ABOUT USMoving, moved forward

We set up The Country House Department because we felt the traditional estate agency model was selling some exceptional properties short. We know what matters when you’re moving and we’re determined to move things forward.

With us, you’ll deal exclusively with professionals who have years of experience selling the finest country homes. We’ll bring you deep local knowledge and immersive property presentation, to showcase the world beyond your walls. Better still, we’ll do all this without resorting to the opaque commission model that treats sellers unfairly.

MEET OUR FOUNDERSAndrew Russell
and Ben Bentley

We are country home specialists with years of experience selling houses in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and The Cotswolds. Both senior property professionals, we met whilst working for one of the country’s leading national estate agents, where we discovered that we shared similar ideas on the service that sellers should receive.

Our emphasis is on client care and a proactive approach. Without the high cost of high street offices, we can choose to focus on fewer properties and to spend more time on the things that matter. On you, on your buyers and on getting your home noticed. In this way, we can finally do justice to the finest country homes.

ABOUT USMeet the team

Ben is a country house specialist, based in the Cotswolds, where he has operated for a number of years having previously worked for Strutt & Parker. Here, he focuses on selling properties across some of the most desirable addresses in the region. In 2020, Ben co-founded The Country House Department with Andrew Russell.

vCard
CO-FOUNDER

Ben Bentley

07956 107912

ben@thecountryhousedepartment.com

Andrew is based in Oxfordshire, having previously worked in Mayfair, where he handled the sale of properties across the home counties for Strutt & Parker. In 2017, he moved to Oxfordshire with his young family and oversees the sale of some of the most beautiful homes in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. In 2020, Andrew co-founded The Country House Department with Ben Bentley.

vCard
CO-FOUNDER

Andrew Russell

07456 609040

andrew@thecountryhousedepartment.com

Nick is an immensely experienced agent, having formerly worked for Strutt & Parker and Knight Frank. Focussed on  West Berkshire, North East Wiltshire, North Hampshire & South Oxfordshire, Nick prides himself on excellent client care and has a passion for dealing with the top-end of the market.

vCard
REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Nick Loweth

07437 805716

nick@countryhousedepartment.com

Ian is a highly experienced prime country house specialist, having worked in the Cotswolds and Wiltshire for a number years for Butler Sherborn and Strutt & Parker. Ian grew up and was educated in Wiltshire before moving to the Cotswolds in 2004 after a career as an Officer in the British Army. Ian prides himself on being able to adapt to the challenges every sale poses.

vCard
REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Ian Daniels

07920 762937

ian@thecountryhousedepartment.com

Liz is a highly experienced agent having managed and owned the consortium/franchise for Jackson-Stops in Newbury for 15 years before taking on the role of Head of Residential for Savills in Newbury. Liz is driven by her passion for client care and goes the extra mile to achieve the best possible results for her clients. 

vCard
REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Liz McLean

07786 739499

liz@thecountryhousedepartment.com

Annabel has over 14 years experience in property working for leading International agencies, most recently Savills in Sunningdale. She has a wealth of knowledge in both Lettings and Sales in prime central London and more recently in East Berkshire and Surrey. Annabel prides herself on maintaining exceptional client relationships and delivering the best possible service.

Associate Director

Annabel Dight

07880 636 968

annabel@thecountryhousedepartment.com

Having grown up Oxfordshire, Nikki Hemsley holds an especially detailed knowledge of the area. Nikki has a breadth of experience and started her career with Knight Frank, before moving back to Oxfordshire in 2018 to head up Village and Rural Country Sales across the county for WEST – The Property Consultancy. Nikki is a wholly different property professional, who exudes drive, care, with an impressive attention to detail for her clients.

Associate Director

Nikki Hemsley

07799588754

nikki@thecountryhousedepartment.com

Holly is a dedicated property professional with over 10 years experience, having worked for both a top house builder and global estate agency, JLL. While in London she worked on many exclusive prime developments and now, living in Oxfordshire with her young family, she is pursuing her passion for country houses.

vCard
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Holly Murray

01865 338 300

holly@thecountryhousedepartment.com

Billy is our Creative Director and responsible for all creative output. Having built a fantastic reputation as one of the leading photographers in the industry, Billy is a personable and highly effective image maker, with meticulous attention to detail and a passion for presenting properties in the way they deserve.

vCard
CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Billy Amey

07387 087602

billy@thecountryhousedepartment.com

vCard
OPERATIONS MANAGER

Minna Henderson

01865 338 300

minna@thecountryhousedepartment.com

OUR VALUESWhat we stand for

1.

Get undivided attention for you and your property

We spend more energy on what matters. You won’t find The Country House Department on the high street, so you won’t suffer traditional inefficiencies. Instead, you’ll deal exclusively with our Founders and Regional Directors.

2.

A more captivating way of moving…

Bring your home to life with virtual tours, drone footage, lifestyle photography and immersive social content. With The Country House Department, you’ll work with experts who know your area intimately and can give buyers the full experience.

3.

A fairer fee for the fairest homes

Commission is a dark art. Two quotes are rarely the same and it’s impossible to tell exactly what you’re getting for your investment. So, The Country House Department uses a simple, transparent fee structure instead. No double standards, no hidden costs.

OUR AREASSelected expertise

The Country House Department has a depth of expertise in some of the UK’s foremost prime property markets. This nuanced local understanding informs our valuations and property presentation

Oxfordshire

From the riverside glamour of Henley in the South to Banbury’s glorious golden sandstone in the North and the dreaming spires of Oxford in between, Oxfordshire is a classic English county with a wealth of beautiful country homes. With much of the county easily commutable to London, there are hundreds of picture-perfect country villages to choose from. You never have to look far for a good pub and the county lays claim to some of the country’s finest restaurants and retreats, including Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat’Saison and the renowned Soho Farmhouse. Lovers of the outdoors are spoilt for choice with the Cotswolds, Chilterns and North Wessex Downs AONBs and magical walking along the banks of the Thames.

Cotswolds

Famous for its quintessential market towns and honey-coloured cottages, the rolling Cotswolds are bursting with character and charm. Here you’ll find a whole host of award-winning hotels, pubs and world-class restaurants as well as some of the country’s most unique property. Lose yourself amongst a constellation of picturesque villages – with a variety of quirky and independent shops, restaurants and farmers markets – or soak up the amazing atmosphere of one of the many sporting events, such as horse racing at Cheltenham or eventing at Badminton, to name just two.

Berkshire

The Royal County of Berkshire is the jewel in the home counties crown. It’s no surprise that a county fit for a Monarch is one of the most attractive locations for those making the move out of London, with a wealth of exceptional schools and fast commuter links to the capital. There’s no shortage of leisure activities either, with racing at Windsor, Ascot and Newbury as well as polo at The Guards Polo Club, Cowarth Park and The Royal Berkshire Polo Club. Fine dining is a particular highlight and Bray is the county’s worthy epicentre, with the Roux Brothers’ Waterside Inn and Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck and The Hind’s Head.

Hampshire

For sheer variety, few counties rival Hampshire. Here, attractive countryside, vibrant port cities and excellent commuting hubs live side-by-side. At Hampshire’s historic heart lies England’s leafy ancient capital – and supposed seat of King Arthur’s round table – Winchester. From here, two National Parks offer strikingly different propositions, with the chalky trails of the South Downs lifting Eastwards and The New Forest to theWest, offering acres of enchanting scenery and wildlife. Hampshire’s coastline offers another treasure trove of beautiful country homes in standout locations. Lymington – on which the international sailing fraternity descends for CowesWeek – is a classic case-in-point, with its Georgian centre offering smart shopping and a thriving food scene.

Wiltshire

Home to iconic manors, storied independent schools and a WorldHeritage landscape (that includes Stonehenge and the Avebury Circle), Wiltshire is a setting with a sense of the historic. Little wonder, then, that it boasts so many characterful country homes and period properties. The county is bisected by the Kennet and Avon Canal – where stretches of picturesque waterside are punctuated by charming market towns like Marlborough and Devizes. To the North lie the Wiltshire Cotswolds, and small villages no strangers to the big screen.Whilst to the south, Salisbury and the Cranborne Chase AONB provide lush backdrops for broad highstreets, welcoming pubs and great independent shopping.Wiltshire homes are perfectly poised; you’ll be in London in under two hours but within striking distance of the Southwest coast.