National Trust put Grade II-listed country mansion used as the backdrop for Lily James wartime drama the Pursuit of Love on sale for £2m
- Impressive Philipps House near Salisbury has been empty since 2015
The National Trust has put a Grade II listed country mansion, which was used as the backdrop for the wartime drama the Pursuit of Love starring Lily James, on sale for £2million.
Philipps House, located on the outskirts of the village of Dinton near Salisbury, has been empty since 2015.
Last year, heritage bosses tried and failed to lease the property in the Nadder Valley to ‘a third party’. The National Trust has been selling off parts of the estate for years, due to the enormous cost of maintaining it.
Despite once being described as ‘one of the finest houses of the period’, its Palladian pillars are appearing weathered and some of its ceiling is crumbling.
The new owner of the Neo-Grecian country mansion, which has 26 bedrooms and three beautiful state rooms, will be granted a 125-year lease by the National Trust.
Quintessentially English Philipps House, located on the outskirts of the village of Dinton near Salisbury, has been empty since 2015
The National Trust has put a Grade II listed country mansion, which was used as the backdrop for the wartime drama the Pursuit of Love starring Lily James (pictured)
The new owner of the country mansion will be granted a 125-year lease by the National Trust
The National Trust’s initial plans to lease the property to a third party in 2022 did not prove ‘fruitful’
Built in 1817 as Dinton House for William Wyndham, a member of the landed gentry, in whose family it remained until the First World War.
The impressive property has been used as a filming locations for dramas such as Amazon’s Cormoran Strike: Lethal White (2019) and the BBC’s The Pursuit of Love (2021).
The opportunity to buy the quintessentially English mansion, for the price of some London flats, has been described as ‘highly unusual’ by an insider.
A source from the trust said it could be a reflection of the body’s desperation to get rid of the property – which was gifted to the National Trust in 1943.
The new owners, who will have three self-contained apartments as well as numerous outbuildings, will have to regenerate the mansion which is ‘in need of renovation’ according to estate agent Strutt & Parker.
Maintaining the large property will also prove costly – with some suggesting millions will be needed.
Experts have warned that the buyer should be a ‘seasoned investor’ who ‘understands the challenges that come with a listed building and a short lease, but also sees the potential’.
Despite once being described as ‘one of the finest houses of the period’, its Palladian pillars are appearing weathered and some of its ceiling is crumbling
The impressive property has been used as a filming locations for dramas such as Amazon’s Cormoran Strike: Lethal White (2019) and the BBC ‘s The Pursuit of Love (2021)
Maintaining the large property will prove costly – with some suggesting millions will be needed
The Neo-Grecian country mansion has 26 bedrooms and three beautiful state rooms
Just four and a half acres of private lawn and woodland come with the property, the remainder of the land will continue to be availble to the public – this is due to Dinton parish council campaigning to keep the land for walkers.
Annabel Blackett, an associate in Strutt & Parker’s country house department, told The Times the guide price is at a ‘realistic level’ to ensure they find the right buyer.
She added: ‘We have already seen a high level of interest since launching to the market.’
The agency has suggested that buyers could use the mansion as a wedding venue or other commercial interests.
A National Trust spokesperson said: ‘The National Trust has a responsibility to maintain and conserve its places.
New owners will have to regenerate the mansion which is ‘in need of renovation’ according to estate agent Strutt & Parker
The estate agency has suggested that buyers could use the mansion as a wedding venue or other commercial interests
A floorplan of the mansion and sel contained buildings located in the Nadder Valley
Just four and a half acres of private lawn and woodland come with the property, the remainder of the land will continue to be available to the public
Estate agents said they have already seen a ‘high level’ of interest in the property
‘Since 2015, when the last tenants moved out of Philipps House, we have been exploring how we can find a viable long-term solution for the property.
‘Initial plans to lease the property to a third party in 2021 did not prove fruitful. We have re-appraised a number of options and have appointed an agent to seek expressions of interest from potential tenants, both residential and commercial.
‘We will then choose a tenant who can best ensure the future of Philipps House.
‘Any plans will ensure that public access to the parkland continues, and these will be discussed with representatives of the local community.’
Source: Read Full Article