Two stunning houses for sale in perhaps Surrey’s most sought-after village
Chiddingfold is among the most sought-after villages in Surrey, both for its accessibility to central London and the beauty of the surrounding countryside. Penny Churchill reports on two beautiful homes which have just come to the market in this fabulous spot.


Surrey featured prominently in the Rural Rides of the journalist and social reformer William Cobbett, who was born and buried in Farnham and journeyed on horseback around south-east England in the 1820s, to see for himself the effects of industrialisation on life in a fast-changing countryside.
One day, in 1825, a ride of 12 miles or so took him from Northchapel in West Sussex to the village of Chiddingfold, three miles from Witley, which, he pointed out, ‘is in the Weald of Surrey, that is to say, the country of oak-timber’.
‘This Chiddingfold is a very pretty place,’ sighed Cobbett, as he dismounted to stretch his legs before continuing on his way.
Today, the village is as pretty as ever – with its picturesque village green, pond, 12th-century St Mary’s Church and ancient The Crown Inn – but it has many beautiful homes that Cobbett would never have seen.
The oaks he referred to were chosen by Arts-and-Crafts architects of the late 19th and early 20th centuries as their building material of choice; and the Wealden clay which had historically made farming difficult was a delight for garden designers, who discovered that it was perfect for growing spectacular rhododendrons, azaleas and all kinds of exotic flowering shrubs. No wonder Chiddingfold is among the most sought-after villages in Surrey.
One of the village’s finest homes has come to the market via Nigel Mitchell of Knight Frank: the gorgeous, Grade II-listed Glebe House, which stands in about five acres of ‘phenomenal’ gardens and grounds at the heart of the village.
Offers over £6.5 million are sought for a home that is the former country retreat of the Bishops of Winchester, beautifully refurbished by its current owners, whose family home it has been for 25 years.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Although quintessentially Georgian in style, its listing reveals that the grand, 11,255sq ft house is built around a traditional timber-framed core, encased and extended in the early 19th century, with subsequent, early-20th-century additions. It also comes with a recently renovated, period two-bedroom cottage, with its own walled garden and views over the village pond.
The main house has five/six reception rooms – including an impressive, double-aspect drawing room and a splendid dining room with trompe-l’oeil panelling – seven bedrooms and five bathrooms.
Glebe House is one of few genuinely unspoilt, Georgian houses in this prime commuter area that can boast a secluded, country-house setting at the centre of an idyllic village location, the agents say.
With the gardens seen to their best advantage and a beautiful pool area, tennis court and croquet lawn in which to while away the hours, summers here are something to be savoured, say the owners, who, apart from their wonderful house, will miss ‘the sweet scent of wood smoke drifting across from The Crown, the occasional uplifting peal of the church bells and, incredibly, the song of the nightingale!’.
Surrey is synonymous with Arts-and-Crafts houses, of which Chiddingfold offers a perfect example in the shape of Grade II-listed Mesylls – an equestrian dream set in some 10 acres of formal gardens and paddocks amid prime Chiddingfold country-side – which is for sale at £2.75 million.
Mesylls was built at the beginning of the 20th century by Maurice Pocock, an architect known in his day as ‘the complete Arts-and-Craftsman’ and renowned for his meticulous attention to detail. Using the best designs from his substantial repertoire, Pocock built the house for his own occupation, of brick, with part tile-hung elevations and three substantial gables.
Described, on its completion, as ‘wooden, tile-hung and red russet Queen Anne’, Mesylls has, unusually for these parts, never been extended and remains little changed.
The house offers some 4,400sq ft of accommodation including a reception hall, three reception rooms, a kitchen/breakfast room, a study/studio, seven bedrooms and four bath/shower rooms.
It comes with numerous outbuildings, stabling, fenced paddocks and access to privately owned woodland full of bluebells in season, all part of the surrounding AONB.
Glebe House is on the market for offers over £6.5 million – see more pictures and details.
Mesylls is for sale at £2.75 million – see more pictures and details.
The 50 best places to live near London
Where are the best villages, towns and small cities which are a pleasure to live in, but still offer a
The best places to live near London: Surrey
There are seven villages and towns in Surrey which made the list of our best places to live near London
The best places to live for commuters: West Sussex
Two villages in West Sussex have been selected for our list of the best places to live near London for
A sprawling and beautifully-restored country house with woodland in the heart of Surrey
Tucked away near Farnham in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty you'll find Sentry Hill, a gorgeous country
A manor house under £1m that’s close to London, near a great school and boasts a fabulous history
A property of incredible British historical significance has come up for sale in Buckinghamshire.
-
The real Bear Grylls: Country Life Quiz of the Day, July 2, 2025
Britain's longest pier is among the highlights of Wednesday's Quiz of the Day.
By Country Life Published
-
What do 19th century rowers, Queen Victoria and Giorgio Armani all have in common? They helped to popularise the world's most versatile jacket — the blazer
Everyone from royalty to rappers seems to have one in their wardrobe. Harry Pearson lists the merits of the blazer, a true sartorial team player.
By Harry Pearson Published
-
Where Venice once ruled: The roving Venetians left handsome imprints across the Greek world, from its religion to its rambling villas
Matthew Dennison explores the lingering traces of Venice's vanished empire — and the best places to buy where it once stood.
By Matthew Dennison Last updated
-
A delightful 16th century home with some of Kent's most beautiful gardens has come on to the market
The Grange puts the 'garden' into the Garden of England.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A pristine Scottish island for sale at the price of a garage in Fulham
A dot on the map of the west coast of Scotland has come on to the market, where you'll be surrounded by sea, living off grid and be neighbours with the local seal colony.
By Toby Keel Published
-
18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country Life
Our look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past week includes Georgian manor houses, charming commutable homes and the grandest home in Newcastle.
By Toby Keel Published
-
The gorgeous Somerset home of the designer behind one of Glastonbury's chicest spots
The Manor in Hinton Blewitt is a glorious Georgian home that ticks every box.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A 600-year-old National Trust property that you can call home
This blooming property in Kent showcases the original garden of England. Penny Churchill takes a look.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A wisteria-clad delight with lawns running down to the Thames at the prettiest riverside home for sale in London today
Deodar Road, near Putney High Street, offers unrivalled views of the Thames and is characterful in excess.
By James Fisher Published
-
Five of the most majestic properties for sale in Britain today, from a 1,700-acre estate to a private island, as seen in Country Life
Our look at the best homes to come to the market via Country Life this week includes some genuinely breathtaking places.
By Toby Keel Published