Alan Titchmarsh has admitted he felt “uneasy” as he handed over his beloved £3.5 million Hampshire home to new owners after spending decades tending its extensive four-and-a-half-acre gardens.
The 77-year-old gardening icon, who has since moved into a modern five-bedroom luxury home in Surrey, reflected on the emotional decision to sell Manor Farm House in Holybourne, a property he and his wife Alison had cared for since 2002.
The estate was originally listed at £3.95 million before being reduced to £3.5 million, eventually finding a buyer after months on the market. Alan said the process left him feeling conflicted, describing himself as merely a “custodian” of the land.
“You’re only a custodian — you don’t own anything,” he explained, adding that it felt “very unsettling” to leave behind a place he had personally shaped over many years.
Despite the emotional weight of the move, Alan stressed that the decision was practical, influenced by the size of the grounds and the need to downsize as he gets older. He also highlighted that maintaining such a large garden had become increasingly demanding.
The broadcaster has now relocated to a £2.6 million modern property purchased from an Omaze prize winner, describing it as a completely different lifestyle compared to his former Georgian farmhouse.
He also made it clear he would not be discussing financial details, insisting: “Money is nothing to do with anybody else, and I don’t want to be seen as a show-off.”
Alan’s former home, a Grade II-listed Georgian property with carefully maintained gardens, was once listed among his life’s proudest achievements. However, he said the move was also about being closer to family and ensuring a more manageable lifestyle.
The sale also comes amid local controversy over plans for major housing development near his former estate, with residents voicing concerns about traffic, environment, and village character.
Despite speculation linking the timing of his move to the development plans, Alan has repeatedly insisted it was not a deciding factor, saying the transition was simply part of planning for the future.
📌 Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
