GUERNSEY Why everyone loves a Georgian house 202217,AUGUST EVERY WEEK AUGUST 17, 2022 What is the future for farming? How Tarka the Otter changed Nature writing Bringing home the Colman’s mustard £4.5033ISSUE: UKTHEINPRINTED CLI369.cover.indd 1 11/08/2022 12:15
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Bram ha m, Weth erby Bramha m: 1. 5 miles , Le ed s: 11 miles 17th Centu ry co untry es tate witha su pe rb prop er ty po rt fo lio, situ ated in the bea utif ul Yo rk shire co untr ysid e. 5 re ce ptio n ro om s, 5 be droom s(5 en suite), study, ga rd en ro om , fa mily ro om ,1 be droo m flat,stab le s, all-we ath er eq ues tria n aren a, 4 be droo m cottag e, 3 be droo m cottag e, 3 be droomflat, bar n, outb uildings, ga rd ens an d paddo ck s. Free ho ld | Council Tax Ba nd =H| EP C= F About 18 .7 1 acre s| Gu id e£4 .5 million savills savills .co.uk Fabulous CountryHouse Ed wa rdSt oy le Savill s Yo rk 01 90 4 21 1 365 ed ward .s toy le @s av ills .c om
King swea r, Devon Totn es St ation: 12 miles (London Pa dd in gton from 16 0 minute s), Exeter : 31 miles Awardwinn in g ho me situ ated in an outs ta ndin g settin g atthe mouthofthe Da rt Es tu ar y. 2 re ce ptio n ro om s, kitchen/ break fast ro om , prin cipa l en suite be droo m, 2 fu rthe r be droo ms , fa mily bath ro om , wa lk-in pantr y, utility ro om , in doo r Ro man st yl e swim ming po ol , bo ath ou se , slipway, jett y, runn in g moo ring Me dite rranean st yl e ga rd ens an d te rracin g. Free ho ld | Council Tax Ba nd =G| EP C= D 4,032 sq ft | Off ers in exce ss of £5 milli on savills savills .co.uk Unrivalled WatersideSetting Sa ra h-Jane Bi ng ha m- Ch ick Savill s Exeter 01 548 43 4 018 sj chic k@ savill s. com Ge or ge Na res Savill s Coun tr y Ho us e De par tm ent 02 0 4579 8928 george .n ar es @s av ill s. com
Over45officesacross Eng land and Scotland,includingprimeCentral London. Leic esters hire, Ratc liffe-on-the-Wreake Gu ide Pr ic e £2 ,0 00,0 00 An idyllic Grade II Listed watermill in asublime position Leicester:8miles(London St PancrasInternationalfrom 63 mins),MeltonMowbray:8.5miles,Oakham:18.5miles Receptionhall|Sitting room|Dining room|Drawing room| Family room|Kitchen/breakfast room|2 Studies Principalbedroomwithensuitebathroom|4 Furtherbedrooms (onewithensuite) | Bathroom|Doublegarage Playroom|Outbuildings|2 Stables|Summerhouse| Garden| Paddocks|EPCRatingF About6.19acres Ad amBrewster Market HarboroughOffice 01 858 897102 adam.brewster@struttandparker.com Edward Brassey Market HarboroughOffice 01 858 897102 edward.brassey@struttandparker.com
/struttandparker@ st ru ttandparker stru ttandparker.com Sh rops hire, Bu rlton Gu ide Pr ic e £2 ,20 0,000 An outstanding and important historic countr y house that has been exquisitely and sensit ively restoredset within established park land st yle grounds Ellesmere:7miles,Shrewsbury:10miles,Oswestry:14miles,Malpas:18miles,Chester: 35 miles,Manchester: 75 miles Receptionhall|Drawing room|Dining room|Kitchen/breakfast room|Morning room|Sitting room| Parlour|Library Study|9Bedrooms (4 ensuite) |3 Bathrooms|Outbuildings| Gardensandgrounds|GradeIIListed|EPCRatingF About2.87acres JamesSibley ShrewsburyOffice 01 743816967 james.sibley@st ruttandparker.com AlistairSummerfield ShrewsburyOffi ce 01 743816967 alistair.summerfield@struttandparker.com
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Bu res, Suffolk Col ch es te r St ation: 7 miles (London Live rp oo l Stre et St atio n from 50 mi nute s) Listed co untry house providing exce ption al ente rtaining sp ace in cl udin ga par ty bar n an d de lig ht ful En glish ga rd ens. 4 re ce ptio n ro om s, 7 be droom s, 3 bath ro om s, 2 dressing ro om s, hom e offi ce/s tu dio, playroo m, cellar, ha rd su rf aced te nn is co ur t, he ated outd oor swim ming po ol , co nve rted bar n, 5 bay ca rt lod ge paddo ck an d wo oden area Free ho ld | Council Tax Ba nd = H About 5. 5 acre s| Gu id e £2 .5 million savills savills .co.uk Regency CountryHouse To m Orf ord Savill s Ip swich 07 96 7 5555 27 to rf or d@ savil ls .c om
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Allthesepropertiesappearedexclusivelywithus, 24hoursormorebeforeRightmoveorZoopla. Createalert Toviewtheseandthe finestselectionof premiumproperties, searchOnTheMarket atCountryLife.co.uk andsetupaproperty alerttoday. Createanalert Potterne, Wiltshire A Grade II listed country house that has been sympathetically and comprehensively refurbished to create a wonderful family home Contact: Devizes office 01380 584955 £1,950,000 Guide price Wadhurst, East Sussex A substantial six/seven bed period house with magnificent southerly views over its grounds and gardens of approximately 2 46 acres Contact: Tunbridge Wells 01892 310735 £2,000,000 £2,200,000 Guide price Kineton, Warwickshire Contact: 01926 267783 £265,000 Guide price A characterful Grade II listed, two bedroom cottage in the heart of the village, with courtyard garden to the rear Beckington, Somerset A beautifully appointed country house, set in about 7 5 acres of grounds at the end of a tree lined driveway in a country estate Contact: Frome office 01373 316941 £2,300,000 Fossebridge, Gloucestershire A stunning, detached stone built cottage nestled in the centre of a well regarded village, offering flexible accommodation Contact: Moreton in Marsh 01608 503959 £700,000 Guide price Blagdon, Somerset A five bedroom farmhouse built over 100 years ago with views over Blagdon Lake, set in approx 2 54 acres with several outbuildings Contact: Devon office 01769 307971 £1,000,000 Offers in excess of Tiddington, Oxfordshire Draycott Cottage is a thatched, Grade II listed, four bedroom property with an array of period features and 0 72 acres of gardens Contact: Oxford office 01865 680653 £1,450,000 Guide price Damerham, Hampshire A stunning 19th century home, within an ancient village, which has been sympathetically converted keeping its original features Contact: Ringwood office 01425 292816 £1,000,000 Guide price
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NearBournemouth,Dorset Fa rmhouseestate withtwoseparatedwellingsandfullplanning fo rtwomore Avon,Christc hurch,Dorset.Bournemouth10minutes,Christc hurch8minutes 16th Century Fa rmhouse: 5bedrooms|3bathrooms|Dining|Kitchen| Conservatory| Study|Inglenookfireplacelounge Bordered to the west by River Avon DairyHouse: 3bedrooms|Bathroom|Inglenook Lo unge|Kitchen| Attached to themain Farmhouse West Range: Fullplanning for3bedroomhouse ove rlookinglake EastRange: Fullplanning fo r3bedroomhousein co urtyard GradeIIlisted,4 Ac re sin to tal,property couldbesplit. Guideprice£2,850,000 PrivateSale:please contactSallie Lo ngman at sallielongman@btinternet.com orcall: +4478 01 2476 84|+4478 01 247677
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Guernsey Flying high: birdwatching in Guernsey PAGE 36 PARADISE FOUND The house and gardens at Sausmarez Manor SUMMER 2022 Away with the fairies: folklore traditions PAGE 28 Seven propertiesmagnificentforsalePAGE 38 LtdImagesBirkby/AWLRobert CLI369.guernsey_cover.indd 25 11/08/2022 15:11
