This seven-bedroom detached home and the remains of an historic tower form one of the most unique properties currently listed for sale.
The Grade II listed home is situated in unspoilt rural surroundings. It has a guide price of £2.6million and is marketed by Jackson–Stops via OnTheMarket.com.
Although the property is called Warblington Castle, part of the gateway tower is all that remains of the grand fortified Tudor house in Havant, Hampshire.
In the 15th Century, the castle was owned by the 16th Earl of Warwick, Richard Neville, famously known as the King Maker for his role in the War of the Roses.
After his death, the property passed into the hands of the 17th Earl of Warwick, Edward Plantagenet, who was subsequently executed by Henry VII following a military victory during the Battle of Bosworth, and the property was confiscated by the Crown.
Edward’s sister, Margaret, later married Richard Pole who became a Knight of the Garter and Margaret became a confidante and lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon – Henry VIII’s first wife. After Catherine’s marriage to Henry VIII, Margaret’s fortunes prospered and she was granted a title in her own right, the Countess of Salisbury, with Warblington Castle and the family’s lands returned to her.
It was Margaret who set about building a newly fortified manor house and moat, the remains of which can still be seen in the grounds today. Margaret was a devout Catholic and her son Reginald, who later became Archbishop of Canterbury under Mary I, became a very public opponent to Henry’s marriage to Anne Boleyn.
The subsequent turmoil of the reformation and Margaret’s Catholicism later led to her being accused of treason. Warblington Castle was confiscated by the Crown again and Margaret was imprisoned in the Tower of London for some years before being executed at the age of 67 in 1541.
The property was then granted to Sir Richard Cotton, and because the family was loyal to the Crown it remained in their possession until the political upheaval of the Civil War in 1642 when it was destroyed by Oliver Cromwell’s forces.
Just one turret was left standing, apparently to aid navigation for ships in the nearby Langstone Channel.
Today the tower, part of the gate and drawbridge support still survive and are Grade II listed, also scheduled as an Ancient Monument.
The remains of the moat can still be seen in the surrounding grounds.
Today, the main property is a 17th century house which has enormous character, including some beautiful exposed stonework, stone flagged floors and exposed beams. Generous hallways and landings lead to light and spacious rooms which despite the age of the house lend themselves easily to contemporary family living.
The property is surrounded by around four acres of gardens and grounds close to the shores of Langstone Harbour. Warblington Castle is within a very short distance of Portsmouth with good rail links to London.
