Scandal-hit Profumo’s former home is a feast for the spies!

HOUSEHUNTERS are being offered a unique slice of British history after the home owned by the man at the centre of one of the 20th century’s biggest political scandals was put up for sale.

John Profumo, the minister whose infamous affair brought down the Macmillan government, fled from the press to Avon Carrow, his family home in Warwickshire, after the story broke.

The then Secretary of State for War (pictured) resigned in disgrace in 1963 when it emerged he had slept with 19-year-old model Christine Keeler, unaware she was also sleeping with Yevgeny Ivanov, a naval attaché at the Soviet Embassy and reportedly a spy.

The estate of Avon Carrow was sold to the Fourth Baron Profumo, father of John Profumo, in the 1920s.

Its moment of infamy would come decades later and villagers still tell stories of the press besieging Avon Dassett and bribing villagers for comments and gossip, before Profumo reputedly escaped through the grounds to hide away with a friend in Radway.

The property was built in 1896 as a hunting lodge by Cecil Boyle, a legendary British war hero who played both first-class cricket for Oxford University and rugby union for England.

He is commemorated by a stained glass etched window in the kitchen of the property, which was turned into a recreation mess for US servicemen during the Second World War.

The Grade II-listed property is now split into three homes. The central one, known as The Tower, is on the market for £1,200,000. It retains many period features yet offers contemporary living.

The grandeur is apparent on entering through the oak doorway.

There are oak panelled walls, sweeping balustrades, curved doors, original stained glass windows, arrowslit windows, exposed timbers, wooden flooring, a stone spiral staircase and nooks and crannies galore.

The property has recently undergone a sympathetic modernisation with a new kitchen, bathrooms, carpets, boiler and cast iron radiators, elegant light switches and brass door furniture.

The panelled drawing room has views over well maintained grounds to Edgehill in the distance and an ornate stone fireplace. The balcony was once used for the selection of the horses passing through the arch.

The first floor kitchen comprises bespoke Tom Howley units with marble work surfaces, integrated oven, hob, dishwasher, fridge freezer and microwave and mezzanine dining room.

The second floor principal bedroom has amazing views over the rolling Warwickshire countryside. On the same floor, the guest bedroom, with tongue and groove ceiling and stained glass windows, overlooks the central courtyard.

The two fourth floor bedrooms, approached up a stone spiral staircase, have the use of a bathroom and are both well proportioned. From the fourth floor landing the staircase continues to the roof terrace.

There are about seven acres of communal gardens, including a wide Chestnut avenue, tennis court with pavilion and extensive lawns used for croquet and bowls.

The property also has a single garage, along with ample communal gravelled parking.