Few figures have defined English literature, history and heritage, quite like the author Charles Dickens. Built between 1822 and 1825 by architect John White Jr., this now six-bedroom, Grade II-listed Harley Street townhouse is said to have inspired the famous novelist, with its history forming the backdrop, and backbone, to some of his most famous characters and plots.

Spread over an imposing 8,148 square feet, the characterful Marylebone property now boasts vast reception rooms, a practical passenger lift, a stunning private cinema and a gorgeous spa, to name just a few of its most appealing attributes. And it’s just as engaging from the outside, too. With its wide elegant brick façade, tall sash windows, first floor ornamental balcony and fanlight above the front door, it also benefits from an attractive private patio garden at the rear.

The mansion’s first owner was wealthy financier and merchant John Henry Deffell, a director of the East India Company. He and his wife Elizabeth were prominent socialites in Victorian London and, together, they appealed to acquaintances to make investments in India and Jamaica. In 1847, many of Deffell’s investments were found to be scams, and he fled Marylebone and took his own life, an event reported in the most-read newspapers of the day. It is these events that are said to have inspired Charles Dickens, who had himself worked as a journalist for the Morning Chronicle in the 1830s-40s.

In Little Dorrit, which was published in 1855, Mr Merdle, the father of the eponymous Amy Dorrit’s brother-in-law, is a wealthy financier and merchant who lives with his socialite wife in a grand mansion on Harley Street. In the book, Mr Merdle is “the man of the age” and many rich associates invest in his projects. When they are exposed as scams, Mr Merdle also takes his own life. Indeed, the publication of Little Dorrit led former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli to condemn the well-to-do merchants of Harley Street.

Now searching for its next (hopefully more reputable) owner, the townhouse offers significant accommodation across the lower ground, ground and four upper floors, alongside several outdoor enclaves, from an enchanting courtyard garden at lower ground level, a ground floor patio garden and a roof terrace on the first floor.

The intelligent configuration of the patio garden, kitchen and dining room creates a practical and impressive entertaining area, while on the ground floor, the reception hall, guest cloakroom, dining room, family kitchen and sitting room offer modern living spaces for all the family. On the first floor, the drawing room spans the entire width of the property with high ceilings, a beautiful Regency fireplace and parquet flooring with three French windows opening onto an ornamental balcony. Oak parquet flooring and a fully-fitted designer kitchen add to the unique appeal, while the dual-use sitting room, with its adjoining shower room, would allow for a guest bedroom suite.

The modern lower ground floor, a newer addition from the Dickens days, provides top-notch leisure amenities including a private cinema/media room, walk-in wine cellar and a health spa with a spectacular pool room complete with a mosaic-lined swimming pool. One of just a few homes on Harley Street with their own private pool, there is also a plunge pool, polished plaster walls and stunning feature lighting.

The spa also includes a changing room with WC, sauna, steam room and a mirrored and glass walled gym. Back-of-house facilities span a staff bedroom/sitting room with ensuite bathroom, a utility room and storage vaults. The top floor of the house, meanwhile, comprises a penthouse suite, with vaulted ceilings providing a spacious living room/studio with an open plan kitchen, bedroom with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom, and a further guest WC.
 
Jeremy Gee, managing director of Beauchamp Estates says: “This magnificent Victorian mansion on London’s Harley Street is one of the grandest townhouses in Marylebone and one of only a few houses on the street with a private swimming pool. Now fully modernised and beautifully presented, with all the lifestyle and wellness amenities one would expect from an important London residence, this exceptional mansion is a world away from anything remotely Dickensian.”  
 
Rosy Khalastchy, director and head of Beauchamp Estates St John’s Wood & Marylebone says: “This immaculately presented Marylebone mansion is located at the north end of Harley Street, which is highly sought after since it provides easy access to the wide, open spaces of adjacent Regent’s Park and the shops, restaurants, cafes and other amenities of Marylebone High Street. With extensive leisure amenities on the lower ground floor this wonderful mansion offers modern living in Marylebone at its very best.” 
 
Listed for £18.5m, visit beauchamp.com

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