A Grade II listed Georgian house in Chichester, formerly a frequent country retreat for British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, is on the market for £1,590,000. Eastergate House, located in West Sussex, served as a private escape for Macmillan during the 1950s and 1960s.
During Macmillan's stays, security was notably enhanced, with police cars reportedly lining the nearby Church Lane. The house retains a unique feature believed to be from this era: the bedroom thought to have been used by Macmillan is said to still have its original security door, reinforced with a concealed metal plate.
The property, which dates back to the early 18th century, evolved into its current three-bay flint house form by 1890. Eastergate House was owned in the 1950s and 1960s by Sir Philip and Lady Marie-Louise de Zulueta. Sir Philip served as private secretary to three prime ministers, including Macmillan. It is also rumored that Christine Keeler, a central figure in the Profumo scandal, may have been in hiding at a nearby country house during that period.
The current owners purchased the property in 2009 and are now downsizing as their children have completed university. They described the house as having been a vibrant family home, ideal for entertaining, hosting numerous gatherings over their 16 years of ownership.
Eastergate House offers over 6,000 square feet of living space, including five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and five reception rooms. The property includes an orangery, a butler's pantry, a games room, and extensive grounds spanning 0.8 acres with a walled garden. The reception rooms, which face south, are noted for their natural light, fireplaces, fitted bookcases, and window bays. The kitchen features a Rangemaster cooker and retains the original bell semaphore.
Mark Astley, director at estate agency Jackson-Stops, highlighted the property's unusual provenance and tangible history. He noted that while the political connections are notable, the house is primarily a substantial family home with character and flexible space for modern living.