Main image: Jess Simpson
What happened at the very top-end of the country house market in 2020?
The super-prime country estate market saw a resurgence of UK property buyers this year, and renewed appetite for the traditional residential estate, reports Jess Simpson...

Jess Simpson is a qualified chartered surveyor with nearly two decades of experience in the prime country market. Having worked for two of the national agencies in this sector for many years, and latterly running an associated buying consultancy business, she left to set up a truly independent offering, completely dedicated to the needs and interests of her clients. Her track record in the Rural Estates and Country House sector is unrivalled, specialising in the acquisition of Country Houses, Estates, and Commercial Farmland in England.
Bumper year for top-end land and estates market as HNWI hedge their bets against inflation
£150m worth of prime rural estates have already been sold in 2018, notes buying agent Jess Simpson, with grand affairs in the south of England commanding the greatest premiums...
By Jess Simpson
On the prime country market’s ‘dead cat bounce’
Atrocious weather, coronvirus, and the impending Budget have trampled on any green shoots, reports buying agent Jess Simpson...
By Jess Simpson
The prime country house market remains muted, but there are signs of pent-up demand forming
Knight Frank reports the highest number of country house buyer enquiries in five years, but price growth and stock levels are not moving
By PrimeResi
Companies in this article
Jess Simpson Property SearchMost read
Former embassy sold in Mayfair’s biggest house deal of 2025
‘Landmark’ sale of £22mn Park Street mansion shows resilience of PCL market, say agents.
In Pictures: ‘One of the finest homes in South West London’ hits the market at £25mn
Agents expect 17,000+ sq ft trophy home in Fulham to attract strong interest from PCL-based buyers seeking scale & seclusion.
In Pictures: Vast Georgian-style mansion in Kensington seeks £35mn
'This really is the house which has everything,' says sales agency.
Russell Simpson builds Mayfair team
Beau McCarty has joined Hermione Russell's recently-opened office.
By PrimeResi
St John’s Wood villa with supermodel provenance returns to agency’s books after 30 years
Arlington Residential brings Greville Road property back to market at just under £6mn - three decades after first selling it for under £800k.
Charles Curran: Forget the hype, this is reality
Boutique estate agency boss (and former private equity banker) rails against misplaced optimism - calling for honesty, realism and tough love in today’s Prime Central London market.
Green light for ‘landmark’ redevelopment scheme in Chelsea
Transformation of one of the neighbourhood's 'most iconic sites' is due to deliver 24 luxury homes and a flagship retail space.
Historic St James’s building sold after luxury redevelopment
Obbard's corking rental scheme for wine merchant Berry Bros resulted in 'a very significant uplift' in value.
By PrimeResi
Is the Prime London sales market turning a corner?
Latest LonRes data shows strong pick-up in under offer numbers and stabilising values - along with signs of a resurgence at the very top-end
Brokerage recruits ex-Savills department head
Sam Pagett will be covering the Cheltenham patch as a Moveli broker.
LATEST ARTICLES
Landlord & tenant price expectations ‘widen’ as policy change looms
Landlords are 'assessing options' ahead of the Rental Reform Bill becoming law, says Savills.
By PrimeResi
Weekly Showcase: Ten featured prime resi listings
PrimeResi's regular stock check, powered by LonRes.
Elle ramps up branded resi expansion with two new launches
Fashion brand's double launch in Brazil follows a debut residential project in Miami and a second scheme in Dubai.
By PrimeResi
Hybrid agents gain ground in the £1mn+ market
TwentyEA flags 'a notable changing of the guard' in the estate agency arena, as a broker platform posts dramatic growth.
By PrimeResi
Ultra-luxe Dubai mansion sold in region’s latest ‘benchmark’ deal
Super-rich buyer splashes out on AED 150mn super-home in Dubai Hills Estate