For collectors with a keen eye on mid-20th-century politicians comes an opportunity to own this coat and hat that once belonged to Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden. The price? £1.5 million.
If that seems a little steep, it’s worth knowing that the lot also includes a six-bedroom home set in some 28 acres of landscaped gardens and parkland, about 12 miles from Darlington.
Park House, which dates from the late 17th century, belonged to Eden’s mother and is set around a central courtyard.
The main house to the eastern and southern sides of that courtyard is a large, traditional country house of 5210sq ft.
The original Georgian property has more modern additions, with a contemporary south wing that is ideally placed to frame distant views of the formal gardens beyond.
The main house offers five reception rooms and five bathrooms, while the cottage — at the north-eastern corner — has two more bedrooms, and could be used as a granny flat, staff accommodation or a holiday let. As well as its own front door, it even has a separate drive.
Stretching out from the western side of the courtyard are the outbuildings, which include workshops and — in a touch which will delight many potential buyers — a series of garages with room for seven cars. At last your dreams of putting together a vintage car collection can come true.
Alternatively, the outbuildings could very easily be used instead as stables — though given the space on offer (both indoor and outdoor) those two options are just the start of the possibilities.
All in all, there's nearly 10,000 sq ft of space on offer, while those extensive grounds and gardens include formal areas, landscaped parkland, woodland and paddocks.
The finishing touch? The house is truly secluded and private accessed via a long driveway that winds its way through the grounds. In fact when we looked it up on the map, we thought the coordinates were wrong since there were, at the default zoom level, no roads to be seen. The house is half-way between Darlington and Durham (both roughly 12 miles), while Bishop Auckland is the nearest town. There are also famed day trip spots such as Barnard Castle not far away.
‘One of Durham’s finest houses’ comes to the market
Broomshiels Hall is classic Georgian country house set within extensive gardens.
A guide to the native cattle breeds of Britain, from Aberdeen Angus to Jerseys
How many of these native cattle breeds would you recognise from travelling through the British countryside or from the butcher’s
-
How to disconnect from reality and feel like a new person in under 72 hoursOur round-up of the best British retreats that work wellness wonders in under 72 hours.
-
Evenley Wood Garden: 'I didn't know a daffodil from a daisy! But being middle-aged, ignorant and obstinate, I persisted'When Nicola Taylor took on her plantsman father’s flower-filled woodland, she knew more about horses than trees, but, as Tiffany Daneff discovers, that hasn’t stopped her from making a great success of the garden. Photographs by Clive Nichols.
-
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.
-
Eight bedrooms of unlisted Edwardian elegance with sweeping views of SomersetAshton House sits near the market town of Chard and comes with a wealth of amenities both inside and out.
-
A waterside cottage in Devon with a private quay, idyllic views and the prettiest summerhouse we've seen in yearsRight beside the picturesque Yealm Estuary, No 1 Noss Mayo is an idyllic home that feels like an escape from the world. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
-
This elegant Greek villa offers would-be buyers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live in the shadow of the AcropolisAthenian Legacy consists of two houses in walking —and almost touching — distance of one of the world’s most famous and precious landmarks.
