Martin Clunes and his wife Philippa Braithwaite are set for a big night out on Thursday 6 February, at the premiere of Wuthering Heights, in which he stars as Mr Earnshaw, but their everyday life is a world away from the glittering red carpet in London. The Doc Martin star resides in the Dorset countryside, where the couple own a farmhouse sitting on an impressive 130-acre estate.
While sitting on the This Morning sofa, Martin revealed that his farm will host a special fair again this year, to raise funds for the Dorset hospital. The Buckham Fair has been running since 2009 and has achieved incredible fundraising for various charities, raising over £500k so far. Expect a pony and dog show, a big wheel, and a helter-skelter at the 2026 fair, which is returning on the "unspoilt land" for the first time since 2019. This good news comes as Martin continues to battle with his local neighbours and council behind the scenes…
Martin's war with neighbours
© Photo: RexDespite the idyllic surroundings, the actor has been caught up in a dispute with neighbours since 2023. Martin, along with other residents in the area, has expressed his frustration to the local council after fellow locals, Theo Langton and Ruth McGill, were granted permission for their plans to install a "private residential traveller site" so they can continue to live in a mobile home on land they own as they have done for 25 years.
The neighbours had sought permanent status from the Dorset Council, but Martin had suggested that their settlement was "causing harm to the protected landscape that is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty."
The committee expressed they believed Theo and Ruth were "new age travellers", which is why the submission is being considered; however, Martin disputes this idea and says that "persons cannot claim they are Travellers because of the way they project themselves".
What is Martin Clunes' home like?
Over the years, their home has been home to horses, Shetland ponies, dogs, 50 Dexter cattle, sheep and hens. Talking about life on the farm, in an interview with the Daily Express, Martin admitted: "It's my favourite place in the world."
He continued: "I can go for weeks without leaving the farm," he continued. "I like being connected to the seasons in a real way. Making hay, worrying about the grass, watching the leaves come and go, caring for the animals.
"I'm really happy there and never get lonely. I like travelling and am lucky enough to have been to and worked in some amazing places, but I’ve always got my eye on coming home."
During various virtual interviews, Martin has given fans a glimpse into his estate, including the bountiful garden and his gorgeous living space with a sweet window seat to look out over the grounds.
