The charming 18th century house for sale where John le Carré moved after quitting spying to become a novelist
Escape to the country via Coxley House — a lovely property situated on the edge of the Mendip Hills Area of Natural Beauty in Somerset.


Fans of John Le Carré's spy novels will be thrilled to hear that his former house in Somerset is on the market. Strutt & Parker’s Bath office quotes a guide price of £1.95m for this Georgian gem, Grade II-listed Coxley House in the village of Upper Coxley, which backs onto open countryside on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills AONB, two miles from the cathedral city of Wells.
For years, Coxley House, previously known as Coxley Manor, was the home of the spy-thriller writer le Carré (real name David Cornwell) who bought the house in 1965, following his resignation from the Foreign Office, where he worked in undercover intelligence.
It was also the year that saw the publication of his novel The Looking Glass War. He is said to have written his novels in the garden studio in the grounds of Coxley House.
The charming 18th-century house, set in four acres of formal gardens with a gently sloping paddock beyond, has been painstakingly refurbished by the current owners and offers 4,500sq ft of accommodation on three floors, including two main reception rooms, a snug, office, reading room, kitchen and conservatory on the ground floor; a master suite and two bedrooms on the first floor; and three further bedrooms on the floor above.
It comes with live planning consent for a new outbuilding with two car ports, a garden store and a home office.
Coxley House is currently for sale via Strutt & Parker at a guide price of £1.95 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for more details.
Upper Coxley: What you need to know
Location: Upper Coxley is situated between Glastobury and Shepton Mallet, just two miles from the cathedral city of Wells. Castle Cary is the nearest train station (approximately 30 minutes drive) which offers a main line service to London Paddington (just make sure to steer clear during festival times!)
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Atmosphere: A pretty village that backs onto the Mendip Hills Area of Natural Beauty, Upper Coxley is well situated for schools, amenities and transport links.
Things to do: From Wells cathedral to Glastonbury festival — this area of Somerset offers it all. Nearby Wells has supermarkets, restaurants, doctors and pubs, whereas Glastonbury offers more holistic options. Clarks Village in Street also offers fantastic shopping, with over 90 outlet stores.
Schools: There are a number of good local primary schools including Coxley Primary School and St Cuthbert's Church of England Academy Infants and Pre School, with Wells Cathedral School, Millfield and the Blue School for secondary options.
See more property for sale in the area.
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
In Focus: The story behind Snoopy and Schulz's beloved 'Peanuts' cartoon strip
Alexandra Fraser visits the home of Charles Schulz in Sonoma County, California, to discover the origins of Somerset House’s latest
-
The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same time
The houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
Give the Country Life Quiz of the Day, September 11, 2025 some lovin'
Test your general knowledge in Thursday's Quiz of the Day.
By Country Life Published
-
The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same time
The houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
Living on the edge? A lighthouse for sale on a clifftop on one of the most remote islands in Britain
Bressay Lighthouse was built by the father and uncle of the 'Treasure Island' author.
By Rosie Paterson Published
-
Alan Titchmarsh is selling his Hampshire home (and the garden that comes with it): Exclusive pictures and interview
After many happy years in Hampshire, the writer, broadcaster and national treasure Alan Titchmarsh is selling up and looking to move. He spoke to Penny Churchill about his years at Manor Farm House.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A Lake District escape with views that will make you feel like the king of all you can see
Mellguards's many guest rooms and dual staircases make this property perfect for people who love to host, but tire of their guests quickly.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
One of Yorkshire's great houses, burnt to the ground three generations ago, is back on its feet and on the market for the sixth time in a millennium
Penny Churchill looks at Riseborough Hall, a great house, rich with fascinating history and beautifully apportioned, which burnt to the ground but rose again.
By Penny Churchill Last updated
-
Seven magnificent homes from Cumbria to Devon, as seen in Country Life
Our regular look at the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past few weeks takes in a breathtaking Lake District house and a superb home in Northamptonshire.
By Toby Keel Published
-
'Unquestionably one of the most distinctive and stylish homes in the Cotswolds' is for sale, just across a field from Soho House
With a staircase upcycled from a Spitfire machine gun factory and , and suspended lights came from a Dutch cargo ship. Every element in this room — and indeed throughout the house — tells a story Annabel Dixon peeks inside.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
The world of super-super prime homes, where £100 million is barely even the starting point
A spectacular mountain retreat coming to the market in Colorado offers a glimpse into the very top end of the global property market. Toby Keel takes a look.
By Toby Keel Published