Hearth & Soul

Hand-picked natural foliage and brightly burning fires have created a cosy rural setting for the Foottit family’s celebrations.

- Penny Botting

Moving house on Christmas Eve isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, but for Camilla and James Foottit, the upheaval did not phase them; in fact, they relished it. ‘We love entertaining, and had 25 people due for lunch at New Year, which proved a pretty good incentive to get everything unpacked and set up,’ laughs Camilla

Although their previous home was perfect in many ways – a large Victorian townhouse near their pie business, Higgidy – the couple’s children, Kate, 10, and Jack, eight, needed to be closer to school and the family also wanted a bigger garden. ‘So we decided to rent this house from some friends, Rick and Kirsty Goring, who own the nearby Wiston Estate,’ says Camilla.

‘This house has a completely different style and is set directly beneath the rolling South Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty,’ explains Camilla. ‘We are minutes from the children’s school and friends, and the nearby countryside is great for getting outdoors and exploring.’