Part Scottish castle, part French chateau, part Gothic fantasy: The $60 million home in the heart of the wealthiest village in Texas

Nobody loves a Scottish castle more than we do at Country Life. Or so we thought until we came across a place called 'The Lodge at Hunters Creek'.

If you're thinking what we thought upon hearing the name, you'd be right: the name makes it sound like a log cabin in the wilderness. Instead, this is a home that's quite an extraordinary building — like a cross between a Highland mansion, a Belle Epoque apartment in Paris and a five-star resort in Thailand, all wrapped up in an exclusive enclave in Texas. It's the sort of place you could imagine Batman living; and it's currently for sale at a dollar under $60 million — or just under £45 million at the present exchange rate.

The house is built in what's called the Richardsonian Romanesque style, named for American architect Henry Hobson Richardson, which consciously draws influences from the architecture of medieval Europe. But there's much more going on here, with the Romanesque arches and Gothic touches sitting alongside beautiful ironwork, huge picture windows, wood-panelled walls and cavernous fireplaces.

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All this sits within a dreamy setting: acres of quiet woodland in the city of Hunter's Creek, and affluent suburb of Houston. Very affluent suburb, I should say: Hunters Creek is reportedly the wealthiest town in Texas, with its well-heeled residents having the luxury of their own police and fire services to keep them safe and secure.

Whether you wish to live in Texas — or indeed the USA, these days — is an entirely different question. But for those looking for a corner of Texas to call their own, the setting is as much of a draw as the house: the six 'Memorial Villages' are regarded as the finest suburbs of the thriving city of Houston, and Hunter's Creek is, according to Alasdair Hedley of John D Wood, the 'crown jewel' of the lot.

'Hunters Creek Village was originally created to preserve its rural, rustic character — and that sense of space and privacy is exactly what continues to draw ultra-high net worth buyers today,' says Alasdair.

'It offers large, architecturally significant homes, excellent schools and a quiet, wooded setting, all just a short distance from central Houston — a combination that’s increasingly rare.'

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There's no denying the beauty of the place — even the guesthouse, 'several acres' away from the main house, would be an incredible home in its own right. But who are the well-heeled Houston buyers looking at homes here in the $50 million-plus price range?

'We’re seeing strong interest from wealthy families relocating into Texas who want space, security and prestige without losing connectivity,' says Alasdair. '

'Its "wealthiest town" ranking simply confirms what global buyers already recognise: Hunters Creek Village is one of Houston’s most desirable enclaves. This magnificent property, bordered by Buffalo Bayou, captures that perfectly, with real seclusion and sweeping woodland views.'

It is, in other words, as good as it gets in Houstson — a point eloquently made by the co-agent.

'The Lodge at Hunters Creek represents the pinnacle of luxury living in Houston,' adds Carol Wolfe of Coldwell Banker Realty, 'a rare estate where privacy, scale, and architectural presence come together in a way that may never be replicated again.'

The Lodge at Hunters Creek is for sale at $59,999,999 via John D Wood & Co. International and Carol Wolfe at Coldwell Banker Realty.