“Twenty-five million pounds. That’s what they were asking for the Old Rectory House in 1994. Can you believe it?” I’ll bet you’re wondering what makes this place so special. The Old Rectory House isn’t just a house. It’s a piece of London history. The main part of the building dates back to around 1725. That’s early Georgian. But its story goes much further back. The land itself was a gift from the Marquis of Winchester way back in 1566.
For centuries the Old Rectory House served as the home of the rector of Chelsea parish church. That was Chelsea Old Church. It’s been standing since 1157. This all continued until the larger St Luke’s Church was built in 1824. Imagine the rectors coming and going over the years. One notable rector was Charles Kingsley Senior. He served from 1836 to 1860. He was the father of Charles Kingsley. You know the author of The Water Babies?
This impressive house boasts two acres of gardens. That’s the largest private garden in London. Only Buckingham Palace and Witanhurst are bigger. It’s truly remarkable. In the 1990s the Old Rectory House underwent a major renovation. South African developers Collett and Champion oversaw the project. A Japanese businessman Norikazu Nemoto funded the work. They added huge wings. Now there are ten bedroom suites and a massive ballroom. The renovation was extensive.
The Old Rectory House has changed hands several times. It was once owned by Greek shipping magnate Theodore Angelopoulos. He purchased it for a staggering £22 million. For many years this sale represented London’s largest and most expensive property deal. Then came Norwegian shipping magnate John Fredriksen. He bought it for £37 million in 2001. Even Roman Abramovich reportedly offered £100 million for it in 2004. It was never for sale though. Today the Old Rectory House remains one of London’s most exclusive and expensive properties. Its history is rich its gardens expansive and its past illustrious. It’s a fascinating testament to London’s enduring charm. The Old Rectory House stands as a silent witness to centuries of London life.