A 12th century manor house that was once the summer residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury has gone on the market for £3.5 million.
Addington House, in Croydon, south London, comprises six bedrooms, three bathrooms, kitchen/ breakfast room, utility room, five reception rooms, sauna, cinema, classroom, wine cellar, old bakery and a garage.
To the rear of the property, there is a large pool and terrace overlooking the garden.
The manor house was the summer home of several archbishops such as Charles Manners-Sutton, William Howley, John Bird Sumner, Charles Thomas Longley, Archibald Campbell Tait and Edward White Benson from 1805 until 1896.
It is believed that a house has been on this site since at least the 12th century.
Addington House is the only ancient house of the manor of Addington to remain standing after it was sold in separate lots in 1803.
Addington House, in Croydon, south London was once the holiday home of the Archbishop of Canterbury and has gone on the market for £3.5m
To the rear of the luxurious property in the south of the capital, there is a large pool and terrace overlooking the garden
The home boasts six bedrooms once home several archbishops such as Charles Manners-Sutton, William Howley, John Bird Sumner, Charles Thomas Longley, Archibald Campbell Tait and Edward White Benson from 1805 until 1896
The property has some period features such as exposed ceiling beams to provide a warm, cosy environment for its owner
The dining area in the grade II-listed property is both spacious and well-lit, and a perfect place to entertain guests
The luxurious six-bed property in Croydon boasts a number of unique facilities to enjoy, including a sauna and massage area
There is a classic inglenook fireplace in one of the reception rooms at the property, which is available to buy for a cool £3.5m
There is a cinema room in the property complete with luxurious, comfortable seating and a large projector screen
The Grade II listed property is steeped with medieval history and once held a strange obligation to the monarchy.
The holder of the manor was required to provide a specific service to the monarch and had to serve a dish of dillegrout, which is a spiced chicken porridge, to each new sovereign at their coronation.
This tradition happened from Henry II’s coronation in 1154 and was served at every coronation since until the coronation of Edward VII in 1901.
The manor was also used by Henry VIII as part of his hunting grounds and he resided in a nearby residence that stood 492 feet from the farmhouse when hunting.
It is also believed that subterranean tunnels link Addington Manor to Wickham Court which Henry VIII used to reach Anne Boleyn when she was staying with her family at Wickham Court.
The owners of the property suspect there is a bricked-up tunnel in the second basement that has not been explored further.
In 1953, Addington House was leased to the Royal School of Church Music to house choirboys assembled from all over Britain to sing at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
A birds-eye view of Addington House and its grounds shows the sheer scale of the site, which has now gone on the market
The property is the perfect blend of contemporary and period charm and boasts three luxurious bathrooms across the house
Addington House is the only ancient house of the manor of Addington to remain standing after it was sold in separate lots in 1803
The Grade II listed property is steeped with medieval history and once held a strange obligation to the monarchy
The holder of the manor was required to provide a specific service to the monarch and had to serve a dish of dillegrout, which is a spiced chicken porridge, to each new sovereign at their coronation
The manor was also used by Henry VIII as part of his hunting grounds and he resided in a nearby residence that stood 492 feet from the farmhouse when hunting
In 1953, Addington House was leased to the Royal School of Church Music to house choirboys assembled from all over Britain to sing at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Jason Corbett, Director of UK Country Office at Sotheby’s International Realty, said: ‘The house may be in the London area, but it feels much more rural – our gardens here are still visited by deer, pipistrelle bats and our resident owls, whom still have their homes in the surrounding ancient woodlands
Jason Corbett, Director of UK Country Office at Sotheby’s International Realty, said: ‘The house may be in the London area, but it feels much more rural – our gardens here are still visited by deer, pipistrelle bats and our resident owls, whom still have their homes in the surrounding ancient woodlands. It’s a very charming place.
‘At just over 7008 sq. ft (651 sq m), this superb Grade II listed house from the seventeenth century with later additions, has all the contemporary and modern touches creating the perfect blend for today’s family living.
‘With five reception rooms and a kitchen/breakfast room on the ground floor, there really is a room for everyone.
‘Outside, the gardens are extensive with a picturesque blend of lawn, woodland, hedging with a heated swimming pool and entertaining area. The house is approached through electric privacy gates to garaging and additional parking.’
Addington House is on the market with Sotheby’s International Realty for £3,500,000.