This week: properties with celebrity connections from Ian Fleming's summer retreat in New York State to an 18th-century house in Somerset that was once home to William Wordsworth.
Les Pirettes, Grasse, Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Cte d'Azur. An eight-bedroom villa that was formerly home to the singer Edith Piaf. It has beamed ceilings, tiled floors, exposed stone walls and French doors leading onto a landscaped garden with a swimming pool. 8 beds, 3 receps, tennis court, terraces, 3.95 acres. €4.5m French Entre 01225-463752.
Black Hole Hollow Farm, Cambridge, New York State, US. A farm on a 948-acre estate. It was Ian Fleming's summer retreat, where he wrote parts of Diamonds Are Forever and Goldfinger. 6-bed main house, further 2-bed and 1-bed house, two 3-bed cottages, riding arena, greenhouse, maple-syrup production facility, pool. $3.98m Christie's International Real Estate +1 617 357 0455.
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Amerden Bank, Taplow, Maidenhead, Berkshire. This 15th-century house has access to the towpath frontage of the River Thames and was once owned by ballerina Margo Fonteyn.
It has period fireplaces, an oak staircase and a conservatory. 5 beds,3 baths, 3 receps, library, 0.75 acres. £1.695m Strutt & Parker 01753-891188.
Alfoxton Park, Holford, Somerset. A Grade II-listed, 18th-century house that was once the home of the poet William Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy. It is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 16 beds, 17 baths, 3 receps, 2 kitchens, 1-bed garden cottage, traditional farm buildings, walled garden, tennis court, deer park, woodland, 55 acres. £500,000 OnTheMarket.com 01392-976718.
Rana Creek Ranch, Carmel Valley, California. A ranch owned by Mike Markkula, an early investor in Apple. It dates from 1834 and extends from the Tularcitos Mountains to the Salinas Valley. 1-bed main ranch, 6 private residences, 4-bed guest house, riding arena, 14,000 acres of fenced land. $45m Carmel Realty Company +1 831 241 1434.
A 13-acre estate in Sun Valley, Idaho, US. This estate on the Bigwood River is the holiday home of Steve Miller of the Steve Miller Band. 3-bed house, 3 cottages, recording studio with an instrument vault, archive building with stained-glass windows. $16m Engel & Vlkers +1 208 9287223.
Normand Mews, Barons Court, London W14. This former home of F1 driver James Hunt has been redesigned to include an open-plan living area and a bespoke Italian kitchen with bifold doors leading onto the garden. 4 beds, 4 baths, wine cellar, roof terrace, terraced garden. £2.7m Chestertons 0207-731 4448.
Casa Guanacaste, Playa Barrigona, Costa Rica. A villa owned by the actor Mel Gibson. It is set on a hilltop in 403 acres of privately owned jungle on the Nicoya Peninsula. 7 beds, 8 baths, receps, gourmet kitchen, covered verandahs & balconies, pool, 2 further 2-bed villas, garage, beach. $29.75m Christie's International Real Estate+44 203 824 1951 .
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