The Old House, a six-bedroom estate in West Sussex that once served as Princess Margaret's secret country retreat, has been listed for sale at £3.95 million. The property, dating back to 1481, was gifted to Lord Snowdon by his uncle, artist Oliver Messel, shortly before his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II's younger sister in 1960.
Historic Property Blends Tudor and Georgian Architecture
The 5,750-square-foot residence features original fireplaces, exposed timber beams, and elegant Georgian panelling. A double reception room offers views over the 5.5-acre grounds, while an Aga-equipped kitchen opens onto terraces. The estate also includes a pool house with guest accommodations, a library in Snowdon's former darkroom, a man-made lake with an island pavilion, and formal garden rooms.
Star-Studded Weekends and Royal History
By the mid-1960s, the estate became a bohemian haven for Hollywood royalty, including Peter Sellers, Bianca Jagger, Dame Margot Fonteyn, and Edna O'Brien. The property later inspired an episode in season three of Netflix's The Crown. One of Snowdon's quirky design choices remains intact: an upstairs bathroom covered in vintage newspaper clippings, royal gossip, and family photographs.
First Public Listing in Decades
Lord Snowdon sold the property privately in 2003, and the current owners purchased it off-market in 2005. This marks the first time the estate has been openly listed on the public market. Theo James-Wright, director at Blue Book Agency, said: "There are country houses and then there are houses that become part of the national story. The Old House falls firmly into the latter category. What Lord Snowdon created here was not simply a private home but an extraordinary creative retreat."
Royal Legacy and Divorce
Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon married in 1960 and divorced in 1978. They had two children, David and Sarah. Margaret died in 2002 at age 71 after a series of strokes. Snowdon died in January 2017 at age 86.