On eof Gu er nsey ’s fo re most hom es an d per ha ps the fin est co untry es tate in the Cha nn el Isla nds. Ce ntrally lo cate d to enjoy allthe isla nd has to offer,with co nve nie nt acce ss to boththe We st co as t be ache s an d Gu er nsey ’s vibrant town ce ntre. Inte rio r de sign ed prin cipa l house ,3 fa mily gues t cott ag es an d2 fu rthe r staff prop er ties , te nn is co ur t, sq uash co ur t, swim ming po ol , he alth suite an d beautif ully la ndsc ap ed ga rd en Free ho ld | TR P= 6022
About 35 acre s| Gu id e £2 5 milli on
GuernseyMasterpiece Castel, Gu ernsey Gu ernsey Airp or t: 3 miles ,St Pete r Po rt:3 miles
savills savills .gg Li nd say Cu th ill Savill s Lo nd on Cou nt ry De pa rt me nt 02 0 4579 61 08 lc ut hi ll @s av il ls .c om Ri ch ar d Fox Savill s Gu er ns ey 01 48 1 71 3 463 ri ch ar d. fox@ savill s. com Ni ck Pa luch Savill s Gu er ns ey 01 48 1 71 3 463 ni ck .p alu ch @s av ill s. com
StylishCliff EdgeHome St Peter Port , Gu ernsey St Pete r Po rt: 1. 5 miles Be autif ully finishe d Ar ts & Craf ts st yl e mansion , sittin gwithin blu ebe ll ca rp eted pine wo ods ab ove Fe rmain Bay an d enjoying pano ra mic se a views. 3 re ce ptio n ro om s, 5 en suite be droo ms , study, sn ooker ro om , hom e cine ma , cellarag e, cl oister s, trip le ga ra ge with apar tm ent ab ove an d attractive ga rd ens. Free ho ld | TR P= 13 46 About 2 ac re s| Gu id e £1 0. 65 milli on
savills savills .gg Ri ch ar d Fox Savill s Gu er ns ey 01 48 1 71 3 463 ri ch ar d. fox@ savill s. com Ni ck Pa luch Savill s Gu er ns ey 01 48 1 71 3 463 ni ck .p alu ch @s av il ls .c om
St Peter Port , Gu ernsey On eof Gu er nsey ’s fo re most town house swith views over St Pete r Po rt an d out to se a. 6 re ce ptio n ro om s, 3 kitche ns , break fast ro om ,6 be droom s(5 en suite),1 fu rthe r bath ro om ,3 cl oak ro om s, dres sing ro om , study, utility ro om , do uble ga ra ge , fu rther par king , ga rd en stores , man icure d ga rd ens an d co ur tyard. Free ho ld | TR P= 947 Gu id e £7.9 5 million savills savills .gg OutstandingGeorgian Residence Ri ch ar d Fox Savill s Gu er ns ey 01 48 1 71 3 463 ri ch ar d. fox@ savill s. com Ni ck Pa luch Savill s Gu er ns ey 01 48 1 71 3 463 ni ck .p alu ch @s av ills .c om
Castel, Gu ernsey St Pete r Po rt : 3. 6 miles A ra re oppor tu nity to acquire on eof Gu er nsey ’s most bea utif ul historic prop er ties dating back to th e 150 0s , situ ated in picturesque va ll ey su rroundings with matu re wo odla ndand wa ll ed ga rd ens. 5 re ce ptio n ro om s,1 0 be droom s, 7 bath ro om s, bar n, fronte d co ur tyard,ca r po rt an d agricultu ra l la nd Free ho ld | TR P= 1873 About 14 .4 acre s| Gu id e£4 .2 5 milli on savills savills .gg VictorianManorEstate Ri ch ar d Fox Savill s Gu er ns ey 01 48 1 71 3 463 ri ch ar d. fox@ savill s. com Ni ck Pa luch Savill s Gu er ns ey 01 48 1 71 3 463 ni ck .p alu ch @s av ills .c om
Castel, Gu ernsey St Pete r Po rt : 2.7 miles A striking do uble bay fronte d manorho use in an el evated an d ce ntral lo cation with ex te nsive ground s an da deta ch ed cottag e ann exe. 6 re ce ptio n ro om s, 2 kitche ns ,6 be droo ms (3 en suite), 2 fu rthe r bath ro om s, 2 cl oak ro om s, sn ug , la undr y ro om ,triple ga ra ge , stab leblo ck , matu re ground s an d paddo ck Free ho ld | TR P= 11 69 About 6 acre s| Gu id e£4 .45 milli on savills savills .gg Characterful CountryHome Ri ch ar d Fox Savill s Gu er ns ey 01 48 1 71 3 463 ri ch ar d. fox@ savill s. com Ni ck Pa luch Savill s Gu er ns ey 01 48 1 71 3 463 ni ck .p alu ch @s av ills .c om
St Peter Port , Gu ernsey Re genc y arch itec tu re co mbinin g im ma culate st yl ewith contem po ra ry finishe s, lo cate d ina pe acef ul re sidential area .3 re ce ptio n ro om s, 6 be droo ms (3 en suite), break fa st ro om , media ro om , hom e offi ce/libra ry, utility ro om , ga rd en pavilion , ga ra ge an d wa ll ed ga rd en Free ho ld | TR P= 614 Gu id e £5 .45 million savills savills .gg SuperbGeorgian Townhouse Ri ch ar d Fox Savill s Gu er ns ey 01 48 1 71 3 463 ri ch ar d. fox@ savill s. com Ni ck Pa luch Savill s Gu er ns ey 01 48 1 71 3 463 ni ck .p alu ch @s av ills .c om
Lawnmower races Sark may have no cars, but it doesn’t miss out on racing, with lawnmowers doing battle to win a hill climb and a race on August 26 and 27 (07781 426115) Cobo balcony gigs Music bands play on the balcony of the Cobo Bay Hotel on select dates. The last event, on August 28, will feature a tribute to Queen (www.visitguernsey.com) Autumn walking festival
Guernsey’s Beau Sejour Leisure Centre will host sporting prowess during the 2023 Island Games Can you help bring Bob the pigeonhominghome? Mr
Transatlantic flight PERHAPs it was the Atlantic winds or the promise of shelter aboard a boat, but a westward turn must have seemed like a good idea to Bob, a homing pigeon flying from Guernsey to Gateshead in Tyneside. Unfortunately, it took the bird on a 4,000-mile detour that eventually saw him alight at a home in Monroeville in Alabama, US. But all’s well that ends well: Bob was taken to the Monroe County Animal Shelter, where staff made contact with his owner, Tyneside resident Alan Todd. ‘I think he landed on a boat in the Channel in a thunderstorm,’ explains Mr Todd. ‘I’m flying out to get him.’ Mr Todd has launched a fundraiser to help bring Bob home and support the shelter that housed bob-home-from-alabama).(www.gofundme.com/f/get-a-him
The Prince of Wales has granted a Royal Warrant to the Guernsey Clematis Nursery. The business, which produces more than three million clematis a year, is the first Royal Warrant holder on the island Egg-ceptional weather In some of Guernsey’s highestever temperatures in late July, catering manager Stuart Andersonfried an egg on his car bonnet for the second time. The first egg was fried in 1994 Licence to sail From June 25 to July 2, Guernsey hosted the inauguralSpiritYachts Regatta.Thehandmade boats, featured in ‘James Bond’ films, competed in six races. Spirit 52 Flight of Ufford was crowned the winner The word is murder Alderney stars in Anthony Horowitz’s latest book, A Line to Kill, in which a murder takes place amid a literary festival attended,amongothers, by one Mr Horowitz
Puffin & Oyster This new pub in Le Grand Havre enjoys magnificent views of the coast (www.liberationgroup.com) La Vallette Bathing Pools Fresh facilities have rejuvenated these150-year-oldsea-swimming pools(www.thebathingpools.com)
26 | Country Life | August 17, 2022 Country Life International GuernseyDespres/VisitNick
I T may still be 11 months away, but excitement for the upcoming Guernsey 2023 NatWest International Island Games is already building on the island. The competition—which sees sportsmen as far afield as the Falklands, Greenland and new-entry Gozo battle it out in everything from athletics to badminton and judo—will be the first held since Covid hit in 2020 and representatives from participating islands visited Guernsey last month to tour the facilities. ‘Important friendships have been made,’ says Dame Mary Perkins, chair of the Guernsey 2023 organising committee, who explains that volunteer attachés gave visitors ‘a good Guernsey welcome and set the tone for 2023’.
