Dating back to 1481, Old House in Staplefield, West Sussex, brings together Tudor origins, Georgian additions and later interventions by the photographer, designer and filmmaker Antony Armstrong-Jones, Lord Snowdon. The property was gifted to Snowdon by his uncle, the celebrated stage designer Oliver Messel, before his marriage to Princess Margaret in 1960. During his ownership, the house became a private retreat where artists, actors, designers and members of the royal family gathered away from public life. Guests included Peter Sellers, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Bianca Jagger, Sir John Mills and Issey Miyake.
Photography: courtesy of Blue Book
Photography: courtesy of Blue Book
Photography: courtesy of Blue Book
Photography: courtesy of Blue Book
Photography: courtesy of Blue Book
Snowdon left a lasting mark on the house, introducing bow windows inspired by those on Charles Street in Brighton, and opening up the kitchen beneath concealed skylights. He later converted his photographic darkroom into a library. Upstairs, one bathroom is still lined with newspaper cuttings, photographs and personal mementoes assembled during his ownership, offering an unusually intimate record of the house’s history.
Today, the principal house provides six bedrooms, with additional accommodation in a pool house and further outbuildings, including a garden office, library, traditional gypsy vardo and a folly. The latter has a balcony salvaged from Ascot Racecourse’s Royal Box.
Set within 5.52 acres, the grounds include formal gardens, woodland, a lake created during Snowdon’s ownership and views towards the neighbouring Nymans estate.
The property is being publicly offered for sale for the first time, having previously changed hands through private sales. It is listed for £3.95 million.
