And it’s a good buy from him: Historic farmhouse that Ronnie Corbett bought from one of the Great Train Robbers is for sale for £2million

• The East Sussex house was bought by Ronnie Corbett from a Great Train Robber

A historic farmhouse that once belonged to Ronnie Corbett has gone on sale for £1,995,000.

The late comedian inadvertently bought 17th century Pyes Farm in Crowhurst, East Sussex, from one of the Great Train Robbers in the 1970s.

Corbett was reported to have purchased the Grade II listed property from a company who, unbeknownst to him, was connected to Danny Pembroke, unmasked in 2019 as one of the Great Train Robbers.

During his time at Pyes Farm, the diminutive Scottish entertainer became a popular local personality in the Crowhurst area.

Locals remember him stopping to chat and joke and he also raised thousands of pounds for local charities, including contributing artworks to a sale for a local hospice.

Ronnie Corbett inadvertently bought 17th century Pyes Farm in Crowhurst, East Sussex, from one of the Great Train Robbers in the 1970s

Ronnie Corbett, whose Two Ronnies TV partnership with Ronnie Barker was regularly watched by 18 million viewers, bought the house in the 1970s

Danny Pembroke was unmasked in 2019 as one of the Great Train robbers

Corbett died in 2016. His widow Anne (pictured together) died aged 90 earlier this month

The property boasts a rustic living room with a range and wooden beans

The farmhouse’s quaint charms extend to the open plan kitchen, which combines tradition with modern living

The kitchen includes a breakfast bar, elegant granite worktops and wooden beams 

Outside, the property has a host of outbuildings including three period former farm buildings surrounding a heated swimming pool

A summerhouse pavilion makes a perfect spot for al fresco dining, overlooking the sumptuous garden

These buildings include a beautiful Grade II listed Sussex barn, a workshop with adjacent al-fresco dining area and a games room with a fully appointed kitchen

A large reception room adjoins a spacious library at the front of the property

Two of the bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms while the principal bedroom also has a walk-in-wardrobe

The property includes a family bathroom and three ensuite bathrooms, while on the second floor is a further bedroom with ensuite bathroom

The property’s current owners ‘have absolutely loved living there, especially with all its history with Ronnie Corbett’

The house is approached by a private drive leading to a large gravel driveway with ample parking for several cars and a triple bay timber framed car port

A fifth double bedroom with an ensuite bathroom is accessed via a separate staircase 

READ MORE: THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBER WHO FLED TO AMERICA AND DIED PEACEFULLY IN 2015 

The beloved comedian, whose Two Ronnies TV partnership with Ronnie Barker was regularly watched by 18 million viewers, died in 2016. His widow, Anne, died aged 90 earlier this month.

Pyes Farm is now on the market and is being sold with two AirBnb rental properties and 1.4 acres of land.

The house has an entrance hall, dining room, kitchen, sitting room, study and utility room on the ground floor. There are plenty of original features, from beams to inglenook fireplaces.

Upstairs there are four good-sized bedrooms and two bathrooms on the first floor.

There is also a secret door leading to a walk-in wardrobe and dressing room.. A snug and another bedroom with an en suite are on the top floor.

Outside there are two separate annexes, providing another three bedrooms, which have their own driveway and off-road parking. Further outbuildings are used for storage and a large workshop.

The garden has a natural pond and beautiful countryside views.

Rod Payne, of Fine & Country, who is handling the property’s sale, said: ‘The farmhouse was a warm family home which belonged to a retired couple who had spent a substantial sum on renovations, including the addition of a new roof.

On the second floor there is a sixth double bedroom with a large ensuite bathroom

A second large reception room features a wide range and low ceiling beams

The property includes a wood-panelled cinema room near its front entrance

The building is understood to date to around 1650 with later additions in the 18th century and most recently in 2013

These buildings include a beautiful Grade II listed Sussex barn, a workshop with adjacent al-fresco dining area and a games room with a fully appointed kitchen

A charming pavilion offers a romantic spot in the luxurious gardens of the house

A path leads you through the pretty front garden to the front door and on entering the house you arrive in a central hallway

The gardens are a particular feature of the property are made up of several distinct areas framed by stone walls and hedging

A small greenhouse is one of several outbuildings in the property’s extensive grounds

The property includes more than 4,300 feet of internal space, is set over four floors, and consists of, on the ground floor, a kitchen/dining room, reception room, cinema room, study, library, utility room and cloakroom

‘They have absolutely loved living there, especially with all its history with Ronnie Corbett. But they have decided that now is the right time to downsize and hopefully see another family enjoy everything this house has to offer.

‘I think it would also work as a multi-generational family residence because of the annexes. They would suit a young couple or older people.’

The property listing states: ‘This stunning property benefits from a large Sussex barn, triple car port, swimming pool, games room, al-fresco dining area, and further outbuildings.

‘[It] is in a convenient yet private position in Ninfield with stunning views across the surrounding countryside to Beachy Head.

‘Understood to date to around 1650 with later additions in the 18th century and most recently in 2013, the house was built by the King Samson family as part of a 100 acre farm. 

‘The property passed through the family and was eventually inherited by Giles Gilbert Scott in around 1880, famed for his work on Liverpool Cathedral, Battersea Power Station, Tate Modern and the iconic British red telephone box.’

For more information, see the property listing here. 

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