The island’s biggest agricultural shows take place on August 17–18 and 24–25 (www.visitguernsey.com)respectively
Ready for action
Don’t miss West Show and Guernsey North Show/Battle of Flowers
OttoPLUS Recently opened, this restaurant brings traditional Italian food to St Peter Port (www.otto8.gg)
CLI369.guernsey_news.indd 26 10/08/2022 11:33
IthappenedintheBailiwick Royal seal of approval
‘We’re looking forward to hosting everyone for the return of competition next summer,’ adds Brian Allen, chairman of the Guernsey Island Games Association. ‘An Island Games is always special, but nothing beats a home one.’ The competition will take place from July 8–14, 2023. Visit www.iiga.org for more information.
Panoramic, historic and literary walks revealsthe island’s beautiful corners. September 17–October 2 (www.visitguernsey.com/)
Saving lives for 100 years
The Guernsey Fire and Rescue service celebrates its centenary this year, having been formally launched on July 1, 1922 (there hadbeenfirefightersontheisland since the 18th century). A series of events will mark the anniversary, including an open day at the town arsenal fire station and a gala dinner in June 2023
You’ve seen thepaint ings, nowexper ience theinspiration. With our warmer climate, breathtaking coastline, awardwinning beaches and idylliccountr yside, it ’s easy to seewhy Renoir chosetolivehere. Pierre -Augus te Renior,V iewatGuernsey.Image cour te sy Clark Ar tIns titu te.clarkar t.edu To star tyour journey, call theLocateGuernseyteamon +4 4( 0)14 81 220011,email enquiries @ locateguernsey.com, or visit locateguernsey.com Follow us.Search: LocateGuernsey Abetterlife foryou
THE devil once lived in Guernsey, or so story has it. It came in the early Middle Ages, but didn’t remain for long. A saint, perhaps St Sampson, journeyed to the island to drive it out. The battle between the two stretched across Guernsey, until the devil was eventually beaten by Fontenelle Bay. As it fled, however, it slammed one hoofed leg down before leaping away into the air. The stone that bears the devil’s hoof print may still be seen today, although the deep mark of a cloven hoof has earned it the rather more prosaic nickname of Le Pid du Boeuf (the ox’s foot). Guernsey Folk Lore by Victorian bailiff Sir Edgar MacCulloch) and, today, the Guernsey Museum at Candie has a dedicated Folklore Gallery (www.museums. gov.gg).Someof the traditions, explains Matt Harvey, curator of the Folklore Gallery, are very similar to English ones: Guernsey’s Lé Faëu Boulanger—mysterious nightlights dancing above the ground—can clearly be likened to the descriptions of Will-o’-the Wisp or Ghost Lights. Others, however, are specific to the island, from La Biche, ‘a giant, spectral nanny goat that was said to haunt a particular corner of La Rue des Grons in St Martins parish’ to Lé Haptalaön, a hobgoblin that lurked in the long grass of the oldest orchards. ‘It would creep up on unwary children, grab them by the ankle and drag them away.’
Once on this island
thecpleasantasMythsandlegendsareasintegraltoGuernseyitssunnyskies,sinuouscoastlineandmeadows—somuchsothat,overtheenturies,bookshavecollectedandpreservedtales(notleast
Many stories are linked to the island’s prehistoric sites—its dolmens and ancient stones supposedly concealing all manners of treasure at their feet. One, in particular, tells of a man who looked for treasure under a dolmen near Rocquaine Bay. Late into the night, after he’d dug many holes, he found what he sought— only for the coins to turn into shells, as a giant, black conger eel emerged from the burrow. Frightened, the man ran away and the dolmen’s treasure remained untouched. Nor is the conger eel the only guardian of the island’s dolmens. Ruthless spirits play their part, too. Once, a Guernsey man, a Mr Hocart of Belval, on the borders of L’Ancresse, was so keen to build himself a new house that, disregarding received wisdom, he broke up the Singing Rock—a dolmen so named because it made a ringing sound when struck—to shape it into doorposts and lintels. Soon afterwards, a mysterious fire burned his new home to the ground, killing two of his servants. But Mr Hocart’s misfortunes were far from over. Parts
CLI369.guernsey_folklore.indd 28 10/08/2022 11:34
28 | Country Life | August 17, 2022 Country Life International
From conger eels to witches with creaky joints, Carla Passino and Nicco Bargioni explore Guernsey’s rich folkloric heritage
Alamy CLI369.guernsey_folklore.indd 29 10/08/2022 11:35
The Guernsey Museum has re-created many ancient tales in its Folklore Gallery, but not every story is steeped in the past. Despite not having ever experienced a supernatural encounter himself, Mr Harvey— a self-confessed ‘open-minded sceptic’—has had reports of occurrences from ‘perfectly ordinary, down-to-earth’ people and urges everyone to share their own: ‘The worst thing would be to dismiss people’s experiences out of hand and not record them,’ he notes. ‘Because, when we are more enlightened in the future, we’ll have nothing to reinterpret and no history of these events to look back on, analyse and learn from.
