![]() On the death of the fifth Baronet in 1844, the estate and Baronetcy passed to his cousin, Sir William Eden, the fourth Eden of Maryland Baronet, who became High Sheriff of Durham in 1848.Īnthony Eden was born there in 1897 and later served as a cabinet minister before becoming prime minister from 1955 to 1957. It was commissioned by Baronet Robert Johnson Eden, to replace his 16th-century manor, and designed by architect Ignatius Bonomi. Windlestone Hall was built in 1835 and instantly became one of the region's grandest stately homes. The U-shaped home has a billiard room, a library with a dummy bookcase leading to its gallery, stables, separate staff quarters and many original marble fireplaces.Ī spokesman for English Heritage said it was of the ‘most historically significant buildings in the North East’, adding: ‘We are pleased new owners have been found and look forward to working with them and the council.’įrom Baronets to blackboards: An extension was added on to Windlestone when parts of it became a school between 19 However, the proposals were rejected by English Heritage.Īfter the deal fell through the council began looking at alternative options when it received an expression of interest which finally led to its sale. 'As the hall is a grade II* listed building, we were obliged by law to protect and maintain it while it was under our ownership. In 2006 Durham County Council, faced with an £81,000 annual bill to maintain the hall, decided to sell up to a property developer who planned to turn the hall into luxury flats. His family sold the hall in the 1920s and it was later used as a prisoner of war camp before becoming a school for youngsters with emotional and behavioural difficultiesĮnduring designs: Map showing the listed buildings in and around the 19th-century homeīut following the need for extensive repairs the school relocated several years ago to a purpose-built site two miles away, leaving the hall empty. The 19th century hall was first built in 1835, incorporating a section of the rear wing which dated back to 1750.ĭesigned by architect Ignatius Bonomi and built for Robert Thompson Eden, the property was the 1897 birthplace of the former Tory prime minister Sir Anthony Eden who led the country between 19. I think the sale for this price is totally wrong.’ ‘Even in today’s climate the land itself should be worth at least £4,000 an acre making the parkland alone worth £100,000. It is a massive, massive property, with ornate period features. ‘The council was offered £1.5million in the same year, but they turned this offer down. Born at the hall: Anthony Eden was born at Windlestone in 1897, before going on to become Conservative Prime Minister in the fiftiesĪnd while the picturesque home, located near the County Durham village of Rushyford, is said to need urgent repairs costing an estimated £3million one critic insisted the council had still sold it far too cheaply.Ĭounty Councillor John Shuttleworth said : ‘The property was on the market for a figure approaching £2million in 2007.
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