A slice of British political history has just come to the market. Grade I-listed Pitt House, in Bath, was, as the name implies, once home to 18th-century prime minister William Pitt the Younger. Now for sale with Knight Frank at £3.5 million, the property later became the offices of the Bath Conservative Association.
Designed by Thomas Baldwin and built in 1792, the house is both a prime example of Bath’s Georgian architecture and a luxurious family home for today’s standards, thanks to a renovation process that combined original features with opulent new additions.
The 4,230sq ft interiors have a magnificent cantilevered staircase, window shutters, decorative cornicing and period fireplaces, but also French and Italian crystal chandeliers, bespoke window seats made by Aston Martin upholsterers, silk curtains, electric window blinds and hand-built oak wardrobes in the bedrooms.
The bespoke kitchen, built by Clayton Davidson, is a work of art, with stone worktops and a walnut island unit with curved banquet seating and a circular breakfast table.
Also on the ground floor is a study overlooking Laura Place and Great Pulteney Street, whereas the two main reception rooms are upstairs — one at the front of the building, which has tall windows and a fine fireplace, and the other at the back, which overlooks Bath’s weir and the Parade Gardens.
The second floor is entirely taken up by the exceptional master suite, which comes with dressing room and a freestanding bath in the bathroom. Three more bedrooms are arranged across the third and fourth floors.
Pitt, who became Britain’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 24 in 1783, is thought to have lived at the property between 1801, when he left the position, and 1804, when he resumed it, keeping it until his death in 1806.
As well as Pitt House’s sheer architectural beauty and interesting history, another draw is a one-year membership to the 5-star luxury The Gainsborough Bath Spa, which the vendor is offering to the property’s new owners.
Pitt House is for sale at £3.5 million via Knight Frank — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.
Bath: What you need to know
- Location: Bath is 17 minutes by train to Bristol and 1hour 20 minutes to London
- Atmosphere:Simply some of the best Georgian and Regency architecture in the UK
- Things to do: Plenty for everyone, from culture (the choice of museums and art galleries is staggering, whether you are into Roman Britain or Oriental Art) to sports (Bath rugby), well being (the thermal springs) and shopping (myriad independent shops), plus just outside the town, that exhilarating experience that's Longleat safari park. The skyline walk is a must for exceptional views
- Schools: Bath has a huge choice of top-performing schools, including, at secondary level, King Edward's, Monkton Senior, Kingswood and Royal High School.Find more properties in the area.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Credit: Andy Fletcher Photography
Bath unwrapped: Where to stay, what to do and what to eat in one of Britain's most iconic and historic cities
Emily Anderson explores the best of Bath, from the iconic Roman baths to it's eccentric comedy walking tours.
-
17 outstanding homes for sale across Britain, from under £250k to £6.5 million, as seen in Country LifeSomething for every budget in this week's round up of homes across the country that have come to market via Country Life.
-
'We started thinking: if we were going to design a bike for Aston Martin, what would it look like? And then we simply couldn’t stop': Aston's new bike has everything you could ever dream of — except a price tagThe new Aston Martin .1R bicycle, a collaboration with manufacturer J.Laverack, leaves Paul Henderson stirred rather than shaken.
-
17 outstanding homes for sale across