The Table des Pions in south-west Guernsey. Walk around the circle three times, make a wish and, perhaps, the island’s resident fairies may grant it
August 17, 2022 | Country Life | 29 Supernatural
verygweredozensbywithstruckboardedlater,inmysteriouswhichandofthedolmenhadbeenmadeintopavingstonesloadedontotwoshipsforEngland,inhehadinvested—butbothsunkundercircumstances.HisnewhomeAlderneywasalsolostinablazeand,hehimselfwaskilledwhen,havingashiptoreturntoGuernsey,hewasbytheriggingduringthejourney.Dolmensmayhavethestrongestconnectionthesupernatural,but,in1921,researchLt-ColThomasDeGuerinshowedthatofdifferentplacesacrosstheislandthoughttobehometospiritguardians,hosts,spectraldogs(leTchico)andGuernsey’sownfairies,the
An especially zealous Victorian church warden, worried about the souls of the local people, tried to break it into pieces, but he faced such a backlash that he had to put it back together (although La Gràn’ Mère still bears a ‘scar’ across the middle). Not all superstition was benign—Guernsey, like elsewhere, had its spate of witchcraft trials in the 16th and the 17th centuries, with the last sorceress, Margueritte Preud’homme, banished from the island in July 1649.
I encourage people to share their supernatural experiences, in confidence, to become part of the historical record.’
pouques. One such place was the Table des Pions, a stone circle at the south-west corner of the island: pions (footmen) congregated there for picnics during the day, but elves and fairies would dance around it at night. Legend has it that, if a human were to walk around the ring three times, then make a wish, the fairies would grant it. Another gathering place for pouques was a stream called le Douit d’Israel, near the church of St Pierre du Bois. A local family, the De Garis, lived nearby and was on such good terms with the fairies that, at night, they would call out to the man of the house, asking him to lend them his cart and horses so that they may fetch rocks and pebbles, promising to repair any damage they might cause. Harness jingling and wheels turning, the cart would then vanish, to be returned the following morning with all damage fixed—in silver. A rich collection of tales often goes hand in hand with superstition and Guernsey is no exception. In the past, local families would keep their bees apprised of any important news, going as far as tying a black ribbon to the hives in case of death, and fishermen would always go ‘on their boats’ rather than ‘fishing’, in case any pesky sea creature overheard them and decided to deny them their catch. They’d also take their hats off to the Le Petit Bon-Homme Andriou, a vaguely man-shaped rock off Jerbourg Point, to secure good luck at sea. On land, it was La Gràn’ Mère du Chimquière—an ancient sculpture outside the St. Martin churchyard—that brought good luck if dutifully homaged with food, coins or flowers.
However, in a light-hearted take on local sorcery, a story written by the Guernsey Museum has an old woman complain about her reputation as a broomstick-riding witch —when her creaky joints barely allow her to walk to the door in the morning.
The worst thing would be to dismiss everyone’s experience out of hand
un
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Alamy who had carved the marble monument to Philip in Westminster Abbey, was commis sioned to make a unicorn and greyhound for the Sausmarez Manor gate piers. Heralding the main entrance on the St Martin’s to St Peter Port road, these splendid armorial beasts trumpet the family’s reconnection with its Guernsey roots. For the previous two centuries, however, the property had belonged to the Andros family, John Andros having inherited from his mother, Judith de Sausmarez, in 1557.
A joy to behold
SCION of diplomats, admirals, generals, politicians, colonial governors and adventurers, sportsman and inventor Peter de Sausmarez is the latest in his illustrious line to leave a mark on Guernsey’s most ancient manorial seat, Sausmarez Manor. The de Sausmarezs first came here as Seigneurs of the Fief de Sausmarez in the 13th century, but their connection with the place might have died out had Philip de Sausmarez (1710–47) not been serving on HMS Centurion when it seized the Nuestra Sēnora de Covadonga off the Philippines in 1743. Philip, who played a lead ing role in the capture, was put in command of the highly prized Spanish galleon and sailed it to Canton, where it was sold. The cargo—36 cartloads of gold, silver and other treasures plundered in Acapulco—was divided up among the key participants and so great was its value that the de Sausmarez fortunes were transformed. When Philip was killed at the second Battle of Cape Finisterre, he left his money to his brother, on condition that he buy back Sausmarez Manor, which had passed out of the male line in the 16th century. Thus, in 1748, this younger branch of the family regained its ancestral home. Some years later, the leading sculptor Sir Henry Cheere, Mary Miers retraces the history of Sausmarez Manor and marvels at the beauty of the house and its subtropical gardens
One of the most distinguished Andros descendants was John’s grandson Sir Edmund, who was not only the first governor of New Sculpture has been synonymous with Sausmarez Manor since 1998
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August 17, 2022 | Country Life | 33 Gardens York, but also held governorships of New Plymouth, Guernsey and five other American states. When he died in 1714, he left his fortune to his nephew John, provided he ‘build within five years of my death a good suitable house on or at the manor of Sasmares in Guernsey’.
The result, built of ashlar blocks of local granite, was a house of an elegance and Classical proportion not seen before in the Channel Islands. Although no architect is recorded—it was possibly drawn up from a pattern book—and its William-and-Mary style would have seemed old fashioned in England when it was built in 1714–18, it had a revolutionary influence on the buildings of Guernsey and Jersey. No other farm or manor house had yet acquired such perfect symmetry or fine internal woodwork. The steps leading up to the segmental-pedimented front door, the diminutive pediment atop the oversailing eaves cornice and the belvedere on the roof ridge provide a satisfying central emphasis to the three-storey, five-bay façade, the alternating dormer heads a subtle play on the contrasting triangular and segmental pediments below. Not only do we see here the earliest surviving hipped roof in the Channel Islands, but also their first fanlight and sliding sash windows, the latter glittering with a remarkable 24 panes of glass each. The compact plan of only one room either side of the oak staircase on each of the main floors survives, with rooms that retain original panelling and powder closets, one lined with 17th-century Mortlake tapestries.
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In about 1820, Thomas de Sausmarez, who had 28 children, doubled the depth of the house. The new rear range, which included the draw ing and dining rooms and was remodelled to its present form in 1873, overlooks a yard sloping down to a fish pond. Barns of vary ing ages stand on either side, the (altered) In recent years, current owner Peter de Sausmarez has moved away from sculpture to subtropical planting and even poetry
Sausmarez Manor opened to the public in the 1960s and, since then, Mr de Sausmarez has initiated many visitor attractions in and around the house, from ghost tours and an annual sculpture festival to a coffee roastery and artisan copper workshop in the barns. But his outstanding legacy is the transformation of the woodland gardens into one of the UK’s first country-house sculpture parks, opened in 1998, and a pioneering subtropical garden that has been shortlisted for two prestigious awards this year. The Wild Subtropical Gardens ArtParK, as it’s now known, is one of only eight in the run ning for the Historic Houses Association’s Garden of the Year award (you can vote online until September 30); it has also been selected for the RHS’s 2022 regional Partner Garden of the Year competition. The four-acre garden, with two lakes, still provides a lush backdrop for some 60 works of abstract and figurative sculpture, all of which are for sale. However, when the craze took off in the early 2000s and commercial country-house sculpture parks became two a penny, Mr de Sausmarez decided to shift his focus to redeveloping the subtropical gardens.
Sausmarez Manor is also the headquarters for Art Parks International, a comprehen sive website devoted to sculpture for sale (www.artparks.co.uk) The
pastsculptures,andpresent,thatreartheirheadsonthepristinelawnsofSausmarezManorareascolourfulandjoyfulasthecurrentplantingschemesthatbringlushinteresttothegardens,frombananatreestogiantgeraniums
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Korea and Tasmania, marvel at angels’ trum pets in winter bloom and admire a handkerchief tree and 200 camellias. Palm trees, Japanese and African banana trees and giant stands of bamboo add height—Phyllostachys viridiglaucescens reaches 30ft; rewilded areas are spangled with snowdrops and bluebells. There are ginger, arum and canna lilies; giant geraniums, echiums and agapanthus; yams and lily-of-the-valley trees. Visitors can follow a poetry path and stumble upon works such as Tim Fortune’s syruplike Drop in stainless steel or Tomas Horvath’s sweeping granite head The Messenger. Many of the plants would not grow easily on the mainland, which is what makes the setting of Sausmarez Manor so exceptional. It’s a subtropical paradise that owes much to the creative energy of the current seigneur —and it deserves to be a winner.
