British Vogue - 04.2020

T

he Downton Abbey writer Julian

Fellowes described the English

country house as ‘an icon of British

culture’, and for centuries it has

been a proud part of this nation’s

landscape. A symbol of history, status and leisure,

the country house represents for many a bucolic

escape, far from the hustle and noise of the city.

The perfect rural retreat is certainly a prize

asset, and notoriously to find. Unlike in

London, where the sheer volume of property

gives you greater choice, countryside homes

are in shorter supply and no two are exactly the

same. When you add in the fact that the best

houses hardly ever come up for sale, instead

being passed down through family members, it

can turn the process of finding a ‘dream home’

into something of a quest.

Fortunately, there are some excellent properties

currently on the market. Barrington Hall in

Hertfordshire is the quintessential trophy house

• an imposing Georgian manor surrounded by
  parkland. A grand, double-height entrance hall
  is sure to impress visitors, while the intricate
  plasterwork ceilings reflect the property’s rich
  past. ‘I love how a house might have developed
  over centuries,’ says Lindsay Cuthill, the head of
  Savills’ country department. ‘Owning a house
  that played a part in history would be a major
  attraction for me.’
  For Luke Morgan, director of Strutt & Parker’s
  national country house department, a key
  part of a trophy house is the first impression it
  makes – even before you go in. ‘Every big stately

home has a beautiful long approach – that’s why

we have so much Capability Brown parkland,’

he says. ‘If you drive past a country house and

see big walls, imposing gates and a long driveway,

you think “wow, this has presence.”’

This is certainly true of Stedcombe House in

Devon. The attractive 17th-century property is

hidden from the road but reveals itself as you

go down the winding drive, allowing visitors to

admire its magnificent position with views across

the Axe Valley and the surrounding farmland.

In Bedfordshire, the Grade I-listed Hinwick

House is another estate that is guaranteed to

charm all who set eyes on it – it has a classical

Queen Anne façade, an 18th-century clock

tower, and extensive grounds. Its rare beauty

makes it the ultimate trophy property – whoever

purchases it can be rightly proud of its heritage

and enjoy the good life for many years to come.

PRIZE

POSSESSION

Find your trophy country house: Rosemary Brooke rounds up

the best in the field

BARRINGTON HALL, HERTFORDSHIRE

Accessed via a long, tree-lined driveway, this

Georgian country house makes a spectacular first

impression. Set on 41.25 acres, it has an

indoor pool, an ornamental lake and several

ancillary properties. The house has been refurbished

yet retains its exquisite period details. £15 million.

Savills: 020 7075 2806

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