Any reference to a listed building is likely to conjure up the image is of a period property of architectural interest, yet the legislation covers buildings of architectural and historic importance. Whether a listed building is Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II the emphasis, understandably, seems to be on the architecture of the property, its style and fabric, yet the history of a house and its owners can be far more intriguing and harder to protect. The relationship of a building to the nations social, economic, cultural or military history can throw a completely different light on our understanding of the past. It can well be described as a 3D experience which enables us to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors or heroes.
Whether it be visiting Churchill’s Chartwell or Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top a visitor can be drawn in to the building and its surroundings and is able to experience the views and details that became so familiar to their owners. The same too applies to houses that were homes to composers, writers, artists and many others national figures. Two properties currently on the market which embrace both architectural and historical importance are Clarendon Cottage, in Gentleman’s Row, Enfield, listed Grade II* and 2 Minor Canon Row in Rochester, one of seven Grade I properties in a terrace overlooking the cathedral.
Clarendon Cottage on the edge of Enfield once fronted the famous royal hunting grounds of Enfield Chase and is now one of the most picturesque and iconic historic houses in the area. The five-bedroomed house dates from the 15th century and was gradually remodelled and extended over the centuries. In 1825 it became the country retreat for the celebrated essayist, poet and antiquarian Charles Lamb who moved there with his sister Mary. It became a favourite meeting place for a number of the country’s leading poets of the day including Coleridge, Hood and Wordsworth. Asking price £1,350,000.
2 Minor Canon Row is one of a group of seven Georgian house in the cathedral precinct in Rochester originally built for the Minor Canons. They attracted the attention of Charles Dickens who describes them as “wonderfully quaint” and goes on to comment on the front elevations “with odd little porches over the doors, like sounding boards over pulpits” in his unfinished last novel ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’. Dickens’s Reverend Septimius Crisparkle was described as living in No 1 Minor Canon Row. Next door No 2 was the actual birthplace of one of this country’s most celebrated actresses Dame Sybil Thorndike. Asking price £975,000.
We at Jackson-Stops specialise in representing the owners of of historic homes. We understand the precise tastes of serious buyers who look for a dedicated platform that specialises in period homes, historic house, and listed buildings. Visit our collection of
historic homes for sale and get in touch with one of
local branches today.
Dawn Carritt
Director
020 7664 6646
17th April, 2018.