Today, you can wind through surging waves of ferns brought from as far away as
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‘Tudor barn’ on the left incorporating part of John Andros’s house, a surviving lintel of which is inscribed ‘I A 1585’, and some stonework from its medieval predecessor. The Victorian work was carried out by Gen George de Sausmarez with the help of a local engineer and surveyor, James Duquemin Jnr. The set piece was the baro nial hall positioned to the right of the entrance front, which was ‘contrived by the general himself with monstrous amateur brio,’ as Alistair Rowan wrote in his article on Sausmarez Manor (COUNTRY LIFE, November 25, 1971). It featured ‘a sprawling staircase, twice the size of anything else in the house’, with Breton church sculptures, caryatid figures and Burmese wood carvings lending ‘vigorous eccentricities’. Having escaped requisition during the German Occupation in the 1940s because it had no electric light, the house was modern ised in the 1950s by Cecil de Sausmarez, from whom Peter de Sausmarez acquired the manor in 1982. It came with one of the titles traditionally held by the seigneur— Echanson heredetaire du Roy d’Angleterre. Another title—Chatelaine de Jerbourg, charged with keeping the fort in good order —was relinquished in 1940.
Sausmarez Manor, St Martin, Guernsey, is open for guided historic and ghost tours. The Wild Subtropical Gardens ArtParK is open all year (01481 235571; www.sausmarez manor.co.uk; www.artparks.co.uk).
Findingtherighthomehas toworkforyourfamily,your lifestyleandyourfuture. Whetheryou’rebuying,sellingorinvestinginproperty intheChannelIslands,you’llbegettingmarketleadinglegaladvicewhenyouinstructus. Wespecialiseinsupportinghighnet-worthindividuals andtheirfamilies.Ourclientsvalueourpersonal, commercialandcomprehensiveapproach. Expertguidance,preciselytailored. Ourwiderservicesinclude: •advisingonrelocationsandhighvalueresidency applicationsinconjunctionwithtrustedtaxadvisers •coordinatingsurveyorsandarchitects,aswellas privatebanks,toprovideanintegrated,bespoke offering •responsiveandcommerciallyawareplanningand constructionlawadvice •acomprehensivesuiteofbroaderprivatewealth services,deliveredinseamlesscombinationwithyour otherservicerequirements PropertyLaw ogierproperty.com RedwoodHouse,StJulian’sAvenue,StPeterPort,GuernseyGY11WA|Telephone:+441481721672 44Esplanade,StHelier,JerseyJE49WG|Telephone:+441534514056 See ogier.com formoreinformationaboutOgier’slegalservices.
David Tomlinson
enjoys birdwatching on Guernsey, as he takes in a bewitching array of migratory species Above: Peregrine falcons are celebrated on the bailiwick’s stamps. Below: A griffon vulture, a rare visitor Much to the chagrin of Jersey birders, the royal tern never visited Country Life International CLI369.guernsey_birdwatching.indd 36 10/08/2022 11:38
T HERE’S a rule in birdwatching: the smaller the island, the fewer the number of breeding birds. That’s certainly true of Guernsey, with only 80 species that nest regularly. However, it’s also true that small islands have a happy knack of attracting interesting and often rare migrants, which is also the case with Guernsey. Among the rarities that arrive regularly are honey buzzards, rosecoloured starlings, short-toed larks and both melodious and yellow-browed warblers.
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All in a flap
The island has a long history of unlikely birds turning up. Perhaps the most remarkable is the griffon vulture that spent four days on Guernsey in August 2000 (it was also seen on Sark). Previously, the last record of a griffon from mainland Britain had been in 1927. Because of its more westerly position, there’s far more chance of finding a vagrant American wader on Guernsey than Jersey. Buff-breasted sandpipers, for example, are almost annual, yet exceedingly rare on the larger island. The most intriguing among the many migrants that occur regularly on Guernsey, but not Jersey, is Pallas’s warbler, a tiny bird from Asia that is now recorded almost annually, but has only once been found on the neighbouring island. Historic records reveal birds that are unlikely to ever be found again, such as an Icelandic gyr falcon in 1876, two little bustards shot in 1865 and 1874 and a Pallas’s sandgrouse shot in May 1888. There also are nine pre-war records of whitetailed eagles, but most were shot or poisoned. The reintroduction project on the Isle of Wight may well lead to future sightings of this impressive raptor. Perhaps the most celebrated of Guernsey’s rarities, however, was a royal tern that was first found in February 2017 on the north-east tip of the island. Royal terns are big, elegant birds with a strikingly large orange beak; they are principally an American species and are exceedingly rare vagrants to British waters. Guernsey’s individual remained around its coast for more than a year, eventually departing north for a short tour of the south coast of England, where it drew crowds of twitchers. Much to the chagrin of Jersey birders,
notitnevervisited.Seabirdsandislandsareanaturalpairing,soit’ssurprising to learn that Guernsey has nesting guillemots, razorbills and even puffins, together with fulmars and shags. The numbers may be modest, especially compared with the colonies of Shetland or housesplainmanyagriculture,countryside,walkbicyclesaccessiblewatchthebottlenosespeciesnationalmakeHumps)andincludingandcoastthesunshine,moreofteninbreedingOrkney,buttheseareamongthemostsoutherlyauksanywhereintheworld.Unlikethenorthernisles,wheregoodweatherisinshortsupply,visitorstoGuernseyarelikelytoenjoywatchingthesebirdsintheastheChannelIslandsareofficiallysunniestlocationintheBritishIsles.AshortdistanceoffGuernsey’seasternarethetinyislandsofHermandJethou,they,togetherwithninerockyislets,GrandeFauconnière,CrevichonBréhonTower,plussixsandbanks(Theandsurroundingshallowtidalwaters,upaRamsarsite,awetlandofinter-importance.Nofewerthannineofseabirdsbreed,asdogreyseals,anddolphinscanbeseenthroughoutyear.TherecanbefewprettierplacestobirdsthanHerm,thesmallestpubliclyChannelIsland.Bothcarsandarebannedandittakes10minutestofromonesideoftheislandtotheother.OneofthemanyjoysofGuernseyisitsprettywhich,thankstosmall-scalehasapparentlychangedlittlefordecades,althoughlocalresidentscom-thatthenever-endingdemandformorehasinevitablyreducedthehabitat
AlamyGetty; available for wildlife. It is, of course, dairy country and the island’s 1,400 gold and white Guernsey cows help explain the abundance of swallows. The pastures grazed by the cows are hunted by barn owls. These owls’ principal prey is the Guernsey vole, a species that, although widespread on the Continent, on these shores is restricted to Guernsey andGuernsey’sOrkney.
