The home that inspired Alice in Wonderland hits the market for $3.2 million

7NEWS

a day ago

The former English country house of Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll has hit the market for £1.6 million (AUD $3.2 million).
Located in Ripon, North Yorkshire, 'Ripon Old Hall' is a Grade II listed Georgian town house that was built in the 18th century.
Carroll, whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, lived in the property as a young man in the 1850s when his father served as canon of the cathedral.
While the classic children's book was published in 1865, according to David Winpenny - co-chairman of Ripon Civic Society - it is believed that Carroll took inspiration from the Ripon house for the story.
"We think he was inspired by some of the carvings of the cathedral, the Cheshire Cat and the rabbits going down rabbit holes in the cathedral," Mr Winpenny said in an interview with the BBC.
"He also wrote poems for the children of the Bishop of Ripon while he was there."
The sale of the property is being managed by agents Ed Stoyle and Mark Lloyd from Savills.
"The house offers a real slice of history and a window into the changing architecture of the last 300 years," said Mr Stoyle.
The historic home is currently owned by Michael Godwin, who is selling the property with the intention of downsizing.
In an interview with the BBC, Godwin said it was love at first sight when he first saw the home.
"I saw this one online and it created a little bit of interest, but I hadn't been to see it. Then one day I just thought, 'oh I've got to see that house', he said.
"As soon as they opened the front door, within two seconds, I looked at the Georgian features and the staircase and the ceiling and I thought, 'yes, I'll have this'."
The three-level property features six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a recently modernised kitchen, majestic drawing room, sitting room and formal dining room.
Attractive period details within the home include a 1738 staircase hall, a ceiling roundel depicting Cupid, oak-balustered staircase, pine wainscotting, and a ceiling in the upper hall depicting a grand Judgement of Paris scene.
Outside, the private walled gardens lead onto a manicured lawn, sun-drenched breakfast garden, and a gated driveway with an expansive parking area.
There is also a self-contained studio on the property with its own kitchen, bedroom, lounge and bathroom. Perfect for guests or intergenerational living.