Sir Ben Kingsley’s 19th-century home is at the heart of an English county covered in 'idyllic meadows'

Despite owning several properties scattered across the country, he frequently refers to his home at the heart of Oxfordshire during interviews.

Set on three acres of land, the abode is at the heart of the English countryside, home to hundreds of century-old buildings and heritage sites.

During an interview with Architectural Digest, the actor described the joy of spending mornings on the site, "when the walls of the kitchen glow yellow, it’s like coming into a pot of glowing honey".

He also added that "the terracotta hallway in the afternoon is breathtaking - pure liquid light".

Despite spending a big chunk of his time in luxurious houses abroad, Kingsley reveres the 19th-century home because it has character.

"I think the nomadic nature of my craft encouraged me to build a house that has a unique, strong personality," he told Architectural Digest.

"It’s easy for me to sit here in Los Angeles and visualise the house - talk about its presence, its smells, its textures."

Southwest England county of Oxfordshire is bounded to the north by Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.

It attracts visitors from across the country with picturesque villages, centuries-old structures, sprawling lawns, nature and wildlife parks and heritage sites.

Visit England writes: "With skylines pierced with spires and domes, palace estates and idyllic meadows, Oxfordshire has a dreamlike quality.

"Top things to do in Oxfordshire include a punt on the River Cherwell in Oxford for a student’s-eye view of highbrow colleges, walks through rambling deer parks, botanic gardens and lush meadows.

"Walkers amble between stony Cotswold villages like Witney and Woodstock, and tread ridgeways over the Chiltern Hills as red kites swoop overhead."

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The region has become a desirable destination for several A-list celebrities seeking a slower pace of life, including Mary Berry and Orlando Bloom.

The doyenne of Baking reportedly secured a £2.6million home in Henley-on-Thames, famed for its scenic trekking routes.

Highlights in the area include Mill Meadows Park, which received the Green Flag Award for its excellent maintenance and wildlife.

"Henley’s riverside locations, surrounded by a Chiltern landscape of wooded hills and green fields, lends itself to relaxation, long lunches and quirky shopping," adds the website Visit Henley.