Believed to date from the 1700s, Southernwood House is marked with a blue plaque to commemorate Field Marshal Lord Ironside, who owned the property from 1937 until his death in 1959. He is also buried nearby.

The house is marked with a blue plaque commemorating Lord Ironside (Image: Savills) Lord Ironside had a distinguished military career spanning both World Wars. At the beginning of the Second World War, he was chief of the imperial general staff defending Calais and freeing up the escape route to Dunkirk.

He was promoted to field marshal in 1940 and commanded the British home defence forces.

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He is also understood to be the inspiration for secret agent Richard Hannay, the main character in John Buchan’s 1915 novel ‘The Thirty-Nine Steps’.

Tom Clayton, of selling agent Savills, described Southernwood House........

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