It may not be a “british country home” but it is a home that was bought by a british royal who left the country… OK, somewhat tenuous but I thought it was such a fascinating story that it was worthy of taking a look at this incredible property in the highly exclusive Montecito district of Santa Barbara, California.
The 14,500sq ft, main house sits on around 7.5 acres of gardens & grounds which include a swimming pool with jacuzzi, tennis court, tea house and children’s cottage. The couple’s new neighbours in the upmarket Montecito district just outside the city, about 150km from Los Angeles, include Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ellen DeGeneres and Ariana Grande.
Purchased by the couple in June, 2020 there is little doubt what drew the couple to this incredible home.
Zillow, a US property website, states that the entrance to the estate “opens onto a wide lane paved with hand-cut Santa Barbara Stone that leads through a grand archway of trees to the main residence. The main house,” which was built in 2003, “includes a library, office, spa with a separate dry and wet sauna, gym, game room, arcade, theater, wine cellar and five-car garage.” The estate has “sweeping lawns, tiered rose gardens, tall Italian cypress trees, blooming lavender [and] century old olive trees”
The incredible backyard features a tiered rose garden, an alfresco terrace and a large swimming pool, flanked by picturesque olive trees and Italian cypress trees. A full-size tennis court and a detached guesthouse are also found across the estate, ideal for Harry & Meghan to hosting family and friends, of they decided to visit one day…
Ideal for keeping two-year-old Archie amused, the extensive property also has a tea house and a children’s cottage, as well as this elaborate play area that sits within the mansion’s beautifully manicured grounds. Lili is going to love playing with her big brother here when she grows up!
Since stepping back from official duties and making America their home, Harry & Meghan have become notoriously private. They have relocated to a beautiful mansion in Montecito, Santa Barbara, where they are raising their two children, Lili and Archie, and continuing to work from home, promoting the good causes that matter to them.
The pair have paid a lot less for the property than a previous owner: in May 2009 it sold for more than $25 million. It was put on the market in 2015 for $34.5 million but failed to sell. It was relisted at the start of this year for $16.975 million, selling to the Sussexes for $2.325 million less than the asking price.
DId you know that I have another blog, check it out by clicking the thumbnail or following the link to www.acountryagent.com
