Clare Balding recently embarked on a major move out of London with her wife Alice Arnold following a heartbreaking death they went through.
TV favourite Clare and journalist Alice have been happily married for more than two decades. When they are not working, the pair used to enjoy downtime at their lush pad in Chiswick – but now they have a new abode!
Last summer, Clare opened up about a new chapter in her life; and leaving London…
Clare Balding makes life decision with wife Alice
In 2020, Clare and Alice were dealt a heartbreaking blow when their beloved pup, a Tibetan terrier called Archie, died.
“He was our family, the central part of our life. He had lots of faults and I’m quite honest about them but we loved him very much,” she told the BBC at the time.
And last year, Clare confirmed she and Alice were planning to move to the countryside in spring 2026 – and they’ve done it!
After 20 years living in London, the BBC sports star, 55, and Mellow Magic host Alice Arnold, 63, have decided to swap city life for the countryside.
The couple are moving around 20 miles away from their reported £3 million home in Chiswick to the leafy Surrey town of Esher as they embrace a quieter way of life.
Clare says ‘it’s really going to upset me’
However, before her move, first, Clare had to tackle a major clear-out. And it seems it might be a struggle for the self-confessed “hoarder”.
Speaking to Woman and Home magazine about her worst habits, Clare, said: “I’m not very tidy. And I’m a bit of a hoarder. We’re about to do a massive house clear-out ahead of a move, which is really going to upset me because I don’t like getting rid of things.”
Meanwhile in October, Clare opened up again about getting a new dog following her move.
“For me, in this interim period before we get another dog, I really have to say to myself: ‘Right, you need to walk, because it makes you happy. Just get out there and do it,”” she told CountryLiving.
The animal lover added: “When you have a dog, there isn’t any get-out,” with the publication reporting that Clare’s eyes lit up at the thought of having a dog in her life again.
As for which breed they are hoping to get, poodles and schnauzers are at the top of the list. As well as Welsh terriers. Clare said: “There’s a Welsh terrier in my book, as they’re renowned for being fiercely loyal.”
‘As soon as we’re settled, it’s our plan’
Clare opened up about her plans to move away from London last year.
She told The Times: “There’s a dog-shaped hole in our lives at the moment. We’re looking to move out of London. And one of the main reasons for that is to have a bit more space and protection from the road so it’s a good environment for a dog.
“As soon as we’re settled, it’s our plan – probably next spring. I smile at the thought of having a dog back in our lives.”
A family friend added: “London has been wonderful for them. But priorities shift. You start wanting gardens instead of traffic, birdsong instead of sirens.”
Read more: Celebrity Traitors cast members Kate Garraway and Clare Balding lock horns on GMB: ‘Don’t start!’
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