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5 days ago
Check out these ravishing rural residences
Whether you dream of retiring to a rural manor or are looking to buy a second home in the countryside, our roundup of beautiful country homes brings you the latest in luxury rural real estate.
From a 19th century politician and WWII Canadian Air Force cadets, to Oliver! actor Oliver Reed, this Grade II listed, 18th century estate has seen it all. And now’s your chance to own a piece of that history. With a cinema room, heated outdoor swimming pool, bar and far-reaching views across the Surrey and West Sussex countryside towards the South Downs, this five-bedroom home offers up equal parts history and luxury living.
£1,650,000, jackson-stops.co.uk
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Surrounded by chalk downs, ancient trees and spectacular views, this 18th century Dorset home served as a peaceful haven for a much-admired pianist and their children. Originally a Georgian rectory, two symmetrical side extensions were added to the Manor in the 19th century to form the current structure.
£2,950,000, search.savills.com
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Set within 21 acres of land, this former rectory is the perfect place for some peace and quiet. From its Georgian facade and sash windows, to the Jacobean staircase and flagstone flooring, this late 17th century property is rich in period charm. Alongside the formal gardens, there’s a walled swimming pool, paddocks and a Grade II listed thatched barn.
£3,250,0000, struttandparker.com
A former Palm House dating back to 1850, this Grade II listed property has been comprehensively refurbished by the previous owners. Situated within the historic and much regarded Mamhead Estate, the property boasts a striking south facing facade of tall arched windows that maximise natural light and frame open views across the grounds.
£1,250,000, search.savills.com
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Dating from the early 18th century, this Grade II listed country house enjoys far-reaching views across its land and beyond. The Georgian exterior is complemented by a wealth of original features, including open fireplaces, high ceilings, ornate cornicing, large sash windows, deep skirting boards, a leaded fanlight above the front door, working shutters and parquet flooring. Outside: a paddock, stables, pond, woodland, vineyard, heated pool, pavilion and tennis court.
£7,250,000, knightfrank.co.uk and struttandparker.com
Nestled in the Coln Valley, this Grade II riverside home is set within 1.9 acres of enchanting grounds. Dating back to the 17th century, this classic Cotswolds cottage is now on the market for the first time in 30 years.
£3,5000,000, butlersherborn.co.uk
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Dating back to 1420, the oldest part of Lodge Farmhouse was used as a hunting lodge – with local folklore suggesting that Henry VIII and Cromwell were both visitors to the estate. Even older than the central home, the adjoining Falcons (the former falconry) is believed to originate from the 14th century, whilst the Grade II listed barn dates back to the 16th century. More recently extended in 2020, the property – and its 10 acres of land – now boasts a swimming pool, two saunas , steam room, orangery and garden room.
£7,500,000, struttandparker.com and search.savills.com
With 177.53 acres to its name, this South Downs home is one exceptional offering. Beyond the nine-bedroom manor house, the estate boasts an indoor swimming pool, spa pool, sauna, outdoor bar, tennis court and a three-bedroom lodge cottage. Whilst the estate dates back to the Domesday book, the house itself is made up of a west wing from the 17th century (or earlier), plus other Tudor, Georgians and Edwardian additions to the home.
£6,650,000, search.savills.com
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You either need a big family or plenty of friends if you’re going to call this 24-bedroom estate home. With origins tracing back to 1212, this Grade I listed manor is one of the most historically significant country houses in Hertfordshire. A globally renowned centre for agricultural innovation in the 19th century, and a supporting base to nearby Bletchley Park in WWII, this 17th century home has a rich and storied past. Among its 26 acres of grounds, sits the celebrated Garden Clover experiment – an internationally recognised scientific feature that has remained undisturbed since 1854.
£2,000,000, search.savills.com
On the market for the first time in nearly 80 years, this Test Valley mill house comes complete with a detached cottage, swimming pool, mill buildings and riverside views. Dating back to the mid-18th century, this Grade II listed mill ceased operation in the 1930s, with its 1893 extension providing an ancillary building to the main house. Inside this central residence, the sitting room is of particular note. Here, a beautiful bay window designed by Ernst Freud, the son of Sigmund and father of Lucien, overlooks the River Test, while some rather splendid craftsmanship ensures the curved bay windows provide panoramic views across the water meadow.
£2,700,000, myddeltonmajor.co.uk
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The home of legendary F1 driver Tony Brooks for over 35 years, this property gives you the chance to buy-up a piece of racing history. Set within the Grade II listed Ottershaw Park Mansion, residents enjoy access to tennis courts, a games room, landscaped gardens, terrace, parkland, and an indoor swimming pool named after the famous former resident.
£1,100,000, search.savills.com
Tucked into the rolling Kent countryside, with sweeping views across the North Downs, the gardens of this Edwardian cottage were designed by renowned landscapist Gertrude Jekyll in 1911. Though there was little sign of her influence when the owners moved in 40 years later, they consulted Jekyll experts in the UK and University of California to bring it back to its former glory. Today, the grounds of this Grade II listed home boast vibrant flower beds, a kitchen garden, an orchard, garden room, woodland, stable and tennis court.
