The Historic Poundon House Was Once A Secret British Intelligence Base
Set in the Oxfordshire countryside in the heart of an 11.47 acre estate, the property dates back to 1908 and was built by Eton educated gentleman cricketer John Heywood-Lonsdale on the occasion of his marriage to a local, Miss Parker Bowles.
The Queen Anne style property is approached via a lovely lime-tree allee, and is surrounded by paddocks and impressive formal gardens designed by famed British landscape architect Thomas H. Mawson.
Of note is the Victorian brick-walled garden, containing a variety of fruit trees and garden plots, and the property also comes with a large, Roman-style swimming pool set within a hedged garden and a large hard tennis court.
Requisitioned for war efforts in 1939, Poundon House was used as a secret base for Sir Winston Churchill’s Special Operations Executive unit throughout WWII, and was by intelligence services until the 1970s.
The Edwardian country house has been a private family home since 1979, when the Roscoe family purchased the estate and lovingly restored the property.
The country house for sale offers 13,263 square feet of living space across 3 floors, with several authentic Edwardian reception rooms, various formal living spaces, and 12 bedrooms.
The property comes with a 2-bedroom garden cottage and additional accommodation in the mansion’s 3-bedroom garden wing.
Additional amenities include a traditional red-brick stable yard with 12 stables and extensive garages.
All photos belong to the listing agency.
