16

View
comments

It’s not cheap at £7million but whoever buys this exclusive Georgian mansion is buying more than just a home – they’re buying the exact same view depicted in John Constable’s £23million painting Salisbury Cathedral From The Meadows.

The Grade I listed Walton Canonry is on the south side of Cathedral Close boasts a view of the River Avon, backing onto the meadow where John Constable took studies for his famous 1831 painting of the cathedral.

The property agents say they’ll need to find someone with deep pockets to buy the 8,147 square foot mansion with 1.6 acres, on the market now for £6.95million.

But it’s nothing compared to the £23.1million that the Tate paid in 2013 for the painting, inspired by oils he painted on many visits to the exclusive area in the 1820s, now on show at The National Museum of Wales, Cardiff.

Expensive taste: This historic house in one of Britain’s most exclusive postcodes is up for sale for £6.95million. Walton Canonry has been home to prominent figures of the church and the arts for nearly 300 years but is now on the market with property agent Savills

Inspiring view: The incredible view of Salisbury Cathedral from the front of the 18th century home that comes complete with 1.6 acres

Work of art: The painting inspired by a view from the meadow that was bought by The Tate for 23.1million in May 2013

Built around 1720, it was named after Isaac Walton, son of the writer Izaak who wrote The Compleat Angler and lived in the medieval house that occupied the site beforehand.

Cathedral Close was frequented by Constable in the 1820s after his close personal friend, the Bishop of Salisbury, commissioned him for another painting, Salisbury Cathedral From The Bishop’s Grounds.

But he later created the more dramatic painting from the meadow with an ominous sky that many art experts believe reflected the turbulent state of his life at the time.

Walton Canonry is also known as Whistler’s House, because it was home to the prominent 20th century painter Rex Whistler, who leased the home and featured many local landmarks in his work.

The first freehold owner was Lesley MacDonagh, one of the City’s top legal figures, who bought it in 2007 for £3.7million and after a painstaking renovation, made a £2.55million profit when she sold it for £6.3million to the current owners who run a charitable foundation.

Through the keyhole: This is one of the luxurious rooms in Walton Cannonry, stylishly decorated in off-white with gold and wood trim

The wood-panelled walls are an insight into the tastes of the wealthy and powerful people throughout history who have lived in this classic home. Among the previous owners are artist Rex Whistler and author Leslie Thomas

Pristine gardens from the back of the property. With a water feature, perfectly trimmed hedges and paths arched with brick and trellis, the garden is one of the luxurious home’s best features

The house, which is 8,147 sq ft, has six bedrooms, two kitchens, a drawing room, dining room, study, office, library, media room and wine cellar, as well as a separate guest wing with its own sitting room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

It has spectacular views on both sides – towards the cathedral at the front and at the back the landscaped gardens lead to the River Avon and the water meadows beyond. 

Charles Stone from Savills, who are selling the property, said the house has a broad appeal, but the new owner will need deep pockets.

He said houses in the close are so popular because you get the best of town and country living.

Mr Stone added: ‘It is quite rare to get a house like this on the market. There are probably about half a dozen houses of this value in the close.

‘Some are still leasehold but a lot of the bigger ones now tend to be freehold.

‘They all tend to front onto the river, which is nice, and a lot of them are very architecturally beautiful, which makes them very popular.

‘But more than anything, what you’re really buying is a slice of town and country.

‘You’ve got the benefits of being within the enclave of the beautiful cathedral close but you’re only a moment’s walking distance into the city where you have access to all the amenities.

‘And if you look the other way you’ve got beautiful gardens, the river and the water meadows, that’s one of the reasons they are often very sought-after.

‘This particular house is presented in immaculate order, everything is completely up-to-date and renovated, without ruining the character.

‘It has quite a broad appeal – perhaps someone from London, or an ex-pat coming back from abroad. It could suit someone downsizing from a big estate or appeal to someone with a growing family. 

Front of house: The extravagant home on the market for £6.95million is one of half a dozen in the close with a similar value

Share or comment on this article