James Bond Q actor Desmond Llewelyn's family home for sale

Whitelands, the long-time family home of the longest-recurring actor of the James Bond franchise, Desmond Llewelyn, is offered for sale.

For 40 years, the actor lived in this detached house situated in Battle in East Sussex (the location of the famous Battle of Hastings)

According to an article in The Standard, Llewelyn had been living in London and bought Whitelands, as the house is known, in 1957. He moved in with his wife, Pamela and two young children.

Llewelyn was a keen gardener, enjoying Whitelands’ 1.5 acres of grounds.

“When he was not at work as an actor, he would always be found digging in the garden or cutting hedges,” Reverend John Duggan, a close friend of Llewelyn, told the BBC in 2000. "He was also a wonderful host and gave wonderful parties.”

Llewelyn and his wife sold Whitelands in 1997, according to Land Registry records, and moved to Osborn House in Bexhill-upon-Sea (pictured below). 

Osborn House, in High Street, Bexhill, the last house of Desmond Llewellyn

Llewelyn passed away after a car crash in 1999, only weeks after the premiere of The World Is Not Enough, the last James Bond movie he appeared in.

About Whitelands

This double-fronted Georgian property provides substantial and well-proportioned accommodation with many period features typical of the period such as high ceilings, large windows and fireplaces.

To the rear of the house, the kitchen/breakfast room has bi-fold doors opening out to the terrace and gardens. There is also a basement with a useful utility room, boot room and wine cellar.

On the first floor, the principal bedroom benefits from a spacious en suite bathroom and walk in wardrobe. There are two further bedrooms and a shower room on this level with two additional en suite bedrooms on the second floor.

In addition to the main house, there is a wonderful detached annexe providing an attractive reception hall, office, double aspect room (currently used as a gym), a bedroom and en suite shower room. On the first floor there is a spacious open plan studio/games room with a bar area.

The house is approached over a private driveway leading to the house and then on to the detached annexe, garage, stables and parking area. The stunning gardens and grounds are laid to lawn and divided into various areas, interspersed with mature trees and shrubs providing privacy.

To the rear of the house there is a large paved terrace leading on to a fantastic entertaining space which includes a kidney-shaped swimming pool, BBQ/dining area and a detached pool house with a sauna, shower and w.c. There is also a vegetable garden with a large greenhouse and in all the property extends to about 1.57 acres.

For enquiries or more information, visit the Knight Frank website.
 

Sources:
The Standard
Sussex Express
Knight Frank
Wikipedia