A Spanish-style villa which was built for entertainer Sir Norman Wisdom has been put on the market for £1.5million.
Lakers House was commissioned by the entertainer in the early 1970s after the success of his character Norman Pitkin.
Sir Norman moved to the West Sussex village of West Chiltington in the late 1950s with his wife Freda Simpson and their children Jackie and Nicholas and lived in a 15th century cottage until he designed Lakers House.
Lakers House, a Spanish-style villa, is up for sale for £1.5million. It was commissioned by the entertainer in the early 1970s after the success of his character Norman Pitkin
It has a grand entrance hall, kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, sitting room, conservatory, study, games/family room, wine cellar and five bedrooms
Sir Norman designed the property to have generous-sized rooms that maximise light. Above is the sitting room with an exposed brick fireplace and stunning beams
Sir Norman, who was knighted in the 2000 New Year’s Honour List and retired from showbiz in 2005, then lived on the Isle of Man until he died in 2010, aged 95
The 4,500sq ft house sits in a generous plot of 3.5 acres with formal gardens, paddocks and a swimming pool.
Sir Norman designed the property to have generous-sized rooms that maximise light. It has a grand entrance hall, kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, sitting room, conservatory, study, games/family room, wine cellar and five bedrooms.
In the grounds is a large garage block big enough for eight cars, which Sir Norman had built to keep a fleet of cars including a Bentley and a Jaguar.
The garage, which has a bedroom, shower room and hobbies room above, caused a row in the village when he had it built with the parish council clerk branding it an eyesore.
Above is the principal bedroom, which leads onto the balcony. It has views of the beautiful grounds which surround the property
In the large landing area there are beautiful tiles which line the bottom of the wall. They have been designed in curved manner
There is also a large, tiled conservatory which allows plenty of light into the property. There are also fans that have been installed on the ceiling
There is also two stable blocks.
The house is next to the village’s cricket ground, which can be seen from a first floor balcony, and tennis clubs so is ideal for sport-lovers, as well as having access to country walks across the downs.
Sir Norman discovered his talent for entertainment while he was serving in the Second World War and had a quick rise to fame after his variety debut in 1945 first in theatre then film.
He was known for his slapstick film roles in the 1950s and 60s when he played barely competent worker Norman Pitkin opposite a frustrated boss Mr Grimsdale.
Despite the drama caused by his garage, during his time in the village Sir Norman became a part of the village scene, picking up awards at the local flower show and becoming a director of Brighton and Hove Albion.
He also kept his £80,000-yacht berthed in nearby Southwick.
Sir Norman and his family lived at Lakers House for several years until he decided to move to the Isle of Man in the late 1970s after falling in love with the island when he spent a season at a theatre there.
Two stable blocks are located near the paddocks, making the property perfect for horse-lovers and owners
The house is next to the village’s cricket ground, which can be seen from a first floor balcony, and tennis clubs so is ideal for sport-lovers, as well as having access to country walks across the downs
In the grounds is a large garage block big enough for eight cars, which Sir Norman had built to keep a fleet of cars including a Bentley and a Jaguar
The garage, which has a bedroom, shower room and hobbies room above, caused a row in the village when he had it built with the parish council clerk branding it an eyesore
Sir Norman, who was knighted in the 2000 New Year’s Honour List and retired from showbiz in 2005, then lived on the Isle of Man until he died in 2010, aged 95.
A spokesman for GL & Co Estate Agents, which is selling the house, said: ‘This stunning home was built in the early 1970s for the late actor and comedian Norman Wisdom.
‘The house has been cleverly designed to offer generous size rooms, maximising a light and airy feeling throughout.
‘There is a fabulous outlook from the first floor west-facing balcony across the neighbouring cricket field.
‘The feeling of quality is apparent all through this substantial home with particular attention paid to the hand-crafted solid wood internal doors and the attractive turrets either side of the entrance.
‘The well-established and mature gardens are a fabulous feature of this stunning home and West Chiltington is a sought after village.’