The birthplace of cricket in an unspoiled village within South Downs National Park

One bucolic downland village is not only part of a 3,500-acre estate belonging to one of the UK’s most renowned heritage bodies, but is also thought to be the home of one of our national sports.

The birthplace of cricket, although those from Hambledon might disagree, rural Slindon contains a considerable amount of National-Trust-owned property.

According to Simon Smith, partner at Henry Adams Chichester, it is also very attractive to buyers thanks to its beautiful location within the South Downs National Park.

He said: “It’s a pretty, unspoiled village and there are many period, Grade II listed character properties in the village.

“It’s very quiet and peaceful and it’s not a cut-through for anyone.”

For these very reasons, Slindon is often ranked one of the most desirable downland villages around.

Inhabitants have easy access to Arundel, Chichester and Barnham railway stations, in addition to the A27 along the coast and the A29 to London, so ‘it’s handy for people to commute and get out and about’.

The village is particularly popular with people who have retired or would like to downsize or move south from London.

Properties ‘don’t come up very often’.

Those that do range from tiny cottages to renovation properties at around £400,000, plus more opulent homes hitting the £2million mark and above.

Simon said there is nowhere obvious to develop in Slindon and very little new building at all, bar the conversion of the local pub into a family home.

The village has a primary school, two churches – one Catholic, one Church of England – a very-well-attended village hall and a private school, Slindon College.

Previously the forge, the hugely popular village shop and café is owned by the village and attracts cyclists, dog walkers and tourists.

“There’s also The Spur pub up the road, the pumpkin farm at the top and the Cricket Club.”