Is there a seal of approval more credible than that of a former Queen of England? An historic Tudor manor house in Oxfordshire, with a past as intriguing and full of character as the sweeping rooms and lustrous gardens of its impressive 500-year-old estate, Broughton Hall, which has just come on the market with Cotswold agent Butler Sherborn for £3,750,000, will be attracting a special type of buyer indeed.

Having been in the same family for 21 years, the sprawling residence is split over three floors and includes a striking driveway, tennis court, and beautiful gardens, which you can just imagine cocooning debonaire gents and debutantes as they strolled around its lush, mature greenery.

Set in around 4.6 acres, in the picturesque hamlet of Broughton Poggs, the star of the show here is a nine-bedroom main house. Boasting a slew of original features from its majestic reception hall, drawing room, and panelled library, to a wine cellar, the whimsical property is flooded with natural light via large windows and glass-panelled doors, and has an old-world allure running through every nook and cranny. The colourful, bold interiors are in keeping with the building’s character, with large freestanding bathtubs, vibrant floral wall coverings, and a sky-blue kitchen just adding to its charm.

Of course, Broughton Hall’s history is as colourful as its decor. Granted to Anne of Cleves, the fourth wife of Henry VIII, following their divorce, the Hall was originally created for the infamous Thomas Cromwell, whose downfall came after he arranged the King’s fleeting nuptials to the aforementioned former Queen of England. But the Tudors weren’t the only famous faces to find respite at the property. Take a wander down the Queen’s Walk, an enchanting path that leads to a stone pavilion, and you’ll understand just why Lewis Caroll was inspired by its beauty when writing Alice in Wonderland.

Currently owned by human rights lawyer Karen Todner (who has represented high-profile clients including Tom Hayes, Gary McKinnon and Lauri Love) and her partner Ian Jobling, a leading criminal barrister, the couple bought the property in the early 2000s after winning a weekend away in The Cotswolds.

“We had the best weekend and completely fell in love with the area, so much so that on our return to London we started looking at relocating,” says Todner. “Broughton Hall was featured as ‘Home of the Week’ in the Saturday Telegraph, and within three months it was our home. It’s too big for us now that the children have moved out, so we are looking to downsize within the area, but it’s been a wonderful house for our family.” 

Listed for £3,750,000, visit butlersherborn.co.uk

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