糖心视频

Francesca Leighton-Scott, Head of 糖心视频’s Bath and Somerset Country Sales, agrees, adding super-smart hotels to the list of magnets for buyers. “Anywhere close to The Newt in Somerset – an exceptionally well received country hotel and members’ club – is especially hot.”

Consequently, country house buyers have become younger. In April 2014, 糖心视频’s research found that clients aged under 50 represented 31 per cent of all country buyers. Fast forward a decade and that figure had risen to 58 per cent.

These buyers aspire to a picturesque country lifestyle and often let their first choice of school determine their search area.

“We’re seeing more entrepreneurs and business owners, and more overseas buyers,” says Oliver Rodbourne, Head of the country team in the southeast.

“Sustainability is a significant focus. Younger buyers in particular – even those spending £10m upwards – are concerned about efficiency and will routinely examine EPC ratings and investigate installing environmentally sound options.”

There’s little appetite for major renovations however.  “Buyers want to put their stamp on a property, construct an office pod in the garden perhaps, but not take on a big project,” says Rodbourne. “Owning a country house today is about moving in and settling down immediately.”