The former estate of one of the country's richest families has been sold to a private buyer for more than £8 million - £2 million under the original asking price.
Lydhurst Estate - which includes an eight-bedroom Edwardian mansion - in West Sussex, was the home of the late Sir Jack Hayward, businessman, philanthropist and president of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 222-acre estate, which is thought to be the most expensive in Sussex, was put on the market earlier this year for £10 million following Sir Hayward's death in January 2015.
Sir Hayward was named the 125th richest person in Britain by The Sunday Times Rich List in 2009 with an estimated £160million fortune at the time.
He died, aged 91, in January 2015. He was appointed an OBE in 1968 and knighted in 1986 for his charitable actions.
Lydhurst Estate - which includes an eight-bedroom Edwardian mansion - in West Sussex, was the home of the late Sir Jack Hayward, businessman, philanthropist and president of Wolverhampton Wanderers
The main house, which was built in the 1930s, has a covered portico leading to the front door. Inside is a large reception hall with pillars and decorative cornicing which runs through much of the house
The 222-acre estate, which is thought to be the most expensive in Sussex, was put on the market earlier this year for £10 million following Sir Hayward's death in January 2015
Estate agents Strutt and Parker have confirmed the land and houses have now been sold, after the price was reduced by almost £2 million in April.
Sarah Parsons, partner at Strutt and Parker, said: 'The sale of the entire estate has been completed. The new owner wishes to remain anonymous.'
The most recent guide price for the property was listed as £8,250,000.
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ShareAs part of the multi-million price tag, the estate comes with an eight-bedroom Edwardian mansion, which served as the home of Sir Jack, as well as 11 smaller homes, an estate office, workshops, stables and agricultural buildings - and eight estate employees.
The main house, which was built in the 1930s, has a covered portico leading to the front door.
Inside is a large reception hall with pillars and decorative cornicing which runs through much of the house.
A photograph of the main house's sitting room, complete with roaring fireplace. The estate has been sold to a private buyer for more than £8 million - £2 million under the original asking price
About 101 acres of the estate is dedicated to mixed broadleaf woodland; 79 acres to farmland and 25 acres of parks and paddocks
As part of the multi-million price tag, the estate comes with an eight-bedroom Edwardian mansion, which served as the home of Sir Jack, as well as 11 smaller homes, an estate office, workshops, stables and agricultural buildings
On the ground floor there are four receptions rooms with a drawing room and dining room boasting large curved bay windows with views across the South Downs.
The kitchen, which features an Aga, is on the east side of the house and there are various stores and larders as well as a cellar and boot room.
In the north west corner of the house there is an annexe with a double bedroom, bathroom and sitting room.
On the first floor there are a further four bedrooms.
The sought-facing master bedroom suite features an open fire and a balcony with an Art Deco en-suite bathroom and a dressing room big enough for a single bed and a bureau.
The other three bedrooms on the floor all come with en-suites.
Sir Hayward was named the 125th richest person in Britain by The Sunday Times Rich List in 2009 with an estimated £160million fortune at the time
On the edge of the garden is a statue of a soldier as a memorial to the Local Defence Volunteers, later renamed the Home Guard, who were stationed at the house in 1940-1 during the Second World War
On the ground floor there are four receptions rooms with a drawing room and dining room boasting large curved bay windows with views across the South Downs
On the second floor there are four attic bedrooms and two bathrooms and a store room.
Outside there is a separate games house with an open fire, sitting room and space for a snooker table.
The grounds, in the High Weald area of outstanding natural beauty in West Sussex, bordering Warninglid, near Horsham, West Sussex, also boast beautiful gardens.
The land on the estate is divided into woodland, farmland and parks.
About 101 acres of the estate is dedicated to mixed broadleaf woodland; 79 acres to farmland and 25 acres of parks and paddocks.
A terrace wraps around the southern and western elevations of the house and looks over lawns, including a croquet lawn. The ground then gently drops down to ponds and a ha-ha creating a boundary between the gardens and the wider estate.
The grounds, in the High Weald area of outstanding natural beauty in West Sussex, bordering Warninglid, near Horsham, West Sussex, also boast beautiful gardens
The lawns are interspersed with trees, decorative water features and sculptures.
On the edge of the garden is a statue of a soldier as a memorial to the Local Defence Volunteers, later renamed the Home Guard, who were stationed at the house in 1940-1 during the Second World War.
There is also a stable block and traditional walled garden with sage hedges, cherry trees, a pleached beech hedge, herbaceous borders and a walkway covered in beautiful roses.
Estate agents Strutt and Parker describe the property as one of the finest settings in the South of England.
They describe the house as 'a private oasis with breath-taking views' and the extended grounds as perfect for an 'entertaining family shoot'.
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