The village from Graham Norton’s reality TV show could be yours for £7.5m

An entire private holiday village in Derbyshire, which was used as the filming location for Graham Norton’s reality series The Neighbourhood, has been put up for sale at £7.5 million.

Darwin Lake, near Matlock, includes 17 stone cottages, about 20 acres of countryside, and a three-acre fishing lake.

The site was previously converted into the set for the ITV competition, in which households lived side by side to compete for a £250,000 prize.

The broadcaster later confirmed the programme would not be returning for a second series.

A prospective buyer can secure the entire TV location, which features the cottages, a chapel, gatehouse, village green, and event venue.

In total, the buildings offer 35,900 square feet of living space with 34 bedrooms and 32 bathrooms.

Darwin Hall is currently used for weddings and gatherings, while the cottages can accommodate up to 127 guests.

Darwin Lake comes with a three-acre fishing lake and around 20 acres of Derbyshire countryside
Darwin Lake comes with a three-acre fishing lake and around 20 acres of Derbyshire countryside (Jam Press/Nest Seekers International)

However, Claudia Sylvester, managing director of the Private Client Group at Nest Seekers, believes the unusual property could also become a secure private village for one wealthy family.

Relatives could each occupy a separate cottage, with others converted into offices, wellness facilities or accommodation for household and security staff.

Plans already exist for a hotel and leisure development, although a buyer could seek fresh permission to create a large principal residence at the centre of the estate instead.

The village also has an evolutionary twist worthy of its name.

Darwin Lake was named in honour of naturalist Charles Darwin, who had family connections to nearby Sydnope Hall.

Apple TV logo

Watch Apple TV free for 7 day

New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial.
Plan auto-renews until cancelled.

Try for free

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

There are 17 stone cottages in the village
There are 17 stone cottages in the village (Jam Press/Nest Seekers International)

The Grade II-listed mansion was owned by Sir Francis Sacheverel Darwin, a son of pioneering doctor and naturalist Erasmus Darwin and a half-uncle of Charles.

Charles Darwin visited Sydnope, later recalling a “memorable and pleasant” stay in an 1859 letter.

The lake was formerly known as Flash Dam and is thought to have supplied water to fountains at Sydnope Hall.

Darwin Lake is currently listed through Nest Seekers International.

The Neighbourhood saw competitors take part in what was essentially a popularity contest, schmoozing the next-doors to avoid being nominated for a “removal”.

The Independent gave the show three stars out of five, calling it “slightly underwhelming”.