The McVitie's digestive has been a British classic for over 100 years (it was first made in 1895) and is still so enduringly popular that 52 McVitie's chocolate digestives are eaten in Britain every single second.
With that in mind, it's no surprise to hear that the McVities family was rather well-heeled, and has been for a long, long time. In 1907, Robert McVitie bought himself this beautiful Georgian house in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, shortly before the biscuit company (then known as McVitie & Price) opened a factory in Harlesden (their first outside Scotland).
The mansion he bought was the one you see on this page, Woodcock Hill. It's a delightful old place that served as the McVitie home until Robert's death, after which it became a home for Carmelite nuns.
After the Second World War it was divided into three large apartments – one of which takes up the entire ground floor, and is on the market via Fine & Country at £1,750,000.
At the heart of the apartment is the dining and drawing rooms, separate spaces connected by an archway, and full of period details such as the ornate coving, high ceilings, chandeliers and the open fireplace.
Doors from the drawing room open out onto an original Victorian conservatory whose original mosaic floor is as delightful, and which gives easy access onto the three acres of gardens – a mixture of lawns, formal gardens, a walled flower garden and a small orchard.
The two reception rooms take up most of one side of the apartment – over 50ft – while on the other side of the hallway are a kitchen/breakfast with an Aga and a generously-sized double-aspect study that is 17'x17'.
The bedrooms and two bathrooms – which boast beautiful period fittings – are arranged at the far end of the property, giving a degree of separation between the two parts of the home.
There is further space down below: there is a large cellar with two vaults, one of which is used as a wine cellar while the other is currently fitted out as a gym.There is also a separate wood store with a chute, while there is a further wood shed and a workshop within the grounds.
9 utterly magnificent apartments where you can live in splendour at a fraction of the usual cost
An apartment within a listed mansion offers a fantastic mix of affordability, practicality and splendour, as these stunning places show.
Credit: Strutt & Parker
The magnificent apartment that hosted Lloyd George, Churchill and Conan Doyle
This exquisite apartment is situated in the former home of Arthur Balfour.
A ballroom in Bath, the finest view in York, and three more incredible flats outside London
We're all used to seeing fabulous apartments in Britain's capital city – but London doesn't have the monopoly on amazing living
-
A Clarkson's Farm of one's own: Five properties with just enough farmland for you and your family, from under £1 millionMoving to the country is one thing; moving to the country and being able to grow and rear all your own food is another level entirely, and all these properties offer exactly that.
-
Six superb homes, from chocolate box cottages to grand Tudor mansions, as seen in Country LifeOur regular round-up includes charming home counties houses and superb grand country house in Ireland.
-
A billionaire's thatched cottage is for sale in Surrey, once owned by the oil magnate J. Paul GettyChestnut Cottage is a joyous little home — albeit one with the most unusual bedrooms to acreage to price balances we've ever seen. Toby Keel takes a look inside.
-
Medieval Italian? 19th century French? 16th century German? You're spoilt for choice if you're looking to buy a gorgeous continental castleFrom hills of Italy to a Bavarian palace, Toby Keel takes a look at three of the finest castles for sale across Europe today.
-
How to buy a house at auctionBuying at auction can mean you secure your dream property for a bargain price, but preparation is the key
-
The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same timeThe houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
-
Living on the edge? A lighthouse for sale on a clifftop on one of the most remote islands in BritainBressay Lighthouse was built by the father and uncle of the 'Treasure Island' author.
-
Alan Titchmarsh is selling his Hampshire home (and the garden that comes with it): Exclusive pictures and interviewAfter many happy years in Hampshire, the writer, broadcaster and national treasure Alan Titchmarsh is selling up and looking to move. He spoke to Penny Churchill about his years at Manor Farm House.
