31-07-2025
Pay attention, 007 — Q's Georgian house could be yours for £2m
O n a quiet stretch of East Sussex countryside, where the Battle of Hastings remains a spectral presence, sits Whitelands. This Georgian house is known locally for its proportions, its privacy and for having once been home to James Bond's beloved gadget master, Desmond Llewelyn.
Llewelyn, who portrayed the unflappable Q in 17 Bond films over 36 years, purchased Whitelands in 1957 for £4,500, having moved from Chelsea, southwest London, in search of fresh air and space.
As recorded in his memoir, he undertook extensive renovations himself, both inside and out, and even weathered a fire in the dining room before flying to the Bahamas to film Thunderball.
His long tenure at Whitelands, nearly 30 years, left a quiet legend behind him. Now it's in the hands of modern film-makers, namely the cinematographer John Lynch and his wife, Mohini, a former producer, who were well aware of their famous predecessor when they bought the property in 2008. 'We came to the area quite randomly. It was really the house that we fell in love with,' Mohini says.
