The oldest house in England, once lived in by the Conqueror’s brother….

The Great Hall, Luddesdown Court

Well, it was lived in by Odo, that’s for sure, but “The assertion that a particular house is the oldest in the country is as impossible to prove as it is to refute, but Luddesdown Court probably has as good a claim as any – and it’s now on the market. “

“The sales details for historic, Grade I-listed Luddesdown Court, near Cobham, Kent – currently on the market with Knight Frank at a guide price of £3.5 million – suggest that the former manor house, which was held by William the Conqueror’s half-brother, Odo, until his disgrace in 1082, may be ‘the oldest continually occupied house in the country’.

It’s a snip at only £3.5 million, or thereabouts. It’s certainly a beautiful place, and I’d like to live there, but the price tag is beyond me. But please go to the catalogue to read more and see some of the delights.

PS: I don’t think Odo had a dip in the swimming pool…unless he comes back on the sly.


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  1. It reminds me of another lovely Norman house, Green Knowe (yes,the one in the famous kids’ books.) I’ve been lucky enough to be inside for an event.

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  2. Glenis Brindley Avatar
    Glenis Brindley

    What an absolutely glorious old house. I’m not really bothered whether it’s the oldest house in England, if I had that kind of money, I’d be seriously interested in having a look with a view to buying it. It’s beautiful, and if only walls could talk, what stories they would tell!

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  3. […] Sell part of the Tower? Good heavens. The thing is, what price would the estate agent hope to place on the flat? I mean, it’s a setting that’s second to none! I imagine too that a few very influential personages from the past might pitch in to block (pun entirely intentional!) such a transaction. […]

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  4. […] Country Life article has much more information and numerous illustrations. Alas, I can only look and […]

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