ESCAPE ROUTE

IF YOU’RE a pretender to the throne and running from the King’s soldiers, how handy it is to find a property that can offer you access to a hidden escape route to avoid imprisonment and maybe even death. This huge pastel blue house perched on the clifftop of Tenby’s iconic harbour has a secret tunnel below as part of the town’s network of medieval underground passages.

It is believed that this house on Crackwell Street stands on the site where the property’s underground tunnel in the garden was used by Henry Tudor, aged just 14, and his uncle Jasper Tudor to flee the country to safety in Brittany.

Henry later returned from France and eventually defeated King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 to be crowned King Henry VII.

The five-storey Pembrokeshire property for sale called Hafod y Môr proudly displays on its facade a plaque from the Tenby Civic Society that marks the site’s importance in royal history.

It reads: “It is said that Henry Tudor escaped through a tunnel at this site in 1471 when he fled to France.”

According to website tudortimes, it is thought that the Tenby tunnels were part of an escape plan hatched by Jasper Tudor and the then Mayor of Tenby and good friend, Thomas White.

It is believed by many that their escape began in White’s cellar and although the original house has long since been replaced by a Boots the Chemist shop, the cellar space remains and can still be accessed.

From the cellar there is a door that then provides access to Tenby’s hidden tunnels, and the future King’s escape begins.

According to the civic society’s plaque, the site of the Hafod y Môr house was Henry’s final stage of his Tenby tunnel adventure.

Who knows, if these tunnels didn’t exist then maybe Henry would have been caught and the Tudor dynasty might never have happened?

Or maybe the great escape is a colourful local legend that has captivated residents and visitors to the town for centuries?

Whatever did happen, there’s no denying that the pretty, multi-terraced garden at the rear of the Tenby harbour house for sale definitely has a tunnel.

The garden is surrounded by mesmerising views to admire while you, and centuries ago maybe Henry Tudor, find the path leading to the secret tunnel and boathouse below.

The current stone boathouse is believed to have been built in 1848 and is a substantial proposition.

According to the estate agent selling the whole property package, the boathouse has two spacious chambers and an impressive head height of almost six metres.

It boasts vaulted ceilings, sail lofts where sailmakers in the past would have worked on docked ships, and a castellated roofline that gives the building even more character.

This battlement on the top of the boathouse provides the perfect terrace above to pull up a chair and admire the sea views from your own private spot in the garden.

During its history the building has also been used as a smokehouse.

The estate agent suggests the former boathouse could have potential to be sensitively redeveloped into residential or commercial use, subject to planning approval, of course.

Whatever happens to the boathouse, it provides quick and easy access from the main house to the harbour slipway and beach just a few steps away.

All of these incredible and historic structures come with the sale of this handsome house which can genuinely boast some truly unique garden features.

The current Grade II listed house on this historic site is believed to have been built in the 1790s as a merchant’s residence.

The property still boasts many original features, including servant call bells, a dumb waiter, cellars, a sweeping central staircase, huge sash windows, fireplaces and timber floors.

Arguably the best feature of the house is the balcony, enticing you outside to enjoy the breathtaking sea, beach and coastal views if you haven’t the energy to wander down into the terraced garden.

Current owner Malcolm Stacey has been so fascinated by his house and its site, and the unique properties and history of the town, that it inspired him to write the thriller novel Black Swan whilst living here, and looking out of any of the coastal windows it’s not hard to see how his surroundings induced the creative juices to flow.

Every window frames an iconic Tenby harbour and sea view.

Picture perfect pastel fronted properties, golden sands and sparkling sea, and the boats and buildings of the harbour including Tenby castle, all combine to create spectacular views.

Enter the property from the street and you find yourself in the middle of the clifftop home, with options of going up or downstairs.

On this floor there is a sitting room at the front of the property which would have been, at the time of the house being built, a room where the owner of the home would have received visitors.

Down the hall there is a drawing room, which features a bay window with an incredible view of the picturesque harbour and surely an obvious spot to sit in a comfy chair and watch the seaside world go by outside.

There is a characterful kitchen complete with original walk-in pantry, dumb waiter and servants call bell to discover, as well as a separate utility room.

Down the stairs and there is a basement workshop waiting to welcome a range of DIY tools or a new life as a media and games room.

Up to the first floor and a spacious lounge is arguably the heart of this home and its outstanding views.

This is the room where French doors open out directly onto the balcony, a space where the iconic views can be truly appreciated to their maximum.

The balcony extends the full width of the property and has timber decking and ornate cast iron railings.

There is also a bathroom on this first floor as well as a study that could easily become a bedroom if six aren’t enough for a new owner.

Up to the second floor and there are two bedrooms to investigate, should you ever manage to tear yourself away from the entrancing balcony views.

As you might have come to expect from this unique home, each storey has its quirky features.

The rooms on this second level are accessed via a series of half-landings which adds even more character to the space and also creates the third level.

Here there are three bedrooms and a bathroom and up the stairs for the final time gets you to bedroom number six on the fourth floor.

It’s rare to find one of the famous, frontline colourful properties in Tenby with such a unique history for sale.

So, anyone looking to own a slice of Britain’s history, inside and outside, and has a hefty buying budget of £1.25m will surely be beguiled by this five-storey house with hidden tunnel, boathouse, and unbeatable harbour sea views.

For further information about the property call estate agent John Francis at their Tenby branch on 01834 740051.