She spent 15 years raving about her idyllic life in a harbourside home in the Cornish port of Fowey. But after deciding the town had become ‘too cool and trendy’ Dawn French decided it was time to sell
She spent 15 years raving about her idyllic life in a harbourside home in the Cornish port of Fowey.
But after deciding the town had become ‘too cool and trendy’ Dawn French decided it was time to sell.
Now it seems the Vicar of Dibley star has discovered the answer to her woes – a stunning Victorian villa in a quiet and secluded village elsewhere in Cornwall.
The comedienne, 63, and her husband, Mark Bignell, 56, have made the decision to relocate to the Cornwall and Devon border, with waterside views.
With its narrow thoroughfares, boutique style shops and characterful pubs, the village is reminiscent of her beloved Fowey.
But crucially the spot remains off the beaten tourist track, enabling Miss French to avoid the crowds that swamp Fowey in the summer months.
The star and her husband have snapped up a secluded five-bedroom house in the village, offering plenty of peace and privacy.
While it is unclear how much they paid, the property last sold for just over £1.1million in 2009.
The house, set in three acres, retains many of its original period features including a stained glass window and tiled floors.
As well as the main house, the property has an annexe with its own bedroom, kitchen, living room and shower room, which was used by the previous owners as an Airbnb let.
There is also a separate coach house with two bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room and a kitchen as well as its own garden and parking space.
The sprawling grounds include a Victorian glass house, potting shed, two paddocks and a fruit and vegetable allotment.
What she’s bought: The comedienne, 63, and her husband, Mark Bignell, 56, have made the decision to relocate to the Cornwall and Devon border, with waterside views. The star and her husband have snapped up a secluded five-bedroom house (pictured) in the village, offering plenty of peace and privacy. While it is unclear how much they paid, the property last sold for just over £1.1million in 2009
And what she’s leaving: Miss French married therapist Mr Bignell in 2013, three years after she split from Lenny Henry, 62, following 25 years of marriage. She bought Point Neptune House (above) for £3million in 2006 and originally lived there with Henry and their daughter Billie, 30
A sneak peek inside a bedroom in the new villa. The house, set in three acres, retains many of its original period features including a stained glass window and tiled floors. As well as the main house, the property has an annexe with its own bedroom, kitchen, living room and shower room, which was used by the previous owners as an Airbnb let
The couple, who are thought to have not yet permanently moved into the property, have already applied for permission to build a garden room extension to the south side of the building.
They also want to build an open walkway between the main house and the annexe, which will be turned into office space.
The walkway will have slated, pitched roof in keeping with the design of the rest of the house, according to the planning application. A parish council spokesman declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail.
But another planning source said: ‘It’s not really secret. We understand she wants to keep it quiet to avoid causing any disturbance either for her or the village. I think that might get things off on the wrong foot.
‘There was a council meeting on Tuesday at which Mr Bignell and his agent set out their plans for the new house. His wife’s name is on the planning application too. However, we have not seen her here as yet.’
Dawn is seen above in the spacious kitchen she is leaving behind. In her new property, there is a separate coach house with two bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room and a kitchen as well as its own garden and parking space
Although the three-storey Point Neptune House was clearly grand in stature, it boasted a relaxed feel, with the screen star’s pet pooches and cat regularly seen lounging around the house on the furniture
Breathtaking: The Vicar of Dibley star gave her fans intimate glimpses of the treasured harbourside abode she is now leaving
Another local said: ‘If what people are saying is true she has got some sort of family connection to the village and that’s why she’s coming here. That and the fact it’s very quiet here and that’s how we like it.’
Miss French married therapist Mr Bignell in 2013, three years after she split from Lenny Henry, 62, following 25 years of marriage.
She bought Point Neptune House for £3million in 2006 and originally lived there with Henry and their daughter Billie, 30.
The Grade II-listed mansion overlooks Readymoney Cove and it is thought to have been sold through by luxury property agent Jonathan Cunliffe.
Inside Dawn French’s beloved multi-million pound Cornish mansion she called home for 15 years
By RYAN SMITH for MailOnline
She recently parted ways with her treasured Cornwall mansion for a multi-million pound fee, after living in it for 15 years.
And Dawn French regularly gave her fans intimate glimpses of her treasured harbourside abode, which sits in the charming town of Fowey, over the years before she packed up and moved on.
Sources recently revealed to The Mail On Sunday that the Vicar of Dibley star, 63, opted to sell the grand abode, which she shared with daughter Billie and husband Mark Bignell, because the area had become ‘too trendy’.
Move: Dawn French recently parted ways with her beloved Cornwall mansion for a multi-million pound fee, after living in it for 15 years
Stunning home: She owned Point Neptune House, which boasts huge, arched windows and stunning sea views, for 15 years
The Welsh-born star often took to Twitter to share an insight into her idyllic life on the coast, including time with her beloved pets and the bountiful flowers that decorated the home, called Point Neptune.
