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    English TV Chef Fanny Cradock’s Former U.K. Home Lists for $6.6 Million

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    Before Mary Berry and Prue Leith, there was Fanny Cradock… 

    The original grande dame of English cookery television, Cradock swept onto screens in the 1950s with theatrical flair. Draped in pearls and shoulder pads, she transformed the British kitchen into a stage—and her home into something of a set. That home, the Dower House, a Grade II-listed Georgian residence tucked into the lush edge of The Grove in Hertfordshire, is now making its return to the market for £5 million (or $6.6 million) with Knight Frank and Savills.  

    Dating back to the late 17th and 18th centuries, Dower House is no ordinary period property. In fact, it has quite a storied provenance. Cradock lived here during the height of her television fame, and Romantic composer Frederick Delius occupied it decades prior. And it was from this very kitchen that Cradock broadcast her BBC program. The kitchen remains green, as a nod to its iconic past, but the infamous 1970s tiles are gone.  

    RELATED: Herbert Hoover’s ‘White House’ in the U.K. Just Listed for $2.5 Million

    Bay windows in the kitchen offer scenic views of the mill stream.

    Ed Kingsford Photography; Knight Frank/Savills

    The home itself was extensively updated by financier David Cowham in 2013, including new oak floors and a lavish library, The Times reported. Current owner Christopher Mackenzie has since invested over $1 million, adding security gates, air conditioning, and a separate cottage, while enhancing the grounds with maples, a golden birch, and cherry trees. 

    Today, the almost 5,200-square-foot home comprises seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, and a suite of reception rooms. Antique French oak flooring, handcrafted cabinetry, and walnut paneling by David Salmon of Arthur Brett & Sons lend an understated sense of grandeur. The principal suite overlooks the mill stream, with a dressing room and spa-like en suite; guest suites, including one entirely refurbished in 2024, provide ample space for entertaining on a Cradock scale. 

    RELATED: Inside a $35 Million Ultra-Modern Country Estate Near Windsor Castle

    There are antique French oak floors throughout, along with several brick fireplaces.

    Ed Kingsford Photography; Knight Frank/Savills

    Beyond the interior lies over two acres of grounds bordered by the River Gade. A wooden bridge crosses the mill stream to a secondary lawn, while outbuildings—including a newly appointed studio annex, wine room, and gardener’s office—underscore the estate’s elegance.

    “Wonderfully located in a peaceful rural setting, despite being just 17 minutes from London Euston by train, the Dower House features beautiful riverside gardens with hundreds of bulbs planted by the current owner that provide vibrant color in spring and summer,” says Edward Welton, partner in the country department North Thames and Chilterns team. “This exceptional family home presents a unique opportunity to live in a wonderful location.” 

    Click here to see more photos of the U.K. estate. 

    Ed Kingsford Photography; Knight Frank/Savills

    Authors

    Abby Montanez

    Abigail Montanez is a staff writer at Robb Report. She has worked in both print and digital publishing for over half a decade, covering everything from real estate, entertainment, dining, travel to…

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      in Luxury

      Bobby Flay’s Vacation Home in Upstate New York Just Hit the Market for $3.3 Million

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       Bobby Flay is a fierce competitor in the kitchen, and as far as his home in Saratoga Springs goes, that’s just as tough to beat.

      The Tudor-style residence, located just outside the Oklahoma Training Track at the Saratoga Race Course, is being dished out for $3.3 million, The Times Union reported on Monday. Back in 2021, the Food Network alum bought the property for $1.7 million, which is about half the asking price if your math skills aren’t up to par. At the time, Flay tapped New York City’s Olivia Capuano, founder of Olivia Jane Design, to totally and quickly revamp the place, a huge project that she managed to complete in less than six months.

      “The design was aimed at bringing the vibrancy and energy of the track indoors while creating an inviting and comfortable space for hosting guests,” Capuano told House Beautiful earlier this year.

      Bobby Flay’s Saratoga Springs getaway comes with a custom bourbon lounge

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      Her biggest task in renovating the 3,087-square-foot, four-bedroom abode was converting an office into a swanky bourbon lounge for the celeb chef, who’s a well-known whiskey drinker and racehorse enthusiast. She also transformed an existing backyard fire pit into an outdoor kitchen. 

      “A large chunk of the budget was spent on updating the back patio,” Capuano told the magazine. “As track season coincides with the most lovely weather for upstate New York, we knew that it was an incredibly valuable entertaining space.” In addition to expanding its overall square footage, she installed a custom concrete grill counter and an outdoor television.  

      The residence was recently remodeled and includes a large outdoor patio with a kitchen

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      Inside, the sunken living room feels super cozy and offers up views of the track, while the kitchen is bright and spacious, equipped with vaulted ceilings and an exposed brick fireplace. (Yes, it’s as impressive as you’d expect for an Iron Chef.) Elsewhere, you’ll find a primary suite on each level so there’s no need for a tension-filled throwdown for who gets the best bedroom.

      “I asked Olivia to create a warm home with the Deco era in mind, as the house was originally built in 1939. I think she did an amazing job,” Flay added.  

      JoAnn Potrzuski Cassidy with Julie & Co. Realty has the listing.  

      Click here to see all the photos of Bobby Flay’s Saratoga Springs house.  

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