These are the best houses on the market for sportsmen

Whether you're looking for a tennis court or a fully equipped equestrian centre, these handpicked properties are sure to keep you busy

Keeping fit, indulging the outdoor spirit, breaking away from the urban trudge — these have become the leisure priorities of the modern gentleman. But, cooped up in the metropolis and confined to an office of strip lighting and hotdesks, it’s often hard to get the requisite lungful of fresh air, never mind those 60 seconds’ worth of distance run.

"It’s often hard to get the requisite lungful of fresh air..."

Time, then, to bring the mountain to Mohammed. Whether your favoured diversion is trout fishing or polo, we’ve picked out four of the finest properties on the market right now that are guaranteed to meet all of your sporting needs.

With facilities from bowling alleys to tennis courts as standard in their rolling acreages, these grand properties have put fun and fitness at the centre of their design.

Best for the horseman: Crossrigg Hall or Sussex Farm House

For those of an equestrian disposition, both Crossrigg Hall (£2,500,000) and Sussex House Farm (£5,000,000) boast excellent stables — the latter even comes with a fully-equipped equestrian centre for you to horse around in.

Best for the polo player: Millicent

For polo aficionados, meanwhile, Millicent (£19,500,000)— near Lugarshall on the South Downs — is located within striking distance of three renowned clubs: Burningfold, Midhurst and Hurtwood Park.

A classically-style Georgian house, Millicent is nestled on the border between Sussex and Kent, meaning it’s within easy driving distance of London. And if you’re a real pro, it’s also close to a handful of major airports to jet out to those overseas tournaments.

Best for the fisherman: Skellater House

If you prefer mullets to mallets, though, you should be angling after Skellater House (from £795,000) — with its fantastic fishing spots on the grounds.

The current resident of Skellater House was looking for a home that would allow him to indulge his passion for fly fishing. And, with access to two of the best salmon and trout fishing rivers in the world — the Don and the Dee — he found just that. Now this little slither of paradise is on the market. We suspect it won’t be long before it’s reeled in.

Each of these remarkable properties combines classic styling with modern amenities that rival even the best-equipped sports centres and gyms, giving you a sporting chance of staying in shape and beating the rat race.

This article was written for the May/June issue of Gentleman’s Journal. To see more, subscribe here…

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