After leaving his post as Prime Minister of the UK for the first time (he held the position from 1940 to 1945, and again from 1951 to 1955), Winston Churchill shut the door of 10 Downing Street and took up residence in Kensington instead, at 27 Hyde Park Gate. In a funny twist of timing fate, the house is now up for sale, at the exact same moment that the UK heads to the polls and a move to Number 10 could be on the cards for other politicians.
27 Hyde Park Gate is a beautiful property, with several formal living spaces and seven bedrooms, as well as a lot of history. Winston Churchill originally owned the house next door, 28 Hyde Park Gate, using it as his office before buying 27 (for the rather galling amount of £7,000, which would be £245,000 in today's money) and combining the two houses into one sprawling home. After his death in 1965, the house was sold as one unit but it has since been separated back into two and it is 27, the extension, which is for sale.
There is much to love about the house, not least its utterly charming garden – a rarity in such a central part of London. There are beautiful period details throughout and a double-height living space – currently used as a dining room – which is particularly impressive. The house is known as a ‘low slung’ house, meaning the ceilings are lower than usual for a Victorian property, but as it takes up over 5,000 square feet, there is ample space within the house.
The house is Grade II-listed and Hyde Park Gate – though enviably central in its location – is a quiet, residential street. It is quieter now that Winston Churchill has vacated the premises, as back then, photographers were a regular sight, especially on such occasions as when Churchill returned from a trip to Monte Carlo with a broken leg.
Political connections or not, it's a truly lovely London house and a rare chance to buy a house with such charm and history. Of course, as a luxury central London house, it goes without saying that it comes with a gym.
The house is for sale with Knight Frank for £19,500,000
