Grade-II-listed folly ‘haunted by the ghost of Charles I’s executioner’ goes …

Posted on by Listify Me

  • Local legend says folly is haunted by John Mayne who lived in a nearby cave in the 17th century
  • Folly was built in 1769 by former owner of Dinton Hall, Sir John Vanhattem
  • Was used to store fossils and some are incorporated in the limestone walls

By
Phil Vinter


PUBLISHED:

12:54 GMT, 26 October 2012


|

UPDATED:

14:56 GMT, 26 October 2012

A haunted ruin where the ghost of King Charles I’s executioner is said to roam at night is going under the hammer for £75,000.

Almost 250 years old the Grade II listed building has been described by estate agents as a folly – a building in the form of a castle or temple originally constructed to satisfy a fancy or conceit.

The ruins, in the village of Dinton, near Aylesbury, in Buckinghamshire are rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of John Mayne.

This haunted ruin where the ghost of King Charles I's executioner is said to roam at night is going under the hammer for £75,000

This haunted ruin where the ghost of King Charles I’s executioner is said to roam at night is going under the hammer for £75,000

Haunted Castle near Aylesbury up for sale

Haunted Castle near Aylesbury up for sale

The ruins, in the village of Dinton, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire are rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of John Mayne

Mayne, who was also known as the Dinton Hermit, used to live in a nearby cave in the 17th Century.

He was once secretary to Oliver Cromwell and local legend has it that he executed Charles I on January 30, 1649.

Mayne fell out of favour with Charles II during the restoration and was stripped of his wealth.

His ghost is now said to shelter within the crumbling walls of the octagonal folly constructed on a Saxon burial ground.

The octagonal folly was built on a Saxon burial ground by Sir John Vanhatten in 1769 to store his collection of fossils

The octagonal folly was built on a Saxon burial ground by Sir John Vanhatten in 1769 to store his collection of fossils

Originally the folly was three storeys high with a newel staircase in the east tower, a fireplace on each floor in the west tower and was used by servants

Originally the folly was three storeys high with a newel staircase in the east tower, a fireplace on each floor in the west tower and was used by servants

Much interest has already been shown in the ruins, which are due to be auctioned by Michael Anthony estate agents next month

Much interest has already been shown in the ruins, which are due to be auctioned by Michael Anthony estate agents next month

The folly was built in 1769 by the former owner of Dinton Hall, Sir John Vanhattem.

He used it to store his collection of fossils unearthed in the local chalk quarry and some are incorporated in the limestone walls.

Originally the folly was three storeys high with a newel staircase in the east tower, a fireplace on each floor in the west tower and was used by Sir John’s servants.

Michael Anthony estate agents who is auctioning the property say they have already received significant interest in it.

The sale of the folly will be held by public auction at 1pm on November 26 at the Holiday Inn, New Road, Aylesbury

The sale of the folly will be held by public auction at 1pm on November 26 at the Holiday Inn, New Road, Aylesbury

Michael Donnachie, a director at the firm, said that one pre-action offer had been received by a prospective buyer who envisaged a ‘Grand Design’ type of project.

Mr Donnachie said: ‘It would be very nice to see it renovated.

‘This would have to be done in consultation with English Heritage and the local council.

‘It stands in about two thirds of an acre so well worth developing.’

The sale will be held by public auction at 1pm on November 26 at the Holiday Inn, New Road, Aylesbury.

This painting of Charles I's execution in 1649 shows people surging forward to mop up the former King's blood. It was thought to have healing properties

Painting of Charles I’s execution in 1649 – local legend says John Mayne who was once secretary to Oliver Cromwell was man who wielded the axe

The comments below have been moderated in advance.



  • Newest


  • Oldest


  • Best rated


  • Worst rated

The buyer will be made to make thousands of pounds worth of building work, with strict specifications. So all in all it wont be the bargain its made out to be but it is an amazing building

Petitpois
,

Inthegarden,
26/10/2012 15:24

Report abuse

A beautiful thing. But what on earth could you do with it?!

PaulB
,

Northampton,
26/10/2012 15:24

Report abuse

What a fantastic history that we have here in this country,we moan and complain(and rightly so in some cases)but our richness in world history is number 1 in the world,i enjoyed reading this story.

sean
,

Pontypool, United Kingdom,
26/10/2012 15:22

Report abuse

My house is better than that. It has walls and a ceiling.

Baskerville
,

Uk,
26/10/2012 15:09

Report abuse

Article doesn’t mention the Thame to Aylesbury main road 15 metres from it!!! You’d need double glazing!!!!!!!!!!!

Mildred Mayhem
,

Bucks,
26/10/2012 15:07

Report abuse

A shockingly good bargain!####### Are you nuts? its a FOLLY meaning its an off scale piece of art that would be a joke of a project to turn into habitation. You would be better off using the stone to build something in better scale and purposely designed to live in. Or just leave it as it is a FOLLY!

Tony
,

Derbyshire,
26/10/2012 14:57

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.