To quench this very particular through-the-keyhole thirst, we bring you a round-up of some of Britain’s most exclusive properties on the market. They certainly give those US mega mansions a run for their money, from fairy tale Scottish castles to Polynesian-style retreats – all right here in the UK.
Guernsey, £17.5m
Savills
If you’re hankering after a tropical getaway, this unique Polynesian-style, thatched property on Guernsey could provide you with an exotic hideaway closer than you think. Set within a cliffside bluebell wood, overlooking the sea and islands of Herm and Sark beyond, this 12,000sqft, six-bedroom home has been carefully designed to maximise the views and the idyllic location. The ground floor is made for entertaining, with an at-home cocktail bar, wine cellar, billiards room, open-plan kitchen and living space. The real draw however is the wrap-around terrace: perfect for drinking in sundowners and the 180-degree views.
Aberdeenshire, £1.45m
Savills
If you’ve always fancied the idea of your very own castle (frankly, who hasn’t?!) then Tullich Lodge could be just the ticket. Okay, strictly speaking it’s a lodge, not a castle, but it’s got a crenellated tower, so you won’t find us complaining. In actual fact, it’s a Victorian, seven-bedroom former hunting lodge, set in 60 acres of mixed gardens and woodland. There’s also a detached three-bedroom cottage, garaging and outbuildings on the estate, all of which are ripe for holiday lets or staff accommodation. Inside it manages to be both grand yet cosy, with warm wood panelling, open fires and even a well-stocked bar. Set in an unspoilt rural location with far-reaching views across The Coyles of Glen Muick and Lochnagar, it’s the perfect escapist’s retreat from the daily grind.
Surrey, POA
Knight Frank
If 007 were house hunting, this could just be the pad for him. A modernist masterpiece, all low-slung with its white Art Deco curves and sprawling footprint amongst the woodland of the Wentworth Estate, Cherry Hill was built in the 1930s by the visionary British architect, Oliver Hill. Sensitively restored and extensively remodelled to bring its accommodation and facilities up to date, there is now a cinema, spa, underground swimming pool and even a ‘relaxation suite’ to soothe your cares away. Both a modern and historic home with character and cool in equal measure.
Cornwall, £3.8m
Bradleys Estate Agent
If you loved Selling Sunset, you’ll love our own UK slice of ‘Kernowfornia’ with this Malibu mansion-style home atop the cliffs on the south coast of Cornwall. It has all the luxe trappings you’d expect from the price-tag, with sauna, steam room, indoor pool, gym and hot-tub on the deck to take in the incredible sea views. There are even palm trees in the garden for a real ‘LA vibe’.
Surrey, £30m
House Partnership
Think Pride & Prejudice: the 21st-century remake. Sydenhurst Estate in Surrey exudes all the grandeur of a historic country mansion, but is newly built, thus ensuring that it also has all the luxury and practicalities of a high-tech, contemporary home, too. Forget draughty windows, ancient plumbing or a leaky roof. This picture-perfect honey-stoned pile houses nine bedroom suites (all with en-suite bathrooms and dressing rooms, naturally), as well as staff accommodation; two self-contained cottages; swimming pool; tennis court; home cinema; and bowling alley. Yes, you can hit a strike in your pyjamas without even having to open the front door. The whole resplendent affair is set within 30.35 acres of manicured parkland, with formal gardens, stabling and lake. An idyllic home with an eye-watering price tag. We can but dream.
Bath, £5.75m
Savills
Don’t be fooled. This is no ordinary terraced house; it is, in fact, an eight-bedroomed, Grade I-listed home picturesquely positioned on Bath’s famous Georgian Royal Crescent set piece. Not only will the lucky buyer own a slice of English property heritage, all arranged over five floors with every period detail you could ‘ooh’ and ‘aaah’ at, but there’s a three-bedroomed coach house at the bottom of the garden too. The property’s first floor drawing room has to be the stand-out space within this incredible historic home, with a trio of full-length Georgian sash windows through which to enjoy views over the crescent lawns. So grand is the scope of this house that the drawing room has its own ‘withdrawing room’. Fancy that.
London, £40m
Knight Frank
When money is no object, neither is space. This two-acre estate is, in fact, a stone’s throw from central London, situated a moment from Hampstead Heath in Highgate Village. The new-build property has an even ten bedrooms and ten bathrooms, with extensive leisure facilities, including a swimming pool and spa complex to rival any luxe hotel. Outside there is a tennis court, stunning roof terrace with treetop views and discreet staff lodge. For the ultimate #wfh set up, the third floor houses a vast, barrel-ceiling home office, with picture window through which to enjoy the unique city oasis setting.
By Lydia Mansi
October 2020
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