The couple lived at The Malthouse at Ashurst near Steyning for more than 60 years and their family put the property on the market last year with an asking price of £1,750,000 through London estate agents TLC.
The property did not sell and now, as the Olivier Awards celebrate their 50th anniversary, offers are being invited in excess of £1,500,000 for the seven-bedroom property nestled in the rolling hills of the South Downs.
Sir Larry and Dame Joan considered The Malthouse their secret escape far away from the madding crowds of London’s West End and Hollywood.
Set within four and a half acres, the property has three reception rooms, two kitchens and five bathrooms, along with the seven bedrooms, as well as an indoor swimming pool and tennis court.
Favourite rooms for the family include a cosy snug dining room with beautiful dark beamed panelling and a roaring fireplace. Many a theatrical dinner party was hosted there creating countless treasured memories.
In 2017, Dames Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Eileen Atkins and Joan Plowright herself, filmed Roger Michells’ charming documentary Nothing Like A Dame in the house.
The view from upstairs at ‘The View’, a first floor master bedroom, is a showstopper of a space. There are also several outbuildings, including a self contained yoga/art studio, industrial size utility room and an indoor swimming pool in which Sir Larry loved to do lengths while Dame Joan loved to sing there.
The house has undergone staggered upgrades – both kitchens have been modernised and all windows are well insulated with state of the art double glazing. There is a solar powered system already installed which provides power to around three quarters of the property.
9. The Malthouse
Two of the most revered actors of all time: Dame Joan Plowright and Sir Laurence Oliver Photo: Contributed