Small, unmodernised former home of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh for sale for the extraordinary figure of £7.5 million
Built in 1850, Durham Cottage in Christchurch Street, Chelsea is a house “hidden behind a high dusty brick wall” that was the love nest of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh between 1937 and 1956. Now, in totally unmodernised condition, the house is for sale after failing to sell at auction (despite a bid of £6,980,000). (more…)
A £6.9 million home in “Britain’s Monte Carlo”
Whilst London has “Billionaires Row” in the form of Kensington Palace Gardens, the coastal county of Dorset has an equivalent in the form of the Sandbanks Peninsula – known locally as “Millionaires Row”. Property prices here are said to be the fourth highest on the planet (more…)
Matthew Steeples examines London venues charging the most for mineral water
A 500ml bottle of San Pellegrino will set you back just 63p in Tesco. At The Wellesley in Knightbridge, however, a customer, Edward Heaton, was left somewhat shocked when he got a bill of £75 for three bottles on 17th July. (more…)
Tony Blair disputes estimates of his wealth and claims that he just wants to make a difference
Last week, our former Prime Minister Tony Blair declared: “I’ve not changed. It’s not about making money. It’s about making a difference”. Curiously, for a man with so little interest in cash, he then went on to spend £50,000 on a lavish surprise party for his wife’s 60th birthday on Friday night. (more…)
Chelsea revealed to be London’s most popular residential address and not just “a place where servants live”
Whilst in March, estate agents Beauchamp Estates announced that Chelsea is “a place where servants live”; a more recent analysis by local firm Russell Simpson has found quite to the contrary and provides proof that it is “London’s most popular residential address”. (more…)
Norah Docker’s yacht, Shemara, has found a saviour in Charles Dunstone
When spendaholics Sir Bernard and Lady Docker took ownership of a 65-metre yacht, the Shemara, in the 1950s, little did they know that it would ultimately become part of their nemesis. The very same boat – after languishing for many years – has now been fully restored and is now in the ownership of the telecommunications titan Sir Charles Dunstone. (more…)
Two episodes of the Inspector Morse sequel, Lewis, were filmed at Thatched Cottage at Mile End Reach, Henley-on-Thames. The cottage – last sold in 2000 for £1,075,000 – is now on the market for £3,600,000 through Knight Frank.
A true “chocolate box” of a property, Thatched Cottage was built in 1897 and was at one point home to the Queen Mother’s cousin, Elizabeth Bowes Lyons. It currently comprises of 3,938 square foot of accommodation and has planning permission for a substantial extension that would take it to a grand total of 6,580 square foot.
The highlight of the property, however, is its 1-acre plot as it comes complete with 99 foot of frontage to the River Thames and “unspoilt views over the river and water meadows beyond”. The current owners moor two boats on the property’s private moorings.
In The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame famously wrote:
“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats”.
For anyone with such a passion, 5-6 bedroomed Thatched Cottage would be just the perfect spot.
Update: 21st February 2016: According to The Sun, the cottage has been sold to the comedian Russell Brand for circa £3.3 million.
As well known buy-to-let tycoons Fergus and Judith Wilson sell up, we ask: “Has the British property market peaked?”
Known as “Baron and Baroness Buy-to-Let”, Fergus and Judith Wilson were the kind of role models those who watch daytime shows such as Homes Under the Hammer aspired to be. With this week’s announcement that they’re selling their 900-house portfolio, could this be indication that the property market has reached its peak? (more…)
A Cumbrian mansion built by opium traders and more recently used by cannabis growers comes to the market for just £1.5 million
Built by the well-known Dent family, who made their fortune trading both tea and opium, Flass is a vast 23,000 square foot Palladian mansion on the outskirts of the village of Maulds Meaburn in Cumbria. Ironically it was also the setting for one of the country’s biggest drug raids in May 2012. (more…)
An English country house that sold for a £1 and a Scottish mansion with an asking price of just £1
Downton Abbey addicts take note: For the same price as a double cheeseburger on McDonald’s saver menu you could live like the Earl and Countess Grantham if you bought a Georgian mansion in Chirnside in Berwickshire (more…)