Clockwise from top left: Peregrine falcons; gannets nesting on Alderney; a European honey buzzard; an Atlantic puffin in breeding plumage
barn owls do not have to compete with tawny owls, for the latter are absent from the Channel Islands. This leaves a niche for long-eared owls—a few pairs nest annually on Guernsey and there’s usually a pair on Herm, too. They are easiest to find in the spring, when the chicks’ persistent and far-carrying food-begging calls reveal their presence. There’s only one species of bird that breeds on Guernsey, but has never bred on mainland Britain: the short-toed treecreeper. On the Channel island, it’s a widespread breeding bird in parks, large gardens and woods. There’s now far more woodland on the island than there was 70 years ago—most of it had been cleared during the German occupation—so this easily overlooked species is benefiting from the changing landscape. Nature every spring, suggesting that they might nest one day.
Birdwatchers searching for migrants have the best chance of success on the headlands of Pleinmont, Jerbourg, Icart and Fort Doyle. There are hides at Claire Mare, Grand Pré and Rue des Bergers nature reserves, where a variety of waders and water birds can be seen, depending on the time of the year. For woodland birds, check out the valleys of Fauxquets, Talbot and Petit Bot. For the serious birder, late summer and early autumn are the most exciting times, when flocks of endangered Balearic shearwaters can be seen in their hundreds from the northern headlands, with the chance, too, of spotting a variety of skuas, terns, gulls and shearwaters. If you discover a rare breeding species that you think might be vulnerable, contact La Société Guernesiaise, a local charity that researches the island’s history and natural history (01481 725093; www.societe.org.gg) and has considerable experience in protecting rare breeding birds. If you are lucky enough to find a rare migrant, do let the La Société know, for it has an active bird section. Like elsewhere, Guernsey has lost a number of breeding birds during the past 100 years. Choughs last bred in 1929, although a reintroduction programme on Jersey may well lead to these attractive red-beaked crows establishing themselves on Guernsey’s cliffs—this spring, a pair of birds has been present on the cliffs at Pleinmont. Both corncrakes and wrynecks disappeared in the 1930s; more recent losses included skylarks, mistle thrushes and yellowhammers, none of which are now regular breeders. However, there have been gains, too. Until recently, buzzards were regarded as passage migrants, but they first nested in 2011 and are now firmly established. Great spotted woodpeckers are another former rarity that has now become an established breeding bird. Peregrines were lost as breeding birds in the 1950s, but started nesting again in 1997 and there are now at least three pairs. Fan-tailed warblers have nested a few times in recent years, and look likely to establish themselves, and Dartford warblers are to be found through the year in the gorse. In recent years, a colony of little egrets has become established near Herm and golden orioles are heard
CLI369.guernsey_birdwatching.indd 37 10/08/2022 11:39
August 17, 2022 | Country Life | 37
St Peter Port, price on application Mont Bleu is a handsome 9,000sq ft townhouse in an elevated position in St Peter Port, offering amazing panoramic views out over the busy harbour, Castle Cornet and the offshore islands. The main accommodation is arranged over four floors: downstairs, the 50ft integrated kitchen-living area flows seamlessly into the outdoor spaces. Upstairs are seven bedroom suites, many of which could easily work as a home office or as guest accommodation. Outside, the extensive terraces make the most of the far-reaching views. Livingroom (01481 715555; www.livingroom.gg)
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Castel, £4.25 million Le Groignet is a magnificent estate nestling in one of the island’s most picturesque valleys, dating in part from 1581. The principal house is Victorian and retains many character features: accommodation is spread over three floors, offering well-proportioned rooms with good natural light. There are five entertaining and family rooms in the main house, with additional accommodation available in a selfcontained side wing and a cottage. The substantial holding includes magnificent landscaped gardens and 15 acres of woods and farmland, which offer total privacy, as well as beautiful outlooks in every direction. Savills (01481 713463, www.savills.com)
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The magnificent seven Holly Kirkwood discovers a selection of the most beautiful properties for sale across Guernsey St Saviour, £2.275 million Fleur De Lys is a charming four-bedroom country house with two acres of gardens within walking distance of Perelle Bay, on the island’s west coast. Accommodation comprises sitting room, dining room, kitchen and sun room, plus a further bedroom (or study) downstairs; the rest of the bedrooms, including the primary suite and a family bathroom, are upstairs. Outside, past the gardens, lie the tennis court and an agricultural field, which could make a fine wildflower meadow or paddock. Livingroom (01481 715555; www.livingroom. gg), Cooper Brouard (01481 236039; www.cooperbrouard.com), Swoffers (01481 711766; www.swoffers.co.uk)
With youevery step of the way OFFSHORELA WS PECIALIS TS BIGGERPICTURE BERMUD AB RITISHVIRGINISLANDSCA YM ANISLANDSGUERNSEYJERSEY CAPE TO WNHO NG KO NG LO NDONSINGAPORE ca reyolsen.com If yo uare co nsidering re lo cating to Guernsey, we havethelocalk nowledgeand ex perie nce to gui de yo ua nd yo ur fa milythroughall aspectsofyourmove. We ca nintro du ceyo utothe keypeople invo lvedinthe re sidencya ppli ca tio np roce ss andprov idespecialistlegaladviceinrelation to re lo catio n; re sidentialand co mmercial property;Guernseytaxandtheimplications of be coming aG uernseytax re sident; re locating yo urassets,investments and businessinte rests;andhelping yo ur key employeesmove to the Island. RELATEDSERVICES ⁄ Relocation ⁄ PrivateClient ⁄ Residentialand Co mmercial Property ⁄ Ma nager Re lo ca tion ⁄ Trustsand EstatePlanning ⁄ Willsand Inheritance ⁄ Co rporateLaw ⁄ Regula to ry ⁄ Fa milyOffice ⁄ Fo undationsandPhilanthropy ⁄ Employ ment, Pensionsand Ince ntives To discus syour re qui rements in co nfidence, ple ase co ntact: Jason Morgan Partner,Pro perty D+ 44 (0)1481741 563 Ejason.morgan@careyolsen.com Ru ssellClark Partner,Trustsand Pr ivateWealth D+ 44 (0)1481732049 Erussell.clark@careyolsen.com DaveyLe Marquand Partner,Pro perty D+ 44 (0) 1481732009 Edavey.lemarquand@careyolsen.com Image courtesyofV isitGuernsey
Savills (01481 713463, www.savills.com) St Martin, £5.45 million Highfield is an elegant period family home with a pretty village on its doorstep and access to clifftop walks along the southeast coast. A range of reception rooms downstairs provides ample space for relaxing and hosting company, as does the orangery in the extension and the cinema room on the lower ground floor. The five generous bedrooms are all upstairs. Outside, the mature gardens offer wonderful views out to sea. Cooper Brouard (01481 swoffers.co.uk)Swoffers715555;savills.com),Savillswww.cooperbrouard.com),236039;(01481713463;www.Livingroom,(01481www.livingroom.gg),(01481711766;www.
St Andrew, £3.25 million Located in an idyllic rural spot in St Andrew, a few minutes’ drive from the airport, Les Blicqs is a traditional farmhouse with beautiful natural light throughout. The reception rooms on the lower floors are ideal for both entertaining and family life. Upstairs are three bedrooms, with a fourth in the selfcontained apartment. The charming gardens extend into a mature woodland; the land totals a little more than five acres.
Swoffers (01481 711766; www.swoffers.co.uk) St Saviour, £2.95 million La Grande Rue is a charming farmhouse located inland from the best beaches on Guernsey’s west coast. There are several reception rooms, including a family room, sitting room, dining room, study, snug and a large breakfast kitchen, plus five bedrooms and six bath/shower rooms. A converted barn, which could offer additional accommodation, lies out side, as do two local-market properties that provide an annual income. The gardens are immaculately landscaped: the far end of the pool house offers the perfect spot to while away sunny afternoons. Swoffers (01481 711766; www.swoffers.co.uk)
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St Peter Port, £7.95 million One of the finest Georgian properties on the island, The Elms is a magnificent townhouse in a prime residential area of St Peter Port, offering terrific views out over Cambridge Park and flexible accommodation over four levels. It includes six bed rooms and the reception rooms all have pleasing proportions and large, elegant windows. The basement opens straight onto the exceptional walled gardens, which have been carefully curated over many years and feature a succession of southfacing terraces, which fall away overlooking the gardens of Candie Museum.
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Sw itch bo ard: +4 4 (0)14 81 7558 62 Em ail: ta xe nq uirie s@lt s-t ax .com or vi sit lt s-t ax .com Gu er nsey is qu iet an d un as su mi ng Isl a nd , off er in g re lo cato rs a safe an d se cu re life st yle, a sin glefi xe d rate of pers onal in co me t ax , no ca pita l ta xe s an d annual ma xim umin co meta x ca ps th at range from £4 0,0 00 to £260,0 00 (d epen din g up on in di vi dual ci rcum st an ce s) Fo r mo re in fo rm at io n pl ease ca ll ei th er; PROAC TIVE,HIGH QUALITYSERVICES WITHAPERSONAL ANDFLEXIBLE APPROAC H Sa ra h Ke nealy CTA As so ciate Di re ctor DD: +4 4 (0)14 81 747744 E: sa ra h. ke nea ly@lts-t ax .co m Ju lian Turi an AT T FM AAT Executive Di re ctor D D: +4 4(0)14 81 7430 45 E: julia n.tu ri an @lts-t ax .co m 10 9 7 9 L TS T AX CO UN T R Y L IF E 14 2 X 2 20 J U L Y 2 02 2 i n d d 101 97 9- AXCOUN TRYLIFE142X220JULY2022.indd1 2 1/ 07 / 20 2 2 16 :0 6 21/07/202216:06 COUN TRYL IFEiswhere bu yer ss ea rchfor thei rd ream Forpropert ya dv er ti si ng in form at ionple as ec ontactL uc yK ho sl a: lucy.k ho sl a@ futu renet.com–075 83 10 69 90 OU RP RO PE RT YP AG ES AR EW HE RE TH EF IN ES TH OU SE SA RE SH OW CA SE DTOA RE FI NE D, WE AL TH YR EA DE RS HI PI NB OT HT HE UK AN DO VE RS EA S THEHOMEOFPREMIUM PROPERTY CL WP.indd 1 09/08/2022 15:04
92 | Country Life | August 17, 2022 A litany of talent has occupied these beautiful houses and estates, from the D’Oyly Cartes of Gilbert and Sullivan fame, to the actor Sir John Mills and ‘Mr Men’ and ‘Little Miss’ creator Roger Hargreaves Quiet places under the sun Propertymarket Penny Churchill I N the late 1800s, the poet and scholar A. E. Housman famously hailed four settlements in Shropshire’s picturesque hasdespiteeastbe,underandClunvalley—Clunton,Clunbury,ClungunfordClun—asbeing‘thequietestplacesthesun’.Nomatterhowquietthoseplacesmaythey’resurelynotasquietastheancientHampshirevillageofBinsted,which,beinglistedintheDomesdaysurvey,nowrittenhistoryfortheperiodfrom the 12th century until the early 19th century. Binstedfromvillageitsofitoccurred‘nothingAccordingtothevillagewebsite,thisisbecauseofanysignificanceappearstohaveinBinstedduringthatperiod,orifdid,itseemstohaveescapedtheattentionthoseresponsiblefordocumentinghistory’.Althoughlocatedlessthanthreemilesfromnearestneighbour,thewell-documentedofBentley,andlessthanfourmilestheGeorgianmarkettownofAlton,was,historically,asmall,isolated farming community, set in a tranquil land scape of farms and woodland where life likelyFortunately,throughvillage,Haytimethefollowedtheseasonsfromoneyeartothenext.Now,changeisonthehorizon,followinglaunchontothemarket,forthefirstin70years,ofthetimeless,569-acrePlaceestateatthesouthernendoftheataguidepriceof£12.5millionSavillsinWinchester(01962857441).anychangeatHayPlaceistobeminimal,giventhattheestate CLI369.prop_market.indd 92 11/08/2022 15:52
falls within the South Downs National Park, although planning consent has been granted to convert a range of traditional farm buildings ‘thought to date back to the mid-Victorian era’ into four residential units. None of the estate buildings are listed—not even Hay Place itself, a handsome brick and stone-built house thought to date from the same period as the farmstead. The building was sympathetically extended in the 1950s, when the grandparents of the current vendors bought the estate as a working farm and added large entertaining rooms, a country kitchen and most of the bedrooms. Now in need of updating, the house offers 6,146sq ft of accommodation, including three main reception rooms, a music room and study, eight bed rooms, three bathrooms and extensive attics. The gardens and grounds that surround Hay Place are exceptionally quiet and private, says selling agent Geoff Jones, and include a swimming pool and tennis court in need of restoration. A terrace of three traditional cottages at the top of the drive has been let on Assured Shorthold Tenancies to the same occupants for many years. Also let on a common law tenancy is The Facing page: Hampshire’s Hay Place lies within the South Downs National Park. £12.5m Above: Sussex House Farm in Kent. £6.5m
August 17, 2022 | Country Life | 93 Find the best properties at countrylife.co.uk
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Meanwhile, Will Peppitt of Savills (07967 555712) is handling the launch of idyllic, ring-fenced Sussex House Farm, which lies in rolling countryside in the High Weald
House‘LittleHargreaves,ownedforto‘frolickingRoberts,werewhothereHayleyuntilandcountrysaleacresacrestwoeight£790,000;Cottagewoodland,andgardens,listedof229-acreofAONB,1½milessouth-eastofthequaintvillageCowdenontheSussex/Kentborder.Thefarmisforsalewithaguideprice£6.5mforthewhole,orinuptofivelots.Lot1comprisestherestored,GradeII*-16th-centuryfarmhousewithitsoutbuildings,equestrianfacilities77½acresofpasture,paddocksandonofferat£4.15m;lot2,Hayleywithabout10¾acresispricedatlot3,TheLodgewithjustunderacres,isat£5.95m;andlots4and5—parcelsoffarmland,oneofjustover77northofKentWater,theother55¾southofSussexHouseFarm—areforat£565,000and£400,000respectively.SussexHouseFarmwasthemuch-lovedretreatoftheactorSirJohnMillshisfamilyfromtheearlypost-waryearsthe1960s.Hisdaughter,thechildstarMills,wasreputedly‘discovered’byoneofthemanycelebrityguestswereregularvisitors.AmongthemRexHarrisonandhiswife,Rachelwhowerereputedlyphotographedintheswimmingpool’,accordingareportinanationalnewspaper.Then,fiveyearsinthe1980s,thefarmwasbyauthorandillustratorRogerthecreatorofthe‘MrMen’andMiss’seriesofchildren’sbooks.Thepresentowners,whoboughtSussexFarmin2000,havepainstakingly
Moving house, quite literally T OM SHUTTLEWORTH of Strutt & Parker (07979 128193) is handling the sale of classic Georgian Hare Hatch House, listed Grade II, which stands in some 32 acres of parkland, paddocks and wood land near the village of that name, 1¾ miles from Twyford and 4¾ miles from Henley-on-Thames. He quotes a guide price of £5.95m for the beautifully appointed, eight-bedroom country house, which dates from the 18th century, but, according to its listing, was rebuilt in 1912 after being moved to its present site from a position closer to the A4 LondonBath road. Last sold in 2004, previous owners include the Sutton seed-growing family and the D’Oyley Carte family of Gilbert and Sullivan fame.
restored, modernised and extended the main farmhouse around its original timberframed core, which dates from 1580. They have also restored the swimming pool and installed a biomass boiler that heats the house, barn and garden cottage. The farmhouse stands on high ground looking north over gardens and pasture to Kent Water. It offers more than 6,665sq ft of characterful accommodation on three floors, including a reception hall, four reception rooms, a study, modern kitchen and playroom on the ground floor, with four bedrooms, forfloor,fourbathroomsandadressingroomonthefirstandthemastersuiteonthefloorabove.Landscapedgardenscreateafinesettingthehouse,withstonestepsleadingdown
to the newly refurbished, heated swimming pool. To the west of the house is the kitchen garden, where greenhouses and raised beds harbour an array of flowers, fruit and vegetables. To the east of the house is a wellmaintained floodlit hard tennis court with a timber However,pavilion.equestrianism is clearly the sport of choice at Sussex House Farm. A mix of modern and traditional facilities include 12 stables, tack rooms, a hay barn and feed rooms, a horse walker, outdoor school and an impressive indoor arena measuring 42m by 30m (138ft by 98ft). The paddocks provide ample grazing for the horses and there is endless space to ride in the surrounding area.
Equestrianism is clearly the sport of choice at Sussex House Farm The reception hall of 16th-century Sussex House Farm, once home to actor Sir John Mills
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94 | Country Life | August 17, 2022 Propertymarket Goldings, a three-bedroom cottage of con struction similar to that of Hay Place itself. At present, the land is farmed under a Farm Business Tenancy, with vacant possession available from September 2023. The farmland is divided into three distinct parcels: some 250 acres of rich loamy soil around the house and farmstead that is exceptionally well suited to the growing of cereal crops; 102 acres of similar free-draining, lime-rich soil to the north; and, to the east, a further 215 acres of pasture, arable and woodland on higher ground at Wheatley Farm, where a shoot run in conjunction with the farm tenant has produced some excellent sport over the years.
RIVERSIDELIVING Enjoy pe rf ect 24/7security andconcierge TheLensburyspaand tenniscentrenextdoor TeddingtonVillage 5minswalk 30minsto CentralLondon Secureundergroundparking andextrastorageunits Dog friendly We movedto Te ddingtonRiversideandhaveneverbeenhappier.Amajorplusis Te ddingtonVillageitself,it’salovelyfriendlyplacewithlotsoflocalshopsandgood re staurants. Ron&Isobel –Residents 1, 2&3bedroomapartments,and4bedroomtownhousespositioned besidetheRiver Thames.Nestledin4.5acresofmaturelandscaped gardensand re ady-to-move-intonow.|Pricesform£610,000 MARKETINGSUITEOPEN DA ILY BO OKANAPPOINTMENT TODAY | 0207 34 90091 “ “
Propertiesoftheweek Annunciata Elwes 96 | Country Life | August 17, 2022
Those gorgeous Georgians Houses that prove the Georgian era’s immense variety West Sussex, £2.95 million Not seen on the market for 35 years, Holt Place was once a duck-shooting lodge on the nearby Goodwood estate and localrumourhasitthataDukeofRichmond once lived here. Sadly, between the World Wars, it became almost derelict, butitwasrestoredbyabuilderwhohaddemolishednearby WarsashHouse,enablinghimtoinstallanornateItalianfireplace, finepanellingandcarvedbannisters.Today,ithasfivebedrooms andaswimmingpoolandcomeswithaseparateone-bedroom flat, two-bedroom coach house and other outbuildings, withintwoacresthatalsoincludeavegetablegarden,sunken garden and ha-ha. Close to the villages of Birdham and Itchenor, within the Chichester Harbour AONB, Holt Place is about 10 minutes’ drive from West Wittering beach and five miles south of Chichester. Stride & Son (01243 782626) Suffolk, £2.5 million Pretty, pink Melton Hall—on the edge of Woodbridge, ‘one of the most popular towns in East Anglia’—has been home to only four families since 1936, when it was sold by the Woods,whohadbeenonsitesincethe16thcentury. Rooms in the Regency house are high-ceilinged and lightfilled, with five bedrooms and a double-aspect drawing room opening, via French doors, onto a south-facing terrace. The 7½ acres of beautiful gardens beyond include a wildflower meadow, Japanese water garden, swimming pool, tennis court, woodland copse and a crinkle-crankle walled rose and vegetable garden. Further accommodation canbefoundintheconvertedcoachhouse(withindependent access), where a two-bedroom flat sits above a garage and workshop. Savills (01473 234800) Cornwall, £3.75 million Guests will be spoilt for choice with 11 bedrooms at Treharrock Manor, close to Port Isaac, Rock and Polzeath, with potential for further accommodation ontheatticsecondfloor.‘Itisimmensely rare in this popular corner of Cornwall tofindsomewheresoimposing,private and yet within just a few minutes’ drive ofthecoast,’enthusesagentJosephine Ashby. The Grade II-listed Georgian manorhousealsohasasnookerroom, wine cellar, cinema room and games room, plus an all-weather tennis court within its 13½ acres, as well as a pond, croquetlawn,bluebellwoods,meadows, orchard and extensive gardens. Consent has been granted for the conversion of the old coach house into a four-bedroom residence together with a new two-bedroom annexe with swimming pool and carport. John Bray Estates (01208 862601)
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Close to the church in the lovely village of Welsh St Donats—just west of Hensol Forest near the market town of Cowbridge, about 13 miles from Cardiff—18th-century Great House is listed Grade II and has a music room, library and six bedrooms, with a summerhouse in its sheltered garden. Plenty of period features contribute to its charm, including a Georgian fanlight over the front door, sash and shuttered windows, high ceilings and handsome fireplaces throughout. Watts & Morgan (01446 773500)
August 17, 2022 | Country Life | 97
Vale of Glamorgan, excess £1.4 million
Northumberland, £3.95 million
In a little hamlet close to the Mill Burn, a tributary of the River Pont (not far from Belsay and Morpeth), there are four bedrooms in the main house (although the principal suite’s dressing room is large enough to double as an extra), plus a two-storey, four-bedroom apartment, which could be kept separate or reintegrated with the main part. The courtyard contains three carriage houses comprising three, three and two bedrooms, ideal for rental income. Outside, the 24 acres of land offer everything you’d expect from a house of this calibre, with a meandering drive, formal lawn, summerhouse in a walled garden, mature trees, pond, paddock, terracing and stables. Strutt & Parker (01670 516123)
CLI369.props_week.indd 97 11/08/2022 09:49 9000
What is truly ingenious about Milbourne Hall, found Pevsner, is that nearly every room is oval in shape. Built of local iron-flecked Belsay stone, architect John Paterson’s design includes an octagonal courtyard, central rotunda, a Doric-columned portico and octagonal library, all arranged with immense symmetry; other interesting features include Classical friezes, beautiful fireplaces and a secret staircase.
