For those looking for a garden sanctuary in a more modern setting, the Grade II-listed Barn House in Hertfordshire might be the perfect landing spot. This house — in the village of Caldicote, not far off the A1 north of Welwyn Garden City and St Albans, is currently on the books of Savills, priced at £4.25 million.
This was a rural barn until redevelopment began, some 20 years ago. The architects responsible for the change were Brooks Murray, who created a modern home under the skin of this barn.
The property is set around a central courtyard in almost a complete square, with a topiary garden and koi pond at the centre.
Four of the seven bedrooms are in the main part of the house, with three more in the self-contained Coach House.
Sensibly, both halves have at least one ground floor bedroom to make things easier for less-mobile visitors. The bedrooms on the first floor are the pick, however, with huge windows and fine views.
Inside the house there are several open-plan areas, including the kitchen and a double-height drawing room which has a wonderful feeling of space — not surprising, considering that there's more than 7,000 sq ft in total.
There are Scandinavian wood burners for heat, smart home gizmos installed and a fresh, modern look.
While the house itself is rather extraordinary, the gardens beyond are just as much of a draw. They were designed by seven-time Chelsea Gold Medal winner Julie Toll, and offer complete privacy for enjoying the changing seasons, as well as places for both reflection and entertaining.
Part of that entertainment is sporting: there is a tennis court, outdoor swimming pool, plus a snooker room for rainy days.
Those with a desire for less-strenuous outdoor activities will be happy to hear that this is a fine place for the green-fingered: there's a sunken fragrance garden (we're not even quite sure what that is, but it sounds marvellous), a parterre with ornamental box and fruit espaliers, and spaces to grow vegetables and soft fruit in an ornamental setting.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
The UK gets its first ‘European stork village’ — and it's in West SussexAlthough the mortality rate among white storks can be up to 90%, the future looks rosy for breeding pairs in southern England.
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeFrom a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
-
If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
-
The sounds of spring and stained glass in an Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in DorsetWith 35 acres, more than 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, Winterfield has it all.
-
An eight-bedroom wonder in East Sussex where the outdoors are an adventureThe interiors of Old Middleton are pretty good too.
-
A lakeside farmhouse on the market in the beautiful heart of PembrokeshireA lake, streams, 15 acres and five bedrooms. Rogershook might have it all.
-
An idyllic countryside home that's light, spacious and comes with a Grade II-listed follyHagg House is a gorgeous family home that just happens to have a miniature castle in the gardens. Annabel Dixon explains more.
-
A historic villa for sale on the Via Nomentana worthy of Rome's rich historyThree floors, lots of balconies, and a private garden in one of Rome's loveliest neighbourhoods.
