Steve Coogan's stunning country house goes up for sale
Comedian Steve Coogan has put his country house near Brighton on the market, with an asking price of £3.25 million.
Seven-bedroom Ovingdean Grange dates from the 17th century, and is packed with history - indeed, it's been described as one of the oldest and most historical residences in Brighton.
There's a story that in the early years of the house Charles II hid in the chimney breast for 24 hours before fleeing to France. He's said to have fathered a child there, in an incident that made its way into literature: William Harrison Ainsworth included the story in his 1857 novel, Ovingdean Grange: A Tale Of The South Downs.
"Over much of its history it has been the Grange's occupant who acted as churchwarden for St. Wulfran's church opposite," say agents Hamptons International.
"The north side, which was the original entrance, is the oldest part with flint walls and stone quoins, similar to those of the church."
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Coogan - aka Alan Partridge - has owned the house since 2011, when he paid £2.45 million. Since then, the place has been comprehensively refurbished.
There are four reception rooms, including a huge drawing room with a marble fireplace, and a pretty orangery overlooks a charming courtyard. There's a lovely inglenook fireplace and exposed brick walls in the country-style kitchen, which also boasts an Aga.
A former dairy houses a games/billiards room, and there's a cinema room in the basement.
If all this isn't enough, there's a separate flint cottage with two bedrooms in the three-quarter acre gardens.
It's not the first time Coogan has tried to sell the house - he put it on the market two years ago for £3.3 million. But he quickly changed his mind and removed it from sale, with the reason rumoured to be his relationship with Downton actress Daisy Lewis. The couple broke up earlier this year, which may be the reason for his new change of heart.
