Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - country house

(country houses) A country house is a large, often attractive, house in the country, usually one that is or was owned by a rich or noble family. (BRIT) N-COUNT COUNTRY SEAT (country seats) A country seat is a large house with land in the country which is owned by someone who also owns a house in a town. His family have a country seat in Oxfordshire. N-COUNT