And while her adorable pets and sweet and savoury treats were often the subject of her posts, her spacious kitchen, light-flooded living room and art-covered walls often stole the show.
Boasting views of the harbour, Dawn was also able to take advantage of the West Country’s abundant sunshine, with a sprawling outdoor dining area.
Although the three-storey home was clearly grand in stature, it boasted a relaxed feel, with the screen star’s pet pooches and cat regularly seen lounging around the house on the furniture.
Life’s a beach: The Welsh-born star often took to Twitter to share an insight into her idyllic life on the coast, including time with her beloved pets and strolls along the golden shoreline
Despite all the charm of the home, it was recently revealed that Dawn planned to move out of the rural idyll of Fowey at a time when it has become too ‘cool and trendy’.
The Mail on Sunday revealed that the comedienne had sold her treasured home, dramatically set on a windswept bluff, and has decamped to a more low-key area, while remaining within Cornwall.
She had owned Point Neptune House, which boasts huge, arched windows and stunning sea views, for 15 years.
The property is widely considered one of the most desirable houses in the town, but it is clearly visible to the growing hordes of tourists that visit.
A source said earlier this month: ‘Yes, Dawn is selling up, but she’s very much staying in Cornwall. She just wanted a change.
Too cool for school: Despite all the charm of the home, it was recently revealed that Dawn planned to move out of the rural idyll of Fowey at a time when it has become too ‘cool and trendy’
Al fresco delights: Boasting views of the harbour, Dawn was also able to take advantage of the West Country’s abundant sunshine, with a sprawling outdoor dining area
‘Dawn is low-profile and private. The fact that Fowey has recently become cool and trendy isn’t what she finds appealing per se.
‘It can get very busy now during summer. Dawn will always love Fowey and had 15 wonderful years living there. She will miss all the locals who made her feel so welcome.’
During an interview with Fern Cotton back in 2018, Dawn said of her home: ‘It was in a bit of a state and I thought “Oh, I’m going to need a bit of dosh to do this up”.
‘I called Jennifer [Saunders] and I said, “Look I’ve seen this place and I know I want to live there but we’ve got to go on tour, how about it?” And she said something like “Oh yes, I’m doing my conservatory, OK yes.”‘
Fowey, a charming harbour town where writer Daphne du Maurier once lived, has been described as a ‘millionaires’ playground’ and is popular with London buyers.
Moving on, staying local: The Mail on Sunday revealed that the comedienne had sold her treasured home, dramatically set on a windswept bluff, and has decamped to a more low-key area, while remaining within Cornwall
Say it with flowers: One overriding theme in Dawn’s snaps of her home was her love of fresh flowers adorning the property
Art pieces: A selection of quirky and personalised art adorned the walls and other areas of the tastefully decorated property
It voted last year to ban newly built houses being sold as second homes amid an influx of city-dwellers pricing locals out of the market.
The summer season sees the town overrun with tourists, particularly recently now that foreign travel is largely off the cards.
Several trendy London restaurants have opened outlets on its narrow – and previously quiet – streets in recent years, with queues around the block.
The source said that Dawn ‘doesn’t see herself in that celebrity, flashy tribe. She’s a low-key resident. It’s actually not like her to have a visible, ostentatious home in the centre of town.’
Safety first: At the height of lockdown last year, the comedienne shared her tongue-in-cheek solution for hugging loved ones
In the midst of the bustle: The property is widely considered one of the most desirable houses in the town, but it is clearly visible to the growing hordes of tourists that visit
Change: A source recently said, ‘Yes, Dawn is selling up, but she’s very much staying in Cornwall. She just wanted a change’
Oops! The star revealed that a wood pigeon accidentally flew through one of her glorious windows, breaking it in the process
Dawn, who starred as Geraldine Granger in The Vicar of Dibley, moved into the Grade-II listed building in 2006 with her then-husband Lenny Henry and their daughter Billie. The couple divorced in 2010.
In 2013, she married therapist Mark Bignell in the coastal resort of Mawgan Porth.
The sale of Point Neptune House is believed to have been a multi-million-pound off-market sale through the luxury property agent Jonathan Cunliffe.
He said of the sale: ‘We cannot say who Dawn sold Point Neptune to, only that she has bought again in Cornwall.’
Big move: Dawn, who starred as Geraldine Granger in The Vicar of Dibley, moved into the Grade-II listed building in 2006 with her then-husband Lenny Henry and their daughter Billie. The couple divorced in 2010
Husband: She now lives with her therapist husband Mark Bignell, who she wed in the coastal resort of Mawgan Porth in 2013
Busy: The summer season sees the town overrun with tourists, particularly recently now foreign travel is largely off the cards
Loving it: The star has often joked about Cornwall being ‘grim’ and ‘horrible’ as she shares one stunning view after another