£2,500,000, hamptons.co.uk
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Who didn’t dream of owning their very own castle as a child? And now this 15th-century tower house gives you the chance to live out those Traitors fantasies. Once a stronghold of the McCulloch family, the A-Listed castle is reputed to have sheltered the reformer John Knox in 1566. Having fallen into disrepair in the 18th century, the castle was the subject of an extensive and meticulous restoration in the early 2000s, aided by a grant from Historic Scotland.
£695,000, search.savills.com
This Grade II listed country house sits on the boundary between Rutland and Leicestershire – within 16-acre grounds, centred around a picturesque lake. Constructed in honey-coloured dressed limestone, the architecture of the central residence is inspired by French châteaux. Beyond: a hayloft with a gym and hang-out area, and an office.
£6,250,000, finest.co.uk
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Frothing with wisteria, this late 17th centurym Grade II* listed country house is set in 2.14 acres of meticulously maintained formal gardens: Included: an indoor pool, study and billiard room.
£3,250,000, search.savills.com
Landford Manor, Landford, Wiltshire
The death-bed of Nelson’s sister-in-law, Countess Frances Elizabeth Nelson, this Grade II* listed manor house is rich in history. More recently, the owner undertook a major refurbishment of the cellar: installing an automatic glass door in the floor, creating an open bar area with a Vodka chiller, restoring the barrel-vaulted wine cellar, and creating a media area with mood lighting. Part of a wider ‘hamlet’ of nine private properties, the Manor House itself has been divided into three properties, of which Landford Manor forms the principal part. Beyond the 1.4 acres of landscaped gardens, sits a further 3.5 acres of communal grounds with a tennis court.
£2,100,000, myddeltonmajor.co.uk
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Originally built in 1873 as a private country residence, this four-bedroom property was designed by the prominent Victorian architect Richard Norman Shaw – known for his role in the Arts and Crafts and Queen Anne revival styles. Occupying a substantial wing of an elegant country house, this home offers over 4,500 sqft of beautifully proportioned accommodation, whilst the rear garden enjoys a large terrace with a fish pond and views over the countryside.
£1,250,000, knightfrank.co.uk
The perfect spot for fans of Clarkson’s Farm, this Georgian-style country house is set within 11 acres of garden, land and woodland that overlook and adjoin Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm. Beyond the nine-bedroom main house, the property boasts multiple terraces, a two-bedroom cottage and outdoor swimming pool.
£9,000,000, search.savills.com
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A Grade II listed country house with a coach house, bothy and approximately five acres, this 18th century property was formerly the vicarage to St Peter’s Church – a historic building with origins in the 12th century. Once part of the estates of the Abbots of Tewkesbury before being sold by the Church in 1932, this country home is constructed of traditional Cotswold stone beneath a principally stone-tiled roof.
£4,250,000, knightfrank.co.uk
Want to get fit? It would be hard not to in this nine-bedroom country house with its heated swimming pool, all-weather tennis court, golf simulator and gym. And after a long hard workout, kick back and relax in the home cinema or tea house. Dating back to the 16th century (or earlier) this wisteria-clad Grade II listed property is set within 4.15 acres of grounds, spanning formal gardens, a wildflower meadow, kitchen garden, rare specimen trees, a historic timber framed Kentish barn, and panoramic views across The Weald to the North Downs.
£4,000,000, johndwood.co.uk
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One of the rarest surviving houses of the Arts and Crafts Movement, this country home was designed by the celebrated architect, designer and ceramicist Alfred Powell. Available for only the third time since it was built in 1899, the Grade II listed home also showcases the work of Ernest Gimson, who was described by architectural historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner as ‘the greatest of the English architect-designers’.
£3,500,000, bluebookagency.com
Situated in a delightful valley surrounded by woodland, this Grade II listed home dates back to the 17th Century with later additions made in the 19th and 20th centuries. Complemented by a large barn and separate artist studio, this property enjoys views across the surrounding valley.
£2,750,000, knightfrank.co.uk
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From a Regency-era Westminster businessman and a naval officer who fought in the Opium Wars, to an Irish MP, a celebrated journalist and a WWII hero, many impressive names have called this historic property home. Dating back to 1805, this country home has been more recently renovated to restore it to its former glory.
£4,850,000, search.savills.com
Set directly opposite the New Forest, this home centres around a converted water tower which was transformed by its current owners, alongside award-winning architects PAD Studio. The finished project later featured on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces in 2018 (Season 7, Episode 3). Originally constructed to supply water to Fritham House, Lister Tower formed part of the wider estate’s infrastructure. Fritham House (now a nursing home) was owned by Timothy Eden – brother of former Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden.
£1,750,000, struttandparker.com
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The home of distinguished South African journalist and authorised Nelson Mandela biographer, Anthony Sampson, this property is named Drum House in honour of his work on the newspaper, the South African Drum. Sitting within the Vale of Wardour, in the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs National Landscape, the gardens combine mature planting with a kitchen garden, Victorian-style glasshouse, orchard and wildflower meadow. Extending to more than 7,500 sqft, the property comprises a six-bedroom principal house, a self-contained cottage and a former Guildhall.
£3,000,000, bluebookagency.com
Extending to over 11,000 sqft in total, this Grade II listed property brings together a substantial seven-bedroom main house, a characterful three-bedroom cottage, extensive outbuildings and around four acres of gardens and grounds.
£1,950,000, morganaps.co.uk
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