Located in the village of Bowerchalke, near Salisbury, enchanting Ebble Thatch was once home to Sir William Golding, author of Lord of the Flies (note the Blue Plaque), who lived here in 1940 and between 1958 and 1985.
It was here that he met his fellow villager, the scientist James Lovelock CH, CBE, FRS. Golding sold the house in 1985 on deciding to move to a Georgian mansion in Cornwall.
With an extensive ground floor and five bedrooms, it’s in need of some modernisation. It also boasts two bathrooms, five reception rooms including a conservatory, a cosy snug and a separate annexe within the cottage's grounds.
The one-bedroom annexe cottage at the end of the garden is more up to date, with underfloor heating and a garden room.
Surrounding both are charming gardens, with extensive lawns, flowerbeds and hedgerows, all flanked by a babbling stream, part of the River Ebble. The garden in The Paper Men was inspired by Golding’s garden at Ebble Thatch. Rick Tucker appears at the end of the novel at the bottom of this garden.
Located on a quiet country lane, Ebble Thatch is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Cranbourne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just nine miles from the cathedral city of Salisbury.
Is it too late to ask Santa for Christmas Cottage?
It'd be idyllic at any time of year, but the aptly-named Christmas Cottage seems particularly enticing at this time of
Credit: Carter Jonas
Harry Potter's childhood home goes up for sale
This irresistibly pretty house in Suffolk is a Grade I-listed wonder in its own right, even before you consider its
An exceptional Queen Anne-style house in the heart of the Blackmore Vale
Chetnole House at Chetnole has delightful grounds running down to the River Wiggle.
-
The life that thrives among the dead: How wildlife finds a home in the graveyards and churchyards of BritainHome to a veritable ‘Noah’s Ark of species’, thanks to never being ploughed, sprayed or fertilised, our churchyards offer a sacred haven for flora and fauna, says Laura Parker.
-
‘What a shame when a dinosaur disappears into the mansion of an oligarch rather than being displayed for all to enjoy’: The ethics of the dinosaur auctionFancy a stegosaurus in your living room? You can buy one at auction. But the latest luxury good is a paleontologist's worst nightmare.
-
The majestic New Forest estate formerly owned by a billionaire adventurer — famous for driving 'the world's fastest kettle' — has come up for saleGreat estates in the unspoilt setting of the New Forest are always a welcome sight on the market, and Newton Park is a wonderful example with a sad story to tell. Anna White tells more.
-
A Hampshire Manor for sale that dates back to the days of Alfred the Great, with the most beautiful staircase we've seen in yearsThe ten bedroom property features an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa complex and stables, and it was restored by the same architect who worked on Downing Street.
-
The new property hotspots where you can have it all: Beautiful houses, great schools and idyllic lifestyleAcross the country people are selling up and heading to the towns where there's no compromise on dream homes, outstanding schooling and the good life, according to analysis from two of Britain's top estate agents. Anna White explains.
-
Where Venice once ruled: The roving Venetians left handsome imprints across the Greek world, from its religion to its rambling villasMatthew Dennison explores the lingering traces of Venice's vanished empire — and the best places to buy where it once stood.
-
A delightful 16th century home with some of Kent's most beautiful gardens has come on to the marketThe Grange puts the 'garden' into the Garden of England.
-
A pristine Scottish island for sale at the price of a garage in FulhamA dot on the map of the west coast of Scotland has come on to the market, where you'll be surrounded by sea, living off grid and be neighbours with the local seal colony.
-
18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country LifeOur look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past week includes Georgian manor houses, charming commutable homes and the grandest home in Newcastle.
-
The gorgeous Somerset home of the designer behind one of Glastonbury's chicest spotsThe Manor in Hinton Blewitt is a glorious Georgian home that ticks every box.
