Narbourgh Hall, Norfolk
Inigo Homes, £4.5m
How does a 16th-century hall surrounded by ancient parkland sound? This grand Norfolk property is that rare thing: a very old and very large house that is also a turn-key prospect, thanks to its latest owners who have sensitively restored while also stripping back. The result is something that would be worthy of both the pages of World of Interiors and, indeed, any Austen heroine. Standing in the valley of the River Nar, all is romance, with elegant doors, beautiful proportions and sweeping staircases. There is, though, also a swimming pool for touch of 21st-century luxury. A fairytale in tip-top condition – which is fitting for the price tag. Get the details.
Lower Rockes, Butleigh, Somerset
Inigo Homes, £1.25m
Commissioned in 1671 by the squire of Butleigh Court, the charmingly wonky Lower Rockes has played host to many colourful characters over the centuries. Among them was Robert Neville-Grenville, a 19th-century Cheddar cheese producer who even set up a cheesemaking school on-site (a kitchen hatch is a quirky reminder of when he’d winch wheels of cheese up for storage). The village itself, meanwhile, has deep roots, having once been occupied by the Celtic Dobunni tribe before the Romans settled there. Interiors lovers will also find plenty to adore, from flagstone floors to grand open fireplaces. Get the details.
Tawstock Castle, Barnstaple, Devon
Knight Frank, £1.5m
A glance at this Bailey Castle might suggest medieval origins, yet Tawstock Castle was actually built in the 18th-century during the height of folly mania. Its ‘castle’ moniker likely stems from a sympathetic 1980s extension using local stone. Regardless, a tower connotes nothing if not fairytale romance, and this one comes with 8.41 acres of private, fenced grounds and 360-degree views of the rolling North Devon countryside. If you love it for its potential Jilly Cooper-style society party decadence, note that it even comes with its own helipad. Close your eyes and you can almost see Rupert Campbell Black stalking its vast rooms for his next conquest. Get the details.
Barnham Court, West Sussex
Inigo Homes, £3.75m
Barnham Court is a magnificent Grade I-listed merchant’s house, built in 1631 in the early English baroque artisan mannerist style. Set within nearly seven acres of exquisite gardens in West Sussex, it feels very private and yet is well-connected, with Arundel and Chichester within spitting distance. The house spans over 8,000 sq ft, featuring five luxurious bedroom suites and grand living spaces, meticulously restored to preserve its historic charm. Its striking red brick façade, adorned with Dutch gables and classical pilasters, was described by Pevsner as ‘more effective than many palaces.’ None too shabby. The beautifully landscaped grounds include yew topiary, wildflower meadows, and an elegant sweeping driveway. A separate guest cottage and an outdoor heated swimming pool meanwhile only add to its considerable charms. Impeccably restored with the finest craftsmanship, Barnham Court marries period grandeur with modern comfort. An extraordinary country retreat. Get the details.
Quentin Blake’s Medieval Former Home, Hastings, East Sussex
Unique Property Company, £895,000
Hastings has been attracting artists for years, drawn to its light, its sensibility and its creative community (the Hasting Contemporary, formerly The Jerwood, sits right on the beach). The great Quentin Blake was amongst the very first, buying this spectacular medieval house, all wonky proportions and rugged timber beams, in 1972. From within its rustic walls, he painted prolifically, both town and house providing, one imagines, fodder for inspiration aplenty. The remarkable Grade II Listed Wealden Hall House (c.1450) is intensely characterful, combining a happy hodgepodge of eras (it was modernised in the 1600s and again in the 1920s). Its current owners – both creatives — undertook a thoughtful renovation to ensure its longevity while, thank goodness, scrupulously preserving period details. Five bedrooms, flexible living spaces, and a picture-book garden with sunlit terraces create an enchanting retreat. Crucially, expert restoration has been taken to tackle damp, electrics, and roofing, meaning that this home is set to stand for centuries more – just poised for its next chapter. Get the details.
