With the release of the feature film Downton Abbey on September 13 in the UK, ardent fans can celebrate the continuing saga of sex, servants and shenanigans at the country seat of the 7th Earl of Grantham. But why does the notion of living on an estate still hold so much appeal? Dawn Carritt of Jackson-Stops notes that the great estates saw the building of some of the greatest houses, with money lavished on landscape and architecture on an unbelievable scale.
‘Estates offer a degree of escapism,’ she explains, ‘a look into a bygone era where everyone knew their place in the pecking order of society – squire looked after servant and servant looked after squire.’
As well as the Downton-nostalgia factor, the fact that estates rarely come up for sale makes them highly attractive to domestic and foreign buyers. Mark McAndrew of Strutt & Parker says only 28 estates were sold in England last year.
Of those changing hands, 23 went on the open market and five were sold privately. ‘Some owners would rather avoid the glare of publicity, so if the sale doesn’t go through they can withdraw the property quietly,’ he points out. However, Mr McAndrew encourages clients to put their houses on the open market ‘so they don’t risk missing Mr Big, who doesn’t know he wants their estate until he sees it’.
Prices range from £5 million to £125 million plus, which can represent good value when compared with some homes in Mayfair and Kensington, costly due to higher land prices in London, Mr McAndrew adds.
Crispin Holborow of Savills notes that there can be ‘price creep’ in the estate sector. ‘Keen purchasers up their budgets because they can. They realise they have to pay the price for a country estate that isn’t blighted by rights of way, flight paths and other conditions that cause concern.’
So how does the life of the Crawleys a century ago differ from that of estate owners today? Knight Franks’s Angus Harley suggests that landowners in the 21st century want to ‘truly indulge in pleasing pastimes, such as fishing, shooting, riding, tennis and cricket (the latter on a specially built private pitch). They also want to make their mark for the future by planting trees and establishing green schemes’. One of Mr Harley’s clients has created a wildlife habitat on his estate, while another landowner has introduced renewables to light and heat his house and other buildings in an energy-friendly way.
‘Greater efficiencies with tools and equipment are in evidence now, compared with tasks being undertaken by hand and horse in the early 20th century,’ remarks Mr Harley. Downton Abbey was stuffed with staff such as Mr Carson and Mrs Patmore, but, today, our estates employ far fewer people who perform multiple roles.
Rupert Clark of Savills offers support and advice to estate owners, including the Carnarvon family at Highclere Castle, the primary location for Downton Abbey.
He believes the Downton world would have been more feudal, contrasting with a more collaborative and business-oriented approach today. ‘Estate owners have to derive income to manage and maintain large houses by opening them to the public and giving a nod to leisure pursuits. It’s a costly exercise and substantial houses need to earn their keep.’
The use of buildings has altered over time, too, argues Robert McCulloch of Strutt & Parker in Scotland where 22 estates sold last year for a total of about £57 million. ‘Traditional grooms’ quarters and bothies are now deployed as home and farm estate offices and holiday accommodation.’
In addition, the social fabric of the countryside has changed, Mr McCulloch adds. ‘Downton Abbey-style estates had 40 or 50 families depending on owners for their livelihoods, which is not the case today.’
Despite the shift, Clive Hopkins of Knight Frank holds a list of prospective buyers eager to be lords of their own manors. ‘Many wait until the right house in the right setting within two hours of London or Edinburgh comes along,’ while others will make compromises in order to buy their very own Downton Abbey.
Scotland's most expensive private house comes up for sale for the second time since 1796
Seton Castle's history is a fascinating mix of ups and downs as Penny Churchill explains.
Nine wonderful homes from £350,000 to £11 million, as seen in Country Life
Enjoy our round-up of places new to the market in the last week or two, including an amazing property in
-
I've seen the light: How a dark and gloomy kitchen in the Scottish Borders was reconfigured for 21st century livingWhen a family home passed to a new generation, Guild Anderson was asked to create a kitchen suited to modern living.
-
Once threatened with extinction, the peregrine falcon has made a remarkable comebackIn the latest instalment of Mark Cocker's 'Winging it' column, he looks at the peregrine, a bird of prey with astonishing speed and super strength.
-
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 is 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.
