Film star connection for quaint cottage

Shepherds Cottage, Haslemere

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton once stayed overnight in the delightful Shepherds Cottage, a picturesque three bedroom cottage which has just come onto the market with Henry Adams in Haslemere.

According to owners Chris and Fiona Stanton, the famous couple are believed to have visited when the cottage was owned by the successful character actor Alan Webb, who starred with them in Oscar nominated film The Taming of The Shrew back in 1967.

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“When we bought the house six years ago the agent advised us that it was once owned by a film star and that Liz Taylor and Richard Burton once slept in the guest bedroom,” said Fiona. “They would have looked out of the lovely bay window to the wonderful views across the roof tops towards the Devil’s Punch Bowl at Hindhead and the hills around the Hog’s Back in the distance.”

Shepherds Cottage sits at the top of the road down to Chichester, on the edge of the South Downs National Park so there are some scenic long walks as well as the superb views. It’s also within walking distance of Haslemere station, from where Chris catches one of the four trains an hour to London with a journey time of around 50 minutes.

“When you come home again the cottage has a warmth, a very homely feel - others have noticed it too,” said Fiona. “It’s really quite quirky with beams upstairs and down and original 17th Century timbers. There is all the style and character of the period and the extension has added great practicality.”

Fiona and Chris fell in love with Shepherds Cottage as soon as they stepped over the threshold. Shortly after moving in they turned their attention to the garden, restoring it to its English roots.

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“It is like a secret garden which we’ve tamed back. We planted apple and pear trees, wild honeysuckle and hawthorn, to create a traditional English country garden,” Fiona explained.

“The time we’ve lived here has been wonderful,” she added. “I’ve always thought it would be ideal for a writer or someone artistic, or it could make a lovely second home.”

Shepherds Cottage is now on the market with Henry Adams of Haslemere priced at £650,000.