One of Britain's most magnificent stately homes, which played a starring role in a television adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, has been listed for sale at a staggering £45 million. The Edgcote estate, set within 1,700 acres of park and farmland in South Northamptonshire, served as the backdrop for the iconic 1995 BBC drama that catapulted Colin Firth to international fame.
A Historic Setting for a Classic Scene
In one of the most memorable moments of the six-part series, Firth, portraying the aloof and haughty Mr. Darcy, emerged from a lake in a clinging, soaking-wet shirt after an impromptu swim. This scene, filmed on the estate, has become a defining image of the adaptation. The Grade I listed Georgian country pile, which has been on the open market for the first time in over a century, also comes with a substantial stamp duty bill of £5.3 million for the prospective buyer.
Property Features and Layout
The grand six-bedroom property overlooks an 8.6-acre lake fed by the River Cherwell, forming part of its extensive formal gardens. The estate includes 'pleasure grounds' with a tennis court, as well as a diverse residential portfolio of 31 houses, cottages, and flats, including an old rectory. The main house spans approximately 25,908 square feet over four principal floors, arranged around a grand entrance hall and an exceptional suite of reception rooms. Notable features include ornate cornicing, hand-decorated wallpaper, intricately carved fireplaces, and wood panelling.
Flexible Purchase Options
For those seeking a more affordable option, the estate can be split into two lots. One lot, priced at £20 million, includes the house along with 12 properties and 288 acres of parkland. Alternatively, the house can be purchased separately from the majority of the estate, which has historically been used as a farm and racehorse stables. The wider farmland of approximately 1,149 acres centres around Lodge Farm, which operates a traditional crop rotation and participates in sustainable farming incentive schemes.
Equestrian and Agricultural Heritage
The estate boasts a long-established racing heritage, centred on Edgcote racecourse, which was refurbished in 2018 and hosts point-to-point meetings. It includes two professional National Hunt racing yards with gallops, paddocks, and schooling arenas. Additionally, 115 acres of woodland offer potential for shooting, having previously hosted pheasant and partridge shoots, stalking, and biodiversity enhancement.
Historical Significance
Built between 1748 and 1754 for a wealthy London merchant, the estate has a rich history. The land was once owned by Robert the Bruce's grandmother, later passed to Sir Thomas Cromwell, and then to Anne of Cleves, who received it as part of her divorce settlement from Henry VIII. The site was also the location of the Battle of Edgcote in 1469, a decisive conflict during the Wars of the Roses. In 1926, Raymond Courage of the brewing dynasty acquired the estate, and with his son Edward, established Edgcote as an important horse racing establishment. In 2005, the late David Allen, a leisure magnate, quietly purchased the estate. In 2012, the controversial HS2 high-speed rail line was due to cut through the estate, but English Heritage advised moving the line to protect heritage sites, including the ornamental gardens.
Market Appeal
Crispin Holborow of Savills, the estate agent handling the sale, commented: 'The Edgcote Estate represents an exceptional example of a traditional English country estate. Both the house and its setting have evolved gently over centuries, preserving the integrity and character of this classically Georgian property. Today, the estate offers all the key elements associated with an asset of this calibre, combining a mix of residential and agricultural holdings along with diversified income streams from respected racing yards.' The estate's role in Pride and Prejudice is seen as a testament to its Georgian authenticity, with Savills highlighting the open-well mahogany 'great stair' hall as a showpiece adorned with rich panelling and decorative wall mouldings.
