Dame Mary Berry's daughter, Belles Berry, has listed her £3.5 million hideaway mansion in Oxfordshire for sale. The property, known as Blenheim Farm, was designed by Belles and her husband in 2020 and has been a venue for family gatherings, including the TV legend's 80th birthday celebration.
A Home with History
Located in the South Oxfordshire countryside near the village of Ewelme, Blenheim Farm sits on 10 acres of land. Originally an alpaca farm, the Berry family first moved into an old bungalow on the site in 2014 before relocating to an on-site barn during the rebuild. The new home was constructed on the footprint of the bungalow.
Two Kitchens and a Library
The property boasts two kitchens, a feature Belles describes as brilliant for entertaining. The primary kitchen is arranged around a central island and includes a 2-metre-long champagne chiller and a grey five-door Aga, a gift from Dame Mary. Antique wooden pews and a dresser sourced from a French monastery add character. The second kitchen houses supplementary appliances.
The library, with a window to the kitchen, contains floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that hold part of Belles' father's literary legacy. Paul Hunnings, her father, had over 5,000 books in his antiquarian shop, and many now reside in this specially built library.
Personal Touches
Belles personally selected the interiors. The media room features wallpaper by Andrew Martin and an original 1970s tan leather sofa. Glass-topped drawered furniture came from her father's bookshop. A separate study, called her 'sanctuary', houses her collection of gardening and cookery books.
Family at the Heart
Dame Mary and her husband live nearby in Henley-on-Thames, just six miles away. Belles hosted her mother's 80th birthday at Blenheim Farm on a 'perfect summer's day'. The rose garden is planted with Dame Mary's favourite roses, Chandos Beauty. Belles recalls picking blackcurrants and gooseberries with her mother, who would return with warm blackcurrant jam by noon.
The grounds include a 60-year-old beech woodland planted with snowdrop flowers from Hedsor House in Buckinghamshire. A swimming pool and tennis court were added during lockdown, which Belles called a 'winner'.
Perfect for Entertaining
Victoria Knight, head of office at Savills in Henley-on-Thames, described the home as 'perfectly suited to family life and entertaining'. She highlighted the floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that frame the countryside views, colourful interiors with Moroccan tiled fountains, and amenities including two kitchens, a swimming pool, tennis court, and games room. The property is tucked away down a quiet tree-lined lane, yet only 15 minutes from Henley.
