A house that has the 12th century ruins of an old bishop’s palace regularly visited by Henry VIII on its grounds has gone on the market for £2.75million.
The Bishop’s Palace was a key residence for the bishops of Winchester, who were among the richest churchmen in Europe and hosted many royal visitors in its history, including Henry V, Henry VIII and Mary I.
The palace in Bishop’s Waltham, Hampshire, was severely damaged in the Civil War and the ruins, now a Grade I listed scheduled ancient monument, are now being sold with Palace House.
The seven-bedroom property, which is Grade II listed, dates back to the Tudor times but was built up in the 19th century.
The seven-bedroom property Palace House (pictured), which is Grade II listed, dates back to the Tudor times but was built up in the 19th century
The house includes this large sitting area, perfect for entertaining guests much like the former owners of Bishop’s Palace would do when they had royal visitors
The Bishop’s Palace (shown) was a key residence for the bishops of Winchester, who were among the richest churchmen in Europe and hosted many royal visitors in its history, including Henry V, Henry VIII and Mary I
Palace House has 5,436 sq ft of accommodation and several features, such as a dining room, a drawing room, a large kitchen and breakfast room (pictured) and a study
Palace House owns the freehold to the ruins but they are maintained by English Heritage, which opens them to the public in the summer and at weekends in winter.
Current owners Virginia and Alan Lovell have owned the property for the last 30 years and enjoyed the ruins, where they have hosted charity opera events and their daughter’s 21st birthday party.
Now that their children have grown up and moved out they are looking to downsize.
Palace House has 5,436 sq ft of accommodation with a dining room, drawing room, kitchen/breakfast room, sitting room, study, wine cellar, seven bedrooms and four bathrooms.
There is also planning permission in place to reconfigure the bedrooms and bathrooms.
There is also an annexe cottage with a sitting room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, and a former coach house with a gym and studio.
Current owners Virginia and Alan Lovell have owned the property (pictured from the garden area) for the last 30 years and enjoyed the ruins, where they have hosted charity opera events and their daughter’s 21st birthday party
There is also an annexe cottage with a sitting room, kitchen, bedroom (pictured) and bathroom, and a former coach house with a gym and studio
Palace House owns the freehold to the ruins (pictured) but they are maintained by English Heritage, which opens them to the public in the summer and at weekends in winter
The 10 acres of grounds and gardens are set within a Grade I listed 15th century wall and include a pergola rose walk, an orchard, kitchen garden, croquet lawn, greenhouse and brick potting shed.
There is also a Grade II listed granary, a tennis court, a swimming pool with pool house and man-made brick streams, built as far back as the 13th century, that run through the grounds.
George Nares, from estate agents Savills, said: ‘You get the best of both worlds because English Heritage maintain it so you get the enjoyment of it but without the cost or hassle.
‘It is open to the public but the public entrance is on the opposite side and the house is very much protected by the wall that surrounds the grounds.
‘Because of its history and country house look I think it is definitely going to appeal to an English buyer with a young family – the ruins are a really fun thing for a child.’
The 10 acres of grounds and gardens are set within a Grade I listed 15th century wall and include a pergola rose walk, an orchard, kitchen garden, croquet lawn, greenhouse and brick potting shed