The Christmas sales reach the property market: Six beautiful houses that have had their prices reduced
From the Kent coast and the hills of Dorset to a bona fide country house just 20 minutes from central London, these fine homes have all had recent price cuts.
It hasn't just been an up-and-down year in the world of property. It's been an up-and-down decade. Nick Leeming of Jackson-Stops put it perfectly in our piece on property price predictions for 2026, talking about the ‘six years of exceptional volatility driven by Covid, fiscal shocks and political uncertainty'. From Brexit to the 'race for space', and from the Pandemic to the financial shock precipitated by Liz Truss's short-lived stint at 10 Downing Street, some wonderful homes have failed to find buyers. Some vendors have been able to wait, but many have responded by trimming their asking prices in recent months. But things are changing.
The much-anticipated 2026 Budget is now in the rear-view mirror, and turned out to be far less unsettling for the country house market than feared beforehand. Interest rates are coming down too, as is inflation. Leeming added that he thinks we're not seeing 'a return to a more stable and recognisable housing market', with gently rising prices in 2026. As the pressures on the market ease it could be a good time for buyers who've been holding back.
Kent — Was £2,500,000, now £2,250,000
Rarely have we seen a house so calculated to appeal to the average nuclear family. There's a beautiful open-plan kitchen-diner, separate utility room and walk-in pantry for mum; a swimming pool and a huge garden for the kids; and a study, a boot room and a £250,000 discount to keep dad happy. What could be better?
With bags of mid-20th century period charm, this house is set close to the sea in Broadstairs, with its sandy beach and direct trains to London. That is a LOT of boxes ticked.
For sale via Fine & Country — see more details and pictures.
Gloucestershire — Was £2,250,000, now £1,950,000
In the rolling Cotswolds hills just north of Cheltenham, and close to a pretty village called Gretton, this five-bedroom farmhouse comes with 16 acres of land. Despite the peaceful and secluded surroundings, the M5 is less than ten miles away making it potentially commutable to places such as Bristol and Birmingham.
The whole place has been expertly refurbished, albeit in places with a few modern touches and, in places, an exotic colour scheme that won't be to everyone's taste (although we do love the green billiard room). But for those who share the taste, or don't mind a spot of redecorating, this seems a great prospect. Especially with a price cut a couple of weeks ago which takes it below the mansion tax threshold.
For sale via Knight Frank — see more details and pictures.
Cumbria — Was £2,000,000, now £1,750,000
It's hard to believe that this Cumbrian home near Cockermouth hasn't been snapped up, even at the original £2 million asking price. The value on offer for an 11-bedroom home set in 11 acres of land in one of Britain's most beautiful areas is quite something.
There is work to be done at Tallentire Hall, but this home — whose oldest parts date to the 16th century — is surely worth the effort, particularly since a lordship title is available via separate negotiation. And given the £250,000 price cut, you'll have some spare change to negotiate with.
For sale via Fine & Country — see more details and pictures.
London — Was £6,250,000, now £5,950,000AND London — Was £9,750,000, now £8,750,000
Proper country houses within London are rare beasts, but that is what is on offer at Oakfield House, a vast mansion in almost four acres of lawns and woodland that's just over half a mile from the station at Mill Hill East.
It's quite the place, and a little affordable following a £300,000 price cut. Seven bedrooms and almost 7,000 sq ft of space set over three floors, with more outbuildings within the grounds. And all just 20 minutes on the Tube from the centre of London.
It's for sale via Marcus Parfitt — see more details and pictures.
If you're looking for something even bigger — both in terms of discount and property size — we've got you covered. Nearby Highwood Hill is for sale at the moment having recently relaunched on the market at £8,750,000. That's a cool £1 million less than its original asking price when it was put up for sale in March 2024.
Highwood Lodge Farm Estate is an equestrian estate within the M25.
The estate's 16 acres are a true rarity in London, and the stables are hugely impressive: there are 14 loose boxes, pasture and accommodation for grooms.
Highwood Lodge is beautiful inside and out.
It's for sale via Savills — see more details.
West Sussex — Was £1,850,000, now £1,750,000
A delightful house in the heart of Bosham, the village just outside Chichester that's one of the most sought-after spots on the south coast. It's been cleared out and is ready for the new owners to come straight in; we suspect that's the reason for the £100,000 price reduction (a discount which, assuming you buy this as your primary home, will cover most of the Stamp Duty).
For whoever ends up living here, it'll be a dreamy home where you can go sailing or paddling in Chichester Harbour, enjoy the village ambiance, or spend time in the pretty garden.
For sale via House — see more details and pictures.
Dorset — Was £1,950,000, now £1,650,000
What was once a Victorian schoolhouse in a heavenly, bucolic setting is now a 21st century home in a heavenly, bucolic setting. Why the price cut? We suspect it's the unusual use of space. The heart of the house is a huge living space, the old school hall, some 36ft-long room with a vaulted veiling; yet the three bedrooms are all fairly modestly sized.
It's wonderfully done, however, and those who are happy with the place as it is will be delighted to own a grand home in a blessed swathe of Dorset, near Shaftesbury. And if you feel it could do with some tweaks? The £300,000 saving should more than cover architects, builders and any back and forth with Historic England about potential changes to the layout of this Grade II-listed home.
For sale via Savills — see more details and pictures.
