To The Manor Drawn: On the realities of buying a top-tier country pile
There is much more to consider besides maintenance and running costs when acquiring a genuinely top-end country estate or manor house, says Charlie Wells; first-generation ‘country squires’ are often blissfully unaware as to what they could be getting themselves into...
Charlie has over 20 years experience in the property market and has a reputation for discretion, honesty and professionalism. Always acting in the best interest of his clients, he has an uncanny ability to find the “best-in-class” whether it be a village, farm or manor house. Before joining Prime Purchase Charlie set up and ran the country house and farms sales office for an independent firm. He has also worked as a land and sporting agent. A true countryman, he has a full understanding of how the countryside works, and how it will impact on his clients enjoyment of their home. He is a member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
What to read next
What buyers want now: Top town & country buying agents compare notes on post-lockdown demand trends
Two top buying agents - one focused on prime London, and one on prime country houses - reveal what is on their clients' most-wanted lists.
By PrimeResi
‘Next year will see super-prime return with a bang’ & other property market predictions from a top buying agent
Edward Heaton, founder and managing partner of buying agency Heaton & Partners, shares his top property market predictions for the year ahead.
‘Best & final offers is becoming standard’ for top-tier country homes
“Best and final offers have become much more common place over recent months," say property agents in Devon and Cornwall.
By PrimeResi
Companies in this article
Prime PurchaseMost read
New platform opens door to distressed property deals
Exclusive: Receiv-r promises an early heads-up on property and land opps - and already has a big-name brokerage on board.
£37.5mn Banda-designed super-duplex unveiled at The OWO
In Pictures: Top-end studio delivers 3,804 sq ft heritage-inspired residence at luxury Raffles-branded scheme in Whitehall.
Property billionaire swaps Holland Park for Monaco
David Reuben becomes the latest big name to leave the UK, joining a Monaco set now controlling some £77bn of Rich List wealth.
Guardian: Why are London mansions struggling to sell?
LonRes chief says there is some ‘unbelievably good value’ in the capital's prime neighbourhoods - but warns the market has yet to find its floor.
Grand Registry: Surveying the latest big-ticket deals to hit the official record
Land Registry data reveals a telling resale at one of Kensington’s most prestigious schemes, alongside a clutch of eight-figure deals across the capital.
Record transfer window kicks off super-prime rental bonanza
Savills handled more than 20 player and manager relocations over the summer, including a string of deals in Cheshire at more than £30k a month.
London Square owner racks up £1bn-worth of Abu Dhabi sales in a week
International buyers drive bumper sales tally for Aldar across two waterfront launches.
By PrimeResi
RFR brings in super-prime specialist as MD
Former Knight Frank partner joins Chelsea-based buying firm.
Super-prime London scheme lands double win at global branded residence awards
Raffles-branded project takes European and urban titles at inaugural awards programme for booming sector.
Forbes-backed brokerage adds another big name to PCL line-up
Latest Founder Partner brings nearly four decades of top-end agency experience to Martin Bikhit’s new venture.
LATEST ARTICLES
Inside St John’s Wood Square: Sales launch at ‘once-in-a-generation’ super-prime project
Portia Fox-designed show apartment unveiled as long-awaited transformation of historic NW8 barracks site hits the market, with pricing revealed for the first time.
Savills makes Alpine move as agency battle for ski markets heats up
Latest tie-up in Megève follows recent expansion drives by Knight Frank and Douglas Elliman in the French Alps.
Ultra-prime branded Miami scheme breaks ground after $1.7bn sales haul
Swire's biggest luxury residential project to date is on track to complete in 2030.
By PrimeResi
£2mn Cotswolds site comes with consent for 11,000 sq ft ‘energy-positive’ home
In Pictures: The ten-acre plot is 'a dream in the making,' declares Charlie Willis of Forbes Global Properties.
By PrimeResi
Prime London Property Market Snapshot: Week 40, 2026
31% fewer sales were agreed last week than in the same seven-day period last year.
By PrimeResi