Lawrence of Arabia’s Victorian childhood home on sale

The luxurious Victorian property which ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ once called his childhood home has gone on sale for just shy of £3million.

An eight-year-old T.E Lawrence moved with his family to 2 Polstead Road in 1896, which would become his home throughout his childhood.

A bungalow was built in the back garden for the teenage Lawrence, which was the place the future archaeologist and military officer spent some of his time. 

The grand Victorian property which used to be the childhood home of T.E Larence has been put on sale for nearly £3. He moved to the property on 2 Polstead Road in 1896, when he was aged just eight. He went to school locally and the family later built a bungalow where the teenage ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ lived

The blue plaque to commemorate that T.E. Lawrence lived at the property in Oxford. London’s famous blue plaques link the people of the past with the buildings of the present. It is run by English Heritage, the London blue plaques scheme was started in 1866 and is thought to be the oldest of its kind in the world

The blue plaque to commemorate that T.E. Lawrence lived at the property in Oxford. London’s famous blue plaques link the people of the past with the buildings of the present. It is run by English Heritage, the London blue plaques scheme was started in 1866 and is thought to be the oldest of its kind in the world

Trees line the streets of the scenic Oxford street and is instantly reconcilable from the blue plaque on the wall to commemorate the famous resident.

Historians and local campaigners demands to ensure that the property is given a listed status failed in their attempts and now the nine-bed property has been put on the market for £2.95million. 

Along with its nine bedrooms, there are four reception rooms, a large garden, parking and a separate annexe – making the property four times the size of an average home.

The semi-detached property was built in 1890 but requires a makeover after laying disused for the past two years. 

Lawrence and his brothers attended local schools before he went onto study history at Jesus College, Cambridge. 

Ronnie van der Ploeg, director, Savills Summertown, said: ‘It is a large house which has an annexe in garden which adds another dimension.

‘It could be used for a relative looking for independent living, maybe for friends who are staying or as a bolthole for a teenager, which I think is what T.E. Lawrence used it for as a teenager

‘The home is in a very popular area of Oxford, with interest driven by the schools. The house is larger than most and it is coming onto the market for a the first time in quite a few years.

‘It is a bit of a project for someone looking to put their mark on it.

The annexe of the home which T.E. Lawrence once used to call home. It has a grand garden and is four times the size of the average home but has been left disused for the past two years. Historians and local campaigners tried to ensure that the property is given a listed status failed in their attempts and now the nine-bed property has been put on the market for £2.95million

The annexe of the home which T.E. Lawrence once used to call home. It has a grand garden and is four times the size of the average home but has been left disused for the past two years. Historians and local campaigners tried to ensure that the property is given a listed status failed in their attempts and now the nine-bed property has been put on the market for £2.95million

Part of the property's grand garden in Oxford. Lawrence's called the property his home between 1896 and 1921. It is where he spent the final year before he left to travel the Middle East, where he picked up the nicknamed 'Lawrence of Arabia'

Part of the property’s grand garden in Oxford. Lawrence’s called the property his home between 1896 and 1921. It is where he spent the final year before he left to travel the Middle East, where he picked up the nicknamed ‘Lawrence of Arabia’

‘It will appeal to a family who are drawn to it by the schools and we expect interest from locals, London and international.’

Lawrence called the property his home between 1896 and 1921. It is where he spent the final year before he left to travel the Middle East, where he picked up the nicknamed ‘Lawrence of Arabia’.  

In 1918, after returning from war, Lawrence was elected a Fellow Of All Souls College.

The diplomat and writer gained international fame as the ‘Uncrowned King of Arabia’ after uniting Arab tribes against the Turks during the First World War.

Portrait of Welsh-born archaeologist, author and military leader Thomas E. Lawrence wearing a headdress (left). Lawrence led the Arab forces in their revolt against the Turks during and after World War

T.E Lawrence as a child in circa 1893

Portrait of Welsh-born archaeologist, author and military leader Thomas E. Lawrence wearing a headdress (left). Lawrence led the Arab forces in their revolt against the Turks during and after World War. T.E Lawrence as a child in circa 1893 (right)

One of the nine bedrooms in the property in Oxford. The former home of Lawrence has been left empty for the past two years and requires quite a bit of regeneration work. There have been fresh calls for it to be listed following the announcement the house was going onto the market, with fears it could be bought by a developer and converted into flats

One of the nine bedrooms in the property in Oxford. The former home of Lawrence has been left empty for the past two years and requires quite a bit of regeneration work. There have been fresh calls for it to be listed following the announcement the house was going onto the market, with fears it could be bought by a developer and converted into flats

He died in a motorcycle accident in 1935, aged just 46.

Calls to list the house were rejected last year. The T.E. Lawrence Society said it was bemused at the decision, because most of the British hero’s other homes have already been listed.

There have been fresh calls for it to be listed following the announcement the house was going onto the market, with fears it could be bought by a developer and converted into flats.   

An image of the old conservatory in the property. The old tiling, brick finish, wooden doors and ceiling slats remain in place inside the home. There is also an old wooden chair left by the single glazed windows. Despite the old finish on the property, calls to list it were rejected last year

An image of the old conservatory in the property. The old tiling, brick finish, wooden doors and ceiling slats remain in place inside the home. There is also an old wooden chair left by the single glazed windows. Despite the old finish on the property, calls to list it were rejected last year

One of the welcome rooms inside Lawrence's old home. A lick of pink paint and purple curtains have been put into the property to give it a fresher feel although the old fireplace, dark wooden flooring and table have been left behind. Ronnie van der Ploeg, director, Savills Summertown, said the property had a of interest in the local area, from London and also internationally

One of the welcome rooms inside Lawrence’s old home. A lick of pink paint and purple curtains have been put into the property to give it a fresher feel although the old fireplace, dark wooden flooring and table have been left behind. Ronnie van der Ploeg, director, Savills Summertown, said the property had a of interest in the local area, from London and also internationally



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