Driving home

Laverstoke Park in Hampshire—home to retired Formula 1 racing driver Jody Scheckter and family for 29 years—could be the most important estate to reach the market so far this year

- Penny Churchill

TODAY'S COUNTRY LIFE sees the launch onto the market of one of southern England's finest country estates, historic Laverstoke Park in Hampshire, which stands on high ground overlooking the farms and ancient woodlands of the rolling Hampshire Downs, two miles from the village of Overton and close to the source of the River Test, which flows south-westwards through the estate parkland.

The undisputed sale of the year so far is being handled by Crispin Holborow of Savills (07967 555511) and Will Matthews of Knight Frank (07795 238559), who quote a guide price of $58 million for the 1,835-acre estate, either as a whole or in up to four lots. Lot 1a, comprising the immaculate, Grade II*-listed, 11-bedroom Laverstoke Park House, set in 279 acres of Grade II-listed parkland, with three integral flats, an indoor swimming pool, indoor tennis and squash courts, six estate houses and cottages, and 1½ miles of double-bank fishing on the upper reaches of the Test, is on offer at $32m. Lot 1b, Home Farm, at $3m, is a charming, brick-and-flint farmhouse set in two acres of gardens and grounds away from the main house, with an extensive range of traditional farm and estate buildings with lapsed planning consent for conversion to 10 residential dwellings.