Stunning seven-bed country manor on sale for £2million – and it comes with its own LORDSHIP
A cool £2million buys you a stunning seven-bed country manor but also the title to call yourself lord or lady
EVER fancied being lord of the manor? Well now you can, although there is a catch – you need to have a spare £2million in your bank account.
That sum not only buys you a turreted country manor in Dorset but also its lordship title which dates back to 1555.
Arne House was originally built as a hunting lodge in the 1880s for politician Evelyn Cecil, the first Baron of Rockley.
But it is not a listed property and has recently undergone a radical refurbishment to bring the 5.5-acre site up to date.
Located in the hamlet of Arne near Wareham, Dorset, the sprawling manor has great views of Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island, the exclusive enclave of Sandbanks and the historic Corfe Castle.
The grounds are close to a nature reserve and concealed from the roadside by woodland.
The clandestine location made it a place of strategic importance for military chiefs searching for the best coastal positions to defend Britain's shores from possible Nazi invasion during the Second World War.
The war-time turrets and gun emplacements are still in place.
The original Arne Lordship was created more than 300 years before the house was built and was first given to royal courtier Edward Neville, who worked for Henry VIII and was a distant cousin.
The title became connected to the house after being bought by a private buyer and is one of only a few manorial titles in the country which are sold along with the property deeds.
Should you snap up the manor, you get to use the prefix lord or lady and can use it on documents such as your passport and driving licence.
Businesswoman Nathelie Tudberry, who currently owns the property, said: "I instantly fell in love with the privacy and the beauty of the spot after years of bustle and stress working in London.
"I've never been anywhere more magical. Even after 15 years living here I still notice something new every time I take a walk in the grounds.
"It is a chocolate box of novelty and beauty. It is like a secret world, a real Narnia."
For £2million, you get a 6,110 sq ft building made out of Purbeck stone which includes a grand hall, dining room, drawing room, kitchen/breakfast room, a 30ft family room, an office/games room with a cinema screen, a playroom, seven bedrooms and four bathrooms.
It also has a barbecue lodge in the garden for entertaining and a hot tub.
A pre-planning application has been agreed for an infinity swimming pool on tiers overlooking the building, a tennis court and a triple garage with office space.
Nigel Sheppard from estate agents Symonds and Sampson said: "How often can you buy a property and then actually become the lord of the manor? It is an incredibly rare opportunity.
"Arne House is a hidden gem. It is one of Dorset's best kept secrets.
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"Anyone walking nearby would have no idea such a beautiful building was so close.
"The views are breathtaking, the grounds are beautiful and the finish inside the property is modern and luxurious, while still incorporating some stunning period features.
"Arne House has everything a lord of the manor could dream of and because, unlike many similar designs, it is not grade listed – there is plenty of opportunity for someone to put their own stamp on it."
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