ONE FOLLY YOU WON’T REGRET

But like so many other grand estates during the early 20th century, it fell into disrepair.

An attempt was made to save it during the 1950s, but it wasn’t until more recent times that a detailed restoration was completed by a trust created to help raise the £4.5 million needed to undertake the threeyear project, which was finished in 2013.

Hadley Tower is near Tonbridge in Kent and is a rare Grade 1* listed building. It was converted into a four-bedroom home arranged over five very vertiginous floors, all linked together by two spiral staircases.

It’s for sale through struttandparker.com for £2 million.

The case came to court after a property developer attempted to dislodge Harry from the site during the redevelopment of nearby Athlone House, a huge Victorian villa.

The story inspired film producers to make a feelgood movie about Harry called Hampstead starring Diane Keaton and Brendan Gleeson.

Harry’s life story within the plot was spiced up somewhat to include an affair with an American widow.

He died in February last year aged 88 and is believed to have left the strip of land to a charity, which is now selling it via auction. It is likely to fetch several million pounds.

Lot 118 will be sold off on the June 18 at an auction to be held at London’s Marriott Hotel on Grosvenor Square.

Call Savills on 020 7824 9091.