Drummers Yard, previously known as Birchens Spring, is one of the U.K.’s most intriguing country houses. Designed in 1938 by Arts and Crafts architect John Campbell, who spent much of his career in Germany, this Grade II-listed property in Buckinghamshire was once featured in Country Life before it fell into disrepair.
The estate gained notoriety when it was purchased in 1960 by legendary British actor Dirk Bogarde, celebrated for his roles in Doctor in the House (1954), The Servant (1963), and The Night Porter (1974). Bogarde completely remodeled Drummers Yard, drawing inspiration from Italian hillside villas and Scottish castles, before selling it two years later to Peter Rogers, producer of the popular Carry On film series, and his wife, Betty Box, who worked on the Doctor series.
In 1997, the property was acquired by its current owners, who have now listed it for £10 million (approximately $13 million) after nearly three decades. The listing by Knight Frank highlights Campbell’s design intention for each room to feature at least two garden views, making the house light and airy with stunning garden vistas. It appeals to both architectural purists and families seeking a comfortable, well-designed home.
Set on 12 wooded acres near Beaconsfield, the house has been modernized by the award-winning Tollgard Design studio. It boasts seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms across 10,000 square feet. The grand entrance hall features a dramatic brick and stone arched ceiling, leading to a sunroom with garden views, a circular formal dining area, a drawing room with a fireplace, and a contemporary Scandinavian-inspired kitchen by Sola. The upper levels house the bedrooms, retaining many period details from the Arts and Crafts movement, including whitened brick arches and a Cornish slate roof.
Additional amenities include a private gym with a sauna and steam room, a two-car garage, a tennis court, and a separate two-bedroom cottage with its own entrance.
