Natasha Kaplinsky's £7 Million Country Estate Listed Amid Divorce

Former news anchor Natasha Kaplinsky's nine-bedroom country estate in East Sussex is on the market for £7 million, following the announcement of her 20-year marriage to investment banker Justin Bower coming to an end. Bower has reportedly already moved out of the sprawling property.

Kaplinsky, 54, and Bower, also 54, purchased the 15th-century farmhouse eight years before moving in, aiming to create a dream family home for their two children. Over 12 years, Kaplinsky transformed the Grade II-listed property, situated on over 200 acres, into a rural retreat. She has described her life there as making her happier than ever and stated she 'wouldn't change it for the world'.

The estate includes a nine-bedroom, eight-bathroom main house, set amidst rolling countryside. The property also features a swimming pool, a tennis court, and two separate two-bedroom dwellings converted from a stable and a granary. Estate agents describe the residence as a rare opportunity for buyers to acquire a traditional country home with modern extensions.

The original farmhouse retains its period features, including inglenook fireplaces and exposed beams, while modern Georgian-style extensions offer new living spaces. These include a first-floor walkway connecting to an entertainment suite with a games room, cinema, and a poker room with a bar. A gym and garage are located on the ground floor beneath the entertainment suite.

The main house features a large entrance hall, living room, drawing room, TV room, dining room, and study. A dedicated dog room with a separate entrance is also noted. The central feature of the home is an open-plan kitchen, breakfast, and dining room, which includes stylish grey cabinets, dual islands, marble countertops, and an AGA cooker. A unique addition is a small, glass-enclosed sweet shop within the kitchen area.

The principal bedroom on the first floor includes an en suite bathroom and a dressing area with a stand-alone bath overlooking the gardens. Four additional bedrooms and another bathroom are also on this floor.

The estate is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty and includes fields, parkland, ancient woodland, gardens, two streams, and seven ponds. A large treehouse, a swimming pool with a pool house and al fresco dining area, and various garden seating areas are also on the grounds. Notably, one of the ponds has its own pontoon, and an open-air bath is hidden behind a wall.

The property listing comes after hints of marital difficulties, including the sale of their French Alps ski chalet for £2.7 million in May. The couple confirmed their split earlier this month, stating, "We can confirm that we have made the joint decision to end our marriage and our focus now is on our children."

Neighbors have expressed sadness at the couple's departure, describing them as friendly fixtures in the community. One local resident noted that the split appears irreconcilable.

Kaplinsky, a former £1 million-a-year newsreader and winner of the first series of Strictly Come Dancing, moved to the countryside with her husband in 2014. She previously worked for the BBC, Sky News, and ITV, and was awarded an OBE in 2017. She currently serves as president of the British Board of Film Classification.