Inside Paul Hollywood's quiet life in UK countryside village where homes cost £425,000
Paul Hollywood's rural retreat is a luxe farmhouse where he admits he's happy to be a hermit.
When Paul Hollywood's sparkling eyes and handshake of approval aren't starring on the Bake Off, the celebrity chef lives a quiet life in Kent.
Of course, with a reported fortune over £11million, that entails residing in a plush £1million farmhouse that’s very Hollywood indeed.
Paul, 58, and his wife Melissa Spalding, 40, live in an 18th century mansion near Ashford in Kent.
The star once lived in a Grade-I property in Kent, which he listed for sale in 2016, and he now reportedly lives in a Grade-II farmhouse worth £1million.
When away from set, he and his wife, a former pub landlady whom he married in 2023, retire to a countryside abode found on the outskirts of the small village of Smarden.
Smarden, dubbed “The Barn of Kent”, boasts properties with an average price of £425,000, according to Rightmove. A detached three bedroom cottage currently on the market costs £490,000.
Paul’s four bedroom, two bathroom converted farmhouse sits upon an eight acre estate.
The property boasts stables, orchards, a Shepherd’s Nook, as well as a poultry run.
He also has local roots: Melissa's family own The Chequers Inn, a coaching inn and pub dating back to the 14th century.
The quiet country life certainly suits Paul who once told Ideal Home: "I like my privacy where I am and I feel safe there. I’ve become more of a hermit over the last few years."
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He continued: "I like my own space in the house, kicking back, putting my dressing gown on and watching the telly and that’s where I’m my most comfortable."
Paul isn’t bothered by keeping up with the lawn mowing on the sprawling estate. In fact, he admitted to the website he actually quite likes the chore.
The TV star said his happy place is in the garden: "Weirdly I really enjoy cutting the lawn. I’m a bit like Forrest Gump on my sit-on mower! I enjoy the monotony of it, without having to think too much."
You can also find him cooking outdoors at home with a pizza oven he uses "quite a bit".
Also residing in the lavish abode are Paul’s two cats. He shared with Ideal Home: "I have two beautiful Maine Coons, so I normally feed them first thing and they come sit on my lap and give me a bit of attention being very cute."
Baking isn’t his only passion - Paul is also a gearhead. The star owns a £225,000 Aston Martin and £100,000 Range Rover.
So if you’re in Smarden and see a flashy car drive past, it might be the man himself.
