Heritage Homes
Blending characterful heritage with 21st-century comforts, historic homes are in ever fruitful supply
Sussex Farmhouse, UK. A Grade II-listed farmhouse, which includes Oscar-winning actor John Mills among its former owners and has been beautifully renovated in recent times, is at the heart of this stunning estate on the borders of Sussex, Kent and Surrey. Alongside the converted timber barn, three cottages and extensive equestrian and farm buildings, there are spectacular gardens with a pool and a tennis court across the 82 hectares of land. Available through rhrwclutton.com
La Grande Bastide, Vaucluse, France. Built in the 1600s and boasting such characterful features as a stone gatehouse and an ornate Louis XIV fireplace, this grand country house offers a definitive away-from-it-all experience. Fully renovated to modern standards, rolling hillside views and a summer kitchen within the manicured gardens – beside the pool – complete the picture. Available through leggettprestige.com
Chateau, Haute-Normandie, France. If the small chapel dating to the 1930s encapsulates the charm of this estate, 90km west of Paris, then the 17th-century 16 bedroom main house – newly renovated – demonstrates its grandeur. Set in 17 hectares of plush parkland, the property also features three self-contained studios with kitchenettes. Available through significantresidencesworldwide.com
1032 Broadway, San Francisco. Constructed in 1853, this four-bedroom property was one of the first examples of Italianate villas built in San Francisco and is the oldest one remaining in the city today. Built on Russian Hill, it boasts exceptional views and has been fully upgraded for modern comfort. Available through sothebyshomes.com
Historic Chateau, Gascony, France. This 13th-century listed chateau underwent significant modifications in the 16th- & 17th-centuries, and has original features such as wall decorations blending with Renaissance fireplaces. The grounds spread across 8.5 hectares, a quarter of which is terraced parkland. Available through knightfrank.com
Chateau Queyras, Haute Alps, France. Built in 1265 for the Dauphin – with significant updates in the 17th-century – this chateau-fortress remains fit for a prince. The 20-bedroom palace, set behind forbidding stone walls, is surrounded by fairytale Alpine scenery. Available through leggettprestige.com
1830s hillside property, Nice, Côte d’Azur. A four-bedroom villa with a storied past, beautifully perched near the hillside town of Carros, affording stunning vistas over the coastal delights of Nice, this property has recently undergone a comprehensive refurbishment. Available through knightfrank.com
