It’s a sad time for Downton Abbey fans.Not only is the hit TV show winding down to its sixth and final season, butthey’ve missed their opportunity to nab Violet Crawley’shouse.
The 329-year-old ‘Byfleet Manor’sold in September 2015 to Noel Hayden, co-founder and CEO ofgambling software developer Gamesys.
Hayden paid £5.9 million (AUS$12 million) for the property.
The imposing entrance lives up to its small screen presence. Picture: Savills
Downton Abbey fanswill find it hard to picture the sitting room without the acid-tongued Dowager Countess, played by Maggie Smith, in it. But the property has a rich history that predates even the Dowager herself.
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The site was used asa royal hunting lodge in the 1300s, and later as country house granted by Henry VIII to Catherine of Aragon.
In more recent years, the home has been therestoration project of businesswomanJulie Hutton, who has made a career of buying and refurbishing houses.
Many an entertaining dialogue has taken place between Violet and Isobel Crawley in this very room.Picture:Byfleet Manor
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Hutton lived at Byfleet Manor for more than a decade, slowly making repairs and improvements and eventually starting her own afternoon tea business inviting Downtonfans over for traditional devonshire tea on vintage bone china.
Apart from Hutton’s sympathetic Victorian touches, the houseas it stands today – ballroom and all – was built in 1686.
Included in sale: Magical gardens, meandering river.Picture: Byfleet Manor
The house has more than 500sqm of living space, eight bedrooms, four reception rooms and grounds spread across 7.6 hectares, including an inlet of the River Wey and a private island.
Hayden has given no indication of his future plans for the property, and whether he will continue Hutton’s business legacy.
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