A sympathetically updated country retreat, with sunken gardens, equestrian facilities and a Cheval Liberté barn
The home of former Australian eventer Robyn Whitehead is back on the market and more beautiful than ever, with 12 acres full of enchanting gardens and top-draw equestrian facilities. Penny Churchill reports.


Former Australian eventer Robyn Whitehead and her husband, Bruce, started the search for their ideal equestrian property in Somerset on returning from Australia, to be close to Bruce’s parents, some five years ago. However, their compass soon switched to East Sussex when Bruce discovered its proximity to the wine cellars of Calais and a crumbling Arts-and-Crafts house called Darwell Hill at Netherfield, near Battle, showed up on their radar.
Darwell Hill is for sale through the Tunbridge Wells office of Knight Frank at a guide price of £1.7m for the house, buildings and almost 12 acres of gardens and grounds. A further nine acres of paddocks, with a field shelter, are available by separate negotiation.
Designed in 1926 by the architect Leslie MacDonald (Max) Gill for Harold Heal of Heals of London, Darwell Hill featured in an article in Country Life (March 3, 1928), which revealed that Mr Heal had been searching up and down Sussex, Kent and Surrey for a suitable site on which to build his dream country retreat.
The account continues: ‘It had to be a high site, with woodland all round, and at last he came to Darwell Hill. The house was built into the hillside, with its front windows looking across to the sea, Beachy Head on the left and the South Downs in the westward distance... Obviously, with this open view must come exposure to weather, and in carrying out the work, it has been very necessary to make everything stout and proof against wind and rain.’
Wind and rain had evidently taken their toll during the tenure of the previous owners, who had been there since 1970, although the site and the views were as captivating as ever. Having bought the property, the Whiteheads set about systematically remodelling and improving it, rebuilding the roof, installing new windows, heating and wiring throughout.
The house now offers five reception rooms, six bedrooms and two bathrooms. It stands amid enchanting gardens that include a walled garden, an old rose garden and a sunken garden partially screened by trees. Excellent equestrian facilities, with separate vehicular access, include a large Cheval Liberté American-style barn, a tack room and wash-down area, plus direct access to riding trails in Darwell Wood and beyond.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
A beautiful former rectory with equestrian facilities and a lake
Church House sits in 11 acres on the edge of Bredon Hill, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Worcestershire.
Dreamy Cotswold farmhouse complete with excellent equestrian facilities and a party barn
Bosmere Farm is a wonderful family house in a stunning rural setting.
Immaculate country house with equestrian facilities that are second to none
Idyllic Standen House at Chute Standen on the Hampshire-Wiltshire border has been cleverly redesigned for family life.
An exceptional equestrian estate with mouthwatering stabling and training facilities
Recently renovated The Manor at Lillingstone Lovell is set in 120 acres and offers extensive equestrian facilities.
A grand country house built by Robert Bruce, with a billiards room, tennis courts and equestrian facilities beyond belief
Credit: Knight Frank
A delightful Grade II-listed manor house sold after the Dissolution, with remarkable equestrian facilities and a rich farming history
Foxcote Manor is the perfect country house – large without being unmanageable, with plenty of grounds and good transport links to
-
Sanderson's new collection is inspired by The King's pride and joy — his Gloucestershire garden
Designers from Sanderson have immersed themselves in The King's garden at Highgrove to create a new collection of fabric and wallpaper which celebrates his long-standing dedication to Nature and biodiversity.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
The coveted Hermès Birkin bag is a safer investment than gold — and several rare editions are being auctioned off by Christie’s
There are only 200,000 Birkin bags in circulation which has helped push prices of second-hand ones up.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
A mini estate in Kent that's so lovely it once featured in Simon Schama's 'History of Britain'
The Paper Mill estate is a picture-postcard in the Garden of England.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Hidden excellence in a £7.5 million north London home
Behind the traditional façades of Provost Road, you will find something very special.
By James Fisher Published
-
Sip tea and laugh at your neighbours in this seaside Norfolk home with a watchtower
On Cliff Hill in Gorleston, one home is taller than all the others. It could be yours.
By James Fisher Published
-
A Grecian masterpiece that might be one of the nation's finest homes comes up for sale in Kent
Grade I-listed Holwood House sits in 40 acres of private parkland just 15 miles from central London. It is spectacular.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Some of the finest landscapes in the North of England with a 12-bedroom home attached
Upper House in Derbyshire shows why the Kinder landscape was worth fighting for.
By James Fisher Published
-
Could Gruber's Antiques from Paddington 2 be your new Notting Hill home?
It was the home of Mr Gruber and his antiques in the film, but in the real world, Alice's Antiques could be yours.
By James Fisher Published
-
What should 1.5 million new homes look like?
The King's recent visit to Nansledan with the Prime Minister gives us a clue as to Labour's plans, but what are the benefits of traditional architecture? And can they solve a housing crisis?
By Lucy Denton Published
-
Welcome to the modern party barn, where disco balls are 'non-negotiable'
A party barn is the ultimate good-time utopia, devoid of the toil of a home gym or the practicalities of a home office. Modern efforts are a world away from the draughty, hay-bales-and-a-hi-fi set-up of yesteryear.
By Madeleine Silver Published