Stories from 'A Country Agent'

A country house that was too small for entertaining guests, so they moved another one 100's of miles to rebuild it as an extension! When two halls become one! Dutton Homestall, nr East Grinstead, Sussex “ There has been a dwelling on site since the 14th century when John of Gaunt son of Edward III is understood to have used it as his hunting lodge. By 1830, there was a simple farmhouse on the site with no garden. By 1903 the house was derelict.     In 1907 Lord Dewar bought and restored The Homestall, added a substantial service wing, re-modelled the gardens and bought in two farms to the north to create a grand estate.  After his death in 1930 it was inherited by his nephew who used it as his country base while living at Claridges during the week. He married in 1932 and soon after his wife declared the house was “not big enough” for the lavish entertaining that she had in mind. He bought Dutton Hall, a large Tudor manor house in Cheshire dating from the 1580’s, had it dismantled a

“A truly gothic mansion which provides opportunity for confession if you were   suddenly overwhelmed by the need!” The current grade I listed Bishops Court was most recently remodelled in the mid-19th century by the noted gothic-revival architect William White, who also remodelled Dartington Hall at about the same time.  The house enjoys a long-documented history dating back to its acquisition in 1250 by the Bishops of Exeter, for whom it was a country palace for several centuries. the impressive interiors of the house include stunning and intricate use of contrasting stonework, original paint finishes, fireplaces and flooring. The chapel with much of its original fittings is a spectacular space and the reception rooms are airy with high ceilings and generous proportions. To continue to the online listing, click here

“An elegant Country House with significant history. With Grade I listed ensuring that it will be preserved for future generations by the new owners.”   On the market at the time of writing with Savills for £11m. Trafalgar Park is an exceptional property, with a fascinating history and a unique architectural provenance. The present house is primarily the work of two architects with the central villa completed in 1733, for Sir Peter Vanderput, under the guidance of John James of Greenwich.  The North and South wings were added in 1766 during the ownership of Henry Dawkins and were designed by John Wood the Younger, best known for the Royal Crescent in Bath. Dawkins commissioned his friend Nicholas Revett, to design the Portico, interiors for the North Wing and a number of chimney pieces. Revett is considered by many to have influenced some of the finest Greek Revivalist interiors in England.  Dawkins also commissioned the fashionable Italian painter G B Cipriani to paint the scenes in hi

  Mixing the right amount of luxury and comfort with a Shakespearean inspired garden, this property makes lockdown living a walk in the park. It’s tough to know where to start with The Old Rectory, near Beeston in north Norfolk, which is  previously on sale via Bedfords for £1.1 million. Is it the charming moat that surrounds three-quarters of the property? The romantic Willow tree that frames the water? Perhaps it’s the wooden Monet-style bridge that crosses said moat? Or could it be the Grade II-listed Georgian house itself, with its six bedrooms and light-filled, eccentric reception rooms? Featuring a characterful master bedroom complete with a dressing room and ensuite and set in 1.23 acres of secluded, utopian English countryside, The Old Rectory blends comfortable, luxurious living into its outdoor surroundings. It’s difficult with a property as complete as this one, which also boasts a detached one-bedroom cottage (perfect for visitors or staycationers alike) and a separate offi

You’ve probably heard about the huge number of buyers looking to move to coastal towns and countryside villages over the past year or so, suggests the team at Rightmove on their “Property Blog”. But as lockdown restrictions continue to ease, we’ve noticed a lot more people are looking for homes in Britain’s most popular spa towns, too. It’s no surprise that spa towns, packed with historic charm and sought-after period homes, are attracting a lot of interest. They really can offer home-hunters the best of both worlds: they’re typically small enough to be walkable, but large enough to have everything you need on the doorstep. Here are some of the most popular spa towns for buyers right now: Leamington Spa, Warwickshire Average asking price (April 2021) in Leamington Spa: £338,025 Appletree cottage: a five-bedroom detached house Southam Road, Radford Semele, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire £650,000 Fine & Country, Leamington Spa Go to property 1 The Parade in Leamington Spa is the beatin