Beloved British television gardener Alan Titchmarsh has announced he is downsizing from his sprawling £4 million Hampshire home, candidly admitting his age is a factor in the decision to seek a more manageable property.
A Wrench After Two Decades of Care
The 76-year-old horticulturalist and his wife Alison have placed their Grade II-listed Georgian manor, Manor Farm House in Holybourne, near Alton, on the market for a guide price of £3.95 million. The couple purchased the historic property, which dates back to 1690, in 2002 and have carried out significant renovations over their 23-year tenure.
In a heartfelt piece for BBC Gardener's World, Titchmarsh explained the emotional difficulty of the move. He described pouring his "heart and soul" into restoring the old house and creating its extensive four-acre garden, making the decision to leave a significant "wrench."
Planning for a Long and Fulfilling Future
The primary driver for the move is a pragmatic look at the future. Titchmarsh stated that while he feels young at heart, he is conscious "of being knocking on a bit" and wants to relocate before the substantial grounds become "overwhelming" to maintain.
"Looking after four acres and a Grade II-listed house has been - and still is - a treat beyond measure," he wrote, "but the day will come when it starts to be overwhelming and I'd rather move on to fresh pastures before that becomes the case." He was quick to clarify that this is not retirement but a "consolidation."
A New Modern Home and Horticultural Challenge
The new property, found by his daughters, offers a "complete contrast" to his current home. It is described as a long, low, and modern house set within one and a half acres of mostly woodland.
This new space presents an exciting opportunity for the gardening expert. The plot is filled with rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and pieris, allowing Titchmarsh to grow rhododendrons for the first time in over 50 years. The move also brings the couple closer to their daughters and grandchildren.
Titchmarsh expressed initial apprehension but said it was replaced by excitement once he viewed the move as a "new challenge - a challenge that was do-able in the long term." He acknowledged he will miss his old garden but believes it is time for a new owner to make their own mark on the land, stating that gardens are "living, breathing, developing things that never stand still."
