A grand country house with unparalleled nature views near Chichester
A magnificent Arts & Crafts property that's ideal for entertaining, Honer House also looks out across the RSPB Pagham Harbour nature reserve.
South-East England property for sale
Those who move out of London often focus on the surrounding areas, the so-called Home Counties: Surrey, Sussex and Kent to the south; Berkshire and Buckinghamshire to the west; Middlesex, Hertfordshire and Essex to the north and east. Slightly further out are Hampshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire, which also balance of country life with easy access to the metropolis.
Surrey is the county most associated with the ‘stockbroker belt’: it’s very close to London but still leafy and attractive and boasts world-famous estates such as St George’s Hill and Wentworth. Its market towns like Haslemere and Farnham have great amenities and quick rail links back into the capital.
Sussex is perhaps best characterised by the views offered in the beautiful South Downs, but there are also vibrant cities such as Brighton and Chichester which offera real cosmopolitan mix.
Kent, the Garden of England, has been growing in popularity for those moving out of London for some time, and country houses in Kent are remarkably good value compared to those in neighbouring Sussex or Surrey.
Many parts of Hampshire are very pretty and yet still commutable to London – Kingsclere and Winchester are both within an hour of Waterloo, the former a classic English village, the latter with its medieval cobbled streets and fun markets one of the most desirable Cathedral cities in the country.
In Berkshire, towns and villages such as Bucklebury, Bray, and Yattendon are justly famous, while in Buckinghamshire the likes of Long Crendon are both practical and picturesque.
Herfordshire has the charming city of St Albans to recommend it while Harpenden and Hertforshire are also enduringly popular, while Essex has countryside that inspired Constable as well as 350 miles of coastline.
Don’t miss Country Life’s guide to the best places to live near London
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A modernist house by the architect that inspired James Bond's arch-villain
Teesdale, in Windlesham, Surrey, was built by Ernö Goldfinger, the inspiration for Auric Goldfinger, and it's luxurious enough to suit a Bond villain.
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What £1 million buys across Britain today, including a 13-bedroom mansion in Somerset
You don't have to be a millionaire to live in a grand country mansion, as these beautiful homes across Britain demonstrate.
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A charming family home in Kent with magnificent, wildlife-friendly gardens
The Croft, in Detling, has repeatedly won awards for its striking grounds, which support a variety of wildlife.
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A grand Hampshire house in need of renovation, which once belonged to Jane Austen's nephew
Home to George Austen until 1895, Oaklands House, in Rowland's Castle, Hampshire, has kept intact many period features, but now needs some TLC.
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A charming, Grade II listed thatched house with a separate studio for sale in Cambridgeshire
This delightful 16th Century chocolate box house is tastefully finished with an artistic flair, in an attractive village near Cambridge.
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A Grade II-listed, beautifully renovated barn in a vibrant Bedfordshire village
The Dovecote, in Colmworth, Bedfordshire combined sleek modern style with striking period features.
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A spectacular clifftop home with magnificent views of the English Channel... and a huge amount of work to be done
With its fabulous sea views and plenty of entertaining space both indoors and on the grounds, South Sands House, in St Margaret’s Bay, near Dover, is a striking family home. Or at least, it will be.
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The best country houses for sale in Surrey, from under £600,000 to over £20 million
There is lots on sale in Surrey to tempt London buyers in search of a new family home. We take a look at what you can get for any budget.
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A majestic country estate set in 300 acres of historic parkland in Kent
Grade I-listed Chilham Castle, in Chilham, Kent, graces the market for the first time in 20 years.
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An exquisitely symmetrical, elegant and flamboyant Georgian house in a quaint Oxfordshire village
West Hanney House sits elegantly in the middle of its walled three-acre garden.
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A vast, late 19th-century house brought back to full glory in a delightful Kent village
With 10,166sq ft of accommodation and a wide range of formal reception rooms, Blackmoor House is ideal for entertaining on a large scale.
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Enchanting country house in Oxfordshire adorned with intriguing witch marks
The Grade II listed property sits in the centre of sought-after village Garsington.
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Best country houses for sale in Kent, from period cottages to converted oast houses
From a Regency vicarage to an oast house conversion, there are plenty of great properties for sale in the Garden of England.
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Nine wonderful country houses for sale in West Sussex, from £500,000 to £6.75 million
Whether you're after a charming cottage or an estate to call your own, our list of the best country houses for sale in West Sussex makes tempting reading.
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An opulent country house with lake views, set in 20 acres in the New Forest
A superb New Forest setting meets luxurious interiors and panoramic views at Chatley Wood House, in Highwood, Hampshire.
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A 16th century farmhouse overlooking beautiful countryside in Buckinghamshire
Dorcas Farm combines elegant interiors with an idyllic setting only 15 minutes from Milton Keynes.
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A medieval manor house in Sussex with its own swimming pool, golf course and a fresco in the sitting room
Grade II-listed Tanyard Manor, near east Grinstead, combined charming interiors full of period details with a wide range of sporting facilities.
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A truly idyllic mansion for sale in the South Downs, with a private jetty for boating and swimming in the river
In the famously pretty wild swimming spot of Barcombe Mills is a lovely 19th century house that's come to the market. Penny Churchill takes a look.
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A former Dower House in magnificent Hertfordshire countryside half an hour by train from London
With its several centuries of history, beautiful country views and an ideal location within easy reach of London, Grade II-listed Great Offley House is perfect for a family.
