Stories from 'A Country Agent'

  The most searched-for countryside market towns on Rightmove... Market towns are in the spotlight as buyers look for homes close to the countryside with good schools, a thriving community and high streets that are the heart of the town. As lockdown restrictions start to ease further, we’re seeing more home-hunters on Rightmove search for small, rural market towns that are bigger than a village, but offer a quieter life than busy city centres. The appeal of a bustling high street, with not just a great pub and a handy corner store, but a string of independent shops and cafés, and a much-loved restaurant serving good, local produce is hard to ignore. Throw in an artisan bakery, a good fishmonger and a weekend farmer’s market, and you might just have almost everything you need within a stone’s throw of home. So we have taken a look to find out which countryside market towns are at the top of home-hunters’ wish-lists right now. Most searched-for countryside market towns Top spot: Totnes,

  “Suitable for Lairds, Ladies & Disney Princesses; most people dream of having their own castle but it might be more affordable than you’d think!”   According to Wikipedia:   A  castle  is a type of  fortified  structure built during the  Middle Ages  predominantly by the  nobility  or royalty and by  military orders . Scholars debate the scope of the word  castle , but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble. This is distinct from a  palace , which is not fortified; from a fortress, which was not always a residence for royalty or nobility; and from a fortified settlement, which was a public defence – though there are many similarities among these types of construction. Usage of the term has varied over time and has been applied to structures as diverse as  hill forts  and country houses. Over the approximately 900 years that castles were built, they took on a great many forms with many different features, although some, such as  curtain walls

What makes the best playground? What makes the ideal sporting estate, asks Anna Tyzack (The Field) Situation?  Range of sport available?  Luxury accommodation?  Leading sporting land agents offer their opinions... Is the perfect sporting estate a short drive from London, entirely remote in Scotland or overseas? Does it have a range of sport and luxury accomodation? The Field’s Anna Tyzack speaks to leading sporting land agents on what makes the perfect playground. From the best shooting estates to creating the perfect sporting interior and the latest properties on the market,  The Field’s Property section  offers advice, guidance and plenty of inspiration... continue reading   Knock House on Mull, a near-perfect Scottish estate. Many estates in the Highlands offer red deer stalking. For the chance of a salmon, head to an estate on the Spey.   Continue to the rest of this excellent article - The Field

  Buyers on the hunt for history and drama need look no further than this selection of the finest castles on the market across the world. In the Sherlock Holmes novel  The Valley of Fear , John Douglas finds himself fleeing some of the most dangerous men in America. On arrival in England, his first move is to invest in a fortified property, complete with a moat and a drawbridge, from which to defend himself.  Back in the real world, the factors of privacy and security are still an important part of a castle’s appeal, but buyers also yearn for the romance of owning a home that has survived — or, indeed, played a role in—hundreds or even thousands of years of history... continue reading Source: Country  Life Magazine

Lilford Hall Estate, Oundle “What a fabulous opportunity to be the owner of this important estate.    With a 32,406sq.ft Jacobean House surrounded by around 312 acres of park and woodland there would be plenty to keep you entertained!”   Brochure: The epitome of historic architecture in a parkland setting Lilford Hall Estate is an exceptional residential and amenity Estate, located on the River Nene in the eastern part of the County of Northamptonshire. At the heart of the private Estate sits an impressive Jacobean House measuring 32,406 sq. ft. GIA comprising; Grand entrance hall, 3 reception rooms, 2 dining rooms, a theatre room, a ballroom and 9 bedrooms. The Grade 1 Listed House has a prolific history, first starting as a Tudor mansion in 1495 and later developed in 1635 into the Jacobean exterior that can be seen today, though the Hall has been altered throughout the periods. At the rear of the Hall are two impressive Georgian pavilions, previously used as the Coach House and the

Castle House, Buckingham “We never really own a property, we buy the right to be the caretakers of a property for future generations and it  is a huge responsibility to be the owner of a Grade 1 listed property.   Castle House is a beautiful, historic home. I particularly like the master bedroom which is steeped in character.” Castle House is a large Grade I listed town house positioned on West Street in the centre of the historic county town of Buckingham, says the brochure from agent Knight Frank.  Whilst the main range of the house, which dates from around 1708, is built of red brick with limestone dressings, the much older east and west wings are of coursed limestone rubble to the ground floor with rendered timber framed construction to the first floor.  The east range survives largely complete and evidently consisted of a large ground floor rooms, over a stone cellar with 2 chambers to the first floor, one being much larger than the other and with an open timber roof.

“I rather like this property, it offers so much and retains so many wonderful features. The dining room is magnificent but I’m not sure I know that many people I like to invite over for dinner!” A Grade II* listed Elizabethan manor house set in 10 acres of formal gardens, woodland and orchards within a further 65 plus acres of parkland. Dating back to the early 12th century, the main house of Markyate Cell offers in the region 12,000 Sq ft. Unquestionably one of the finest and most lavish abodes in the county, the staggering property has been meticulously enhanced by the current owners who have embraced the elegant and nuanced décor of a traditional home.  Through the picturesque and meandering tree lined driveway you approach the property in all its magnificent grandeur. Notably, the three rounded lead covered turrets, crenelated gable end brick work and ornate moulded stonework. Sitting prominently in an elevated central location within the grounds the resplendent home offers a range

Well, in the village of Little Bardfield in Essex it would be here; what is now called The Old Rectory... https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/58469710/ Features and description 7 bedrooms 7 reception rooms 6 bathrooms 8.18 acres Outbuildings Period Detached Garden Gym Parking Roof Terrace Rural Swimming Pool Tennis Court Triple Garage Village Cellar Lake View Woodland Paddock The Old Rectory is a wonderful family house in Little Bardfield. This historic Grade II listed 7 bedroom property is set amidst beautiful mature grounds, extending to around 8.18 acres in total, including a recently renovated, 2 bedroom cottage.  The house dates from the late 18th century to early 19th century and is constructed of red brick under a hipped red tiled roof.  Welcomed by an impressive reception hall, the house has a range of character features including wood floors, sash windows and shutters, ornate cornicing and open fireplaces. On with Knight Frank Country Department for £3,500,000.  To follo