Here's a remarkable property listing. The famous estate featured in the 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice has been put on the market. Behind the rolling Northamptonshire countryside lies a manor house with more than a thousand years of history.
If you're a fan of Jane Austen—and Pride and Prejudice in particular—you've almost certainly watched (and rewatched) the beloved 1995 BBC adaptation. Jennifer Ehle delivers a spirited and independent Elizabeth Bennet, while Colin Firth's portrayal of Mr Darcy remains iconic, thanks in no small part to the unforgettable lake scene.
At the heart of this celebrated romance stands Edgcote House, better known to fans as Netherfield Park. This exceptional Northamptonshire estate has recently been listed for sale with an asking price of £45 million. Distinguished by its elegant Georgian architecture and set within almost 1,700 acres of parkland, the property offers its future owner more than a millennium of history, as well as one of the most iconic filming locations in British television.
Netherfield Park brought to life
Edgcote House served as one of the principal filming locations for the BBC's 1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. The Grade I listed Georgian mansion—recognised as a building of exceptional architectural and historic interest—stood in for Netherfield Park, the country house rented by Mr Bingley and one of the adaptation's most memorable settings.
In Joe Wright's 2005 film adaptation, Basildon Park was chosen to portray the same residence.
A thousand years of history
Being a filming location for one of the finest adaptations of a Jane Austen novel would be enough to make most properties noteworthy, but Edgcote House's history stretches far beyond the world of film and television.
Its origins date back to the aftermath of the Norman Conquest, when the estate was granted to Geoffrey de Mowbray in 1066. Over the centuries, it passed through the hands of several distinguished families, including the Bruces—relatives of Robert the Bruce—before reverting to the Crown in the fourteenth century.
In 1469, the estate was also the site of the Battle of Edgcote, one of the pivotal engagements of the Wars of the Roses.
Henry VIII later granted the property to Anne of Cleves following their divorce, before the estate underwent extensive redevelopment during the eighteenth century. Since 1546, it has been closely associated with the Chauncy family, while in the twentieth century it became a renowned equestrian centre. The present mansion itself was built between 1748 and 1754.
An exceptional country estate
Covering approximately 1,700 acres (around 688 hectares), the estate comprises an impressive collection of buildings and facilities. Alongside the Georgian mansion are landscaped parkland, a lake, 31 houses, several cottages, three farms, a rectory, a traditional mill, extensive equestrian facilities, and even a private racecourse.
The main house extends across four floors, offering a total of 2,414 square metres (approximately 26,000 square feet) of accommodation, including:
- Six reception rooms
- Eight bedrooms
- Five bathrooms on the first floor
- Additional rooms on the second floor
- A further reception room
- Office space
- Cellars
Photographs released by estate agents Savills showcase a magnificent entrance hall featuring an impressive mahogany staircase, beautifully appointed drawing rooms, an elegant mahogany-panelled dining room, and a billiards room.
The house enjoys sweeping views across parkland designed in the tradition of the English landscape movement, inspired in part by the work of Capability Brown. The result is a magnificent setting that evokes the elegance and grandeur of nineteenth-century England.
Are you a fan of Jane Austen’s world? You might like these articles:
- If you loved Pride and Prejudice, these 7 cult novels offer the same romantic atmosphere (they’re perfect beach reads for this summer!)
- Fans of Jane Austen will love this period drama starring Gwyneth Paltrow, inspired by Emma (it transports us to the heart of Georgian England)
- This Jane Austen-inspired series is set in 1803, six years after Pride and Prejudice, blending a murder mystery with high society balls
