Houses with famous connections
Eight of the best houses with famous connections – from the former home of Jane Austen in Hampshire to a castle in East Lothian built from the remnants of Mary Queen of Scots’ favourite palace.
From the former home of Jane Austen in Hampshire toa castle in East Lothian built from the remnants of Mary Queen of Scots' favourite palace.
Seton Castle, Longniddry, East Lothian. Renowned architect Robert Adam used the remnants of Mary Queen of Scots' favourite palace to construct this imposing property in 1789. 6 beds, 4 baths, grand hall, 3 receps, library, office, music room, billiard room, wine cellar, two 3-bed cottages, stables, 13.4 acres. £8m+ Savills 0131-247 3738.
Bluntisham House, Bluntisham, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. This Grade II-listed, 1720s former rectory was once home of the crime writer Dorothy L. Sayers and more recently of jazz musician Chris Barber. The house has shuttered sash windows, period fireplaces and a grand entrance hall with fluted Corinthian columns. 8 beds, 3 baths, 3 receps, 2 studies, conservatory, breakfast kitchen, gym, indoor heated pool, triple garage, workshop, gym, gardens, 1.83 acres. £2.35m Savills 01223-347147.
Flat 3, Aurora, Sidmouth, Devon. This large, two-bedroom flat in a Grade II-listed building built in 1805 was used as a summer home by J.R.R. Tolkien from 1934 until 1938, and was where he wrote part of The Lord of the Rings. It has Gothic-style sash windows with views over open green areas towards the sea, a feature fireplace and a bespoke, fitted kitchen. Bath, recep, parking. £375,000 Bradleys 01395-578444.
Little Hill, Hanover, Jamaica. A 1950s house on top of a hill with 360-degree views of the Caribbean Sea. It is built around a circular swimming pool and famous guests have included the late Queen Mother. 5 beds, 6 baths, 3 receps, 5-bed staff house, 1-bed flat. Sale includes all furnishings. $6.5m Christie's International Real Estate +1 561 805 7327.
Ponden Hall, Stanbury, Haworth, West Yorkshire. This 1540s property was extended in 1801 to include a library that was used by the Bront sisters. It has flagstone floors, beamed ceilings and a large kitchen with an Aga. 9 beds, 8 baths, recep, cellar, gardens, 4 acres. £1.25m Fine & Country 0113-203 4939.
Stanton Court, Stanton St. Quintin, Wiltshire. The principal part of a 1780s, Grade II-listed former rectory where the writer P.G. Wodehouse once had a study and which once counted Queen Victoria's granddaughter, Princess Marie Louise, as a frequent visitor. It has oak panelled walls and leaded light stone-mullioned windows. 7 beds, 4 baths, 3 receps, gardens, woodland, 3 acres. £1.33m Carter Jonas 01225-747250.
The Clock Tower, Thurstaston, Wirral. A Grade II-listed clock tower once owned by Thomas Ismay, owner of the White Star shipping line, which included RMS Titanic in its fleet. The tower was built in 1892 and converted into a family home in 1960. It has panelled walls, beamed ceilings, curved dressed-stone walls and open fireplaces with period surrounds. 3 beds, bath, 2 receps, attics, 2-bed annexe, outbuildings, greenhouse, paddock, 1 acre. £1.25m Jackson-Stops 01244-328361.
The Dower House, Chawton, Alton, Hampshire. A Grade II-listed house originally built in 1450 with a mock-Tudor faade added in 1890. It was the home of Jane Austen for the last eight years of her life and she is thought to have written or revised the majority of her novels here. 6 beds, 2 baths, 3 receps, 1-bed annexe, Victorian stables, hay barn, swimming pool, landscaped gardens, paddocks, woodland, 7 acres. £1.75m Savills 01252-729000.