savills quote a guide price of £6m for this historic, Grade II*-listed property near Horsham, which dates from the late 15th century with various 16th- and 17th-century additions and 19th-century extensions to the south-west and north. The place has been elegantly restored and now stands as an 11,162sq ft country house surrounded by landscaped grounds and open spaces, with the River Arun ingeniously incorporated into the garden’s water elements.
The manor of Chesworth was owned in early medieval times by the de Braose family and, later, by the Howards, Dukes of Norfolk. The original 14th-century manor house occupied the moated site south of the present Chesworth House, the earliest part of which was built north of the moat, possibly by the 2nd Duke of Norfolk.
After his death in 1524, it was held by his widow, Agnes, during whose tenure his son, the 3rd Duke, had his niece, Catherine Howard, moved to Chesworth.
A lively Catherine had flings both with a kinsman and her music teacher before being married off to Henry VIII. However, she soon tired of her aging husband and got involved with a courtier, which, allied to reports of previous ‘events’ at Chesworth, resulted in her trial and execution in 1541.
By unhappy coincidence, it was also at Chesworth that, some 30 years later, the 4th Duke of Norfolk was arrested and executed on charges of treason by Elizabeth I.
Thereupon, his property reverted to the Crown and the Chesworth estate was leased as a grace-and-favour residence to a number of dignitaries until 1699, after which the once-grand, 20-bedroom mansion fell into disrepair, becoming little more than a farmhouse.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
In 1928, a dilapidated Chesworth House was bought by a Capt Cook, who enlarged it, restored it to his own designs, laid out extensive gardens and built a new entrance drive from the west.
Finally, in 2010, the last owner but one carried out a further major refurbishment and modernisation, resulting in the impressive country home that is Chesworth House today.
Set in 23 1⁄2 acres of magnificent gardens, lakes, woodland and meadows, the house offers five spacious main reception rooms, several family rooms, a large kitchen/breakfast room, six bedrooms, including a splendid master suite and four bath/shower rooms.
There is also a four-bedroom 'cottage' included – a building for which the word 'cottage' seems woefully inadequate.
Chesworth House is for sale via Savills – see more pictures and details.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Credit: H Tiddy
12 stunning character properties for sale at under £400,000
Thatched homes in Cornwall and West Sussex are among the many highlights of these gorgeous character cottages for sale.
Credit: The Hovel (Pic: Michael Graham)
A real-life Hobbit house as mentioned in the Domesday Book, within commuting distance of London
This gorgeous thatched house in the Buckinghamshire village of Ludgershall could have come straight from the pages of Tolkien.
-
William Hanson: Why etiquette must evolve to suit modern life
Noodle slurping and the left-handed taboo. The king of modern manners details the evolution of proper conduct in his latest book.
By William Hanson Published
-
From one Earl and his dog to the resurrection of one of Scotland's great buildings: The remarkable tale of Glamis Castle
John Goodall explores the development of the medieval Glamis Castle in Angus — seat of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne — and its spectacular transformation into one of the landmark buildings of Scottish architecture. Photography by Paul Highnam.
By John Goodall Published
-
A castle that's 'a masterpiece of the baronial revival' with 17 bedrooms, breathtaking gardens and its own miniature railway
Majestic, imposing, graceful, romantic... Ayton Castle is the very picture of
By Toby Keel Published
-
'One of the finest houses in Cheshire' blends Georgian architecture, modern exoticism and space to park your helicopter
Penny Churchill looks inside Stretton Hall, an exceptional house for sale
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Splendid isolation at four gorgeous properties for sale around the world
For those craving a home that offers a true escape from the world, some wonderful properties are on the market right now. Here's our pick of some of the finest — ideal for nature lovers, those in search of tranquility and Bond villains alike.
By Toby Keel Published
-
The market for super-prime houses in England's biggest millionaire's playground is booming — and this £10m example is one of the best
Whirley Hall is a 17th century building that's a perfect example of how 21st century updates can transform an old home almost beyond recognition.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
If I had to spend the rest of my life living underground, I would do it in this four-bedroom house for sale in the Peak District
The aptly named Underhill is a 'a work of inhabitable art' that was built in the 1970s. And there's a swimming pool in the middle of it.
By James Fisher Published
-
A micro estate for sale in west Wales shows that the best things come in small packages. In this case, three of them
Brithdir is a remarkable collection of properties centred around a lake and just five miles from the sea.
By James Fisher Published
-
This blissful converted mill has sweeping views, a breathtaking library and gardens by a Chelsea gold medallist
Penny Churchill takes a look at Stanbridge Mill, one of the finest properties for sale today in the west country.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Portmore has it all: A 3,459-acre Scottish estate for sale, with a signature Baronial sandstone mansion at its heart
For sale for the first time in 40 years, Portmore Estate is everything you could ever want in Scotland.
By Penny Churchill Published