A picturesque Hampshire mansion steeped in royal history, Warblington Castle, lists for £2.25 million. This seven-bedroom estate includes Tudor castle ruins, a swimming pool, four acres of gardens, and a dry moat, all just an eight-minute walk from the beach.
Deep Roots in English History
Warblington Castle traces its origins to the 11th century and counts among its past owners Richard Neville, the influential Warwick the Kingmaker during the Wars of the Roses. In 1515, King Henry VIII gifted the property to Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, granddaughter of Neville and a rare peeress in her own right.
Pole served as lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon and built the striking Tudor tower still visible amid the ruins. The hexagonal gatehouse tower, archway, and dry moat endure as remnants of the original fortified structure, which Parliamentary forces demolished during the English Civil War in January 1643. This tower now guides ships through the nearby Langstone Channel.
Henry VIII later reclaimed the estate in 1551 and bestowed it upon Sir Edward Cotton. Margaret Pole met a tragic end with a botched execution at the Tower of London, her Plantagenet heritage posing a perceived threat to the king’s throne. Following the 1660 Restoration, Charles II returned the property to the Cotton family, who constructed the current 5,800-square-foot manor house in the 17th century.
Modern Amenities and Period Charm
The manor features four bathrooms, a drawing room, lounge, dining room, study, scullery, utility spaces, and cellars. Period details include stone-flagged floors, grand open fireplaces, and exposed wooden beams.
Outdoor spaces encompass four acres of gardens, the castle ruins, a swimming pool with pool house, an old granary with loft storage, and outbuildings. Recent highlights include a 1930s rental to American art collector Peggy Guggenheim and a daring 1975 hand-glide from the tower by Roger Daltrey for The Who’s film Tommy.
Prime Location and Listing Details
Nestled near Langstone Harbour, the property lies close to Emsworth and Havant. It previously listed at £2.6 million in 2018 after 35 years off the market. Contact Felicity Chetworth at House Partnership to view this historic gem.
