At a time when MPs expenses were less under scrutiny, Winston Churchill and his family lived in a smart terraced house in London’s Eccleston Square for four years – a blue plaque hangs to commemorate his sojourn.
After being up for sale at £4.75 million with no takers, the house is now being offered for rental and is available to let at £3,000 a week through Ayrton Wylie (www.ayrtonwylie.com; 020 7730 4628).
Churchill moved to Eccleston Square in 1908, a year after marrying Clementine Hozier. His first two children were born here – Diana in 1909 and Randolph in 1911.
During Churchill’s time at the stunning house, built in 1835 by Thomas Cubitt, he was promoted to a number of senior positions in and out of the Cabinet. During this time he assisted in drafting the new social welfare system, the protection of workers’ rights and the introduction of the first minimum wage.
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As if this wasn’t enough, the property has other political relevance: it was the headquarters for the Labour Party and Trade Union Congress during the General Strike of 1926.
Today, Churchill’s old home spans over 4,000-square feet with four bedrooms, formal and separate family dining rooms, two outside terraces, a games room and access to communal gardens.
Anita Nott-Bower, head of lettings at Ayrton Wylie says the house, which was recently redone by developer Manhattan Properties, is beautiful, ‘and it looks along the length of the square through an archway of roses.’
It is unusual to find such a large space over the lower and ground floor levels in Pimlico. ‘It also is light and bright and centrally located for Victoria Station, Belgravia, Mayfair and the West End,’ adds Miss Nott-Bower.
There is interest on the property already for a 14-month let, and presumably, if a tenant fell in love with Churchill’s old haunt, he could consider making an offer for this lovely piece of London history.
