Gardening legend Alan Titchmarsh has closed the chapter on over 20 years of memories, selling his stunning £3.5 million Hampshire farmhouse — even as a fiery debate over 156 new homes brews in the village behind it.
The 77-year-old broadcaster and his wife Alison have found a buyer for Manor Farm House in Holybourne, near Alton, a Grade II-listed beauty set on four acres of lovingly designed gardens. Yet while the property promises peace and charm, the surrounding fields are set for dramatic change — sparking anger among locals worried about traffic, flooding, and the village’s character.
Despite the timing, Alan insists the sale is not linked to the development. “We wanted to downsize and be closer to our daughters Polly and Camilla, and our grandchildren,” he said. After years of tending to an organic haven for wildlife, he admits leaving was emotional: “It was a joy to shape these gardens, but the responsibility was becoming overwhelming.”
The couple has now moved to a sleek £2.6 million Surrey home, trading sprawling grounds for family life. Meanwhile, the housing plans, proposed by developer Redbrown, would add 700 extra car journeys per day and include play areas and 40% affordable housing — though many villagers remain unconvinced.
For Alan, the move is a bittersweet milestone: the end of a chapter filled with nature, nostalgia, and community, and the start of a new life closer to family, far from the storm of debate unfolding behind the home he loved.
