Historic home has royal connections
A HOUSE said to have royal connections has gone up for sale.
Bursting with history, an eightbed in Kegworth – just 11 miles from Nottingham city centre – has gone on the market for £1,950,000.
Long before William and Kate or Meghan and Harry grabbed the attention of the country, Henry VIII was causing a stir with, among other antics, his six marriages.
It is his sixth wife, Catherine Parr, that connects the royal household with this local property.
Named The Hermitage, it was during the 16th century that the property was owned by the Parr family, and used as a hunting box.
While it is thought that Catherine Parr would never have lived in the house, the estate agency practice selling it, Thomas James, writes that she would almost certainly have visited. The agent adds another interesting nugget of the house’s history.
It was also said to have been used as a religious retreat for Church dignitaries who were travelling between Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.
But even if you’re not impressed by the royal connections or history of this house, there is still plenty to spark your attention.
Close to the banks of the River
Soar, the house stands in around five acres of gardens and grounds, which even includes a water garden with hot spring that Thomas James Estate Agents says: “We are told a former owner of the house swam here each morning.”
An impressive tree-lined driveway, a pump house and potting shed are all features, as well as several further outhouses which the agent says are currently used for garaging but could be converted back to stabling.
Features of The Hermitage itself are numerous.
The building dates back several hundred years and retains a number of “nods” to the past – while it has also been added to over the years.
There is ancient stonework, mullioned windows, oak floors, beams, bottle racks – even the attic rooms are of interest. These old servants’ quarters are said to include a “roof within the roof with old roof tiles intact”.
More recently the property has been reroofed and rewired, and a new central heating boiler fitted.
Accommodation is extensive and runs over three floors, plus there are cellars and outbuildings offering a total floor area of around 7,803 sq ft (725 sq m).
Set in stunning grounds, and surrounded by rolling countryside, The Hermitage provides potential for a variety of uses.
Those interested in purchasing it should seek out further details from the selling agent.