BBC Pride and Prejudice lakeside manor up for £45m sale

The Edgcote Estate near Banbury has been listed for £45 million as a whole or as £25 million and £20 million in separate lots.

The 18th century country house was built by London merchant Richard Chauncy, whose descendants the Cartwrights owned it until 1926 when it was sold to the Courage family.

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Before that the previous manor had been owned by Henry VIII’s fourth wife Anne of Cleves and was a headquarters during the English Civil War.

Edgcote Estate was used for Netherfield House in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice series (Image: BBC)

However, the home is perhaps most famous as the property used to depict Netherfield House in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.

At the beginning of the series and book Mr Bingley rents Netherfield House, beginning his and his friend Mr Darcy’s acquaintance with the Bennett family which drives the plot.

Edgcote Estate was used for Netherfield House in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice series (Image: BBC)

The property itself has accommodation across four floors extending to almost 26,000 sq ft, including eight bedrooms and five bathrooms.

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The gardens include an 8.6-acre lake fed by the River Cherwell, a kitchen garden, greenhouses, workshop, stores, tennis court, courtyard and historic parkland with a gated drive.

Marketed by Savills, the £45 million property also includes a portfolio of 31 houses, cottages, annexes and flats, including a  Grade II Listed Rectory, traditional Mill House and three farmhouses.

In addition there are equestrian facilities, with two racing yards let to professional trainers, and a ring-fenced agricultural farm which stretches to over 1,100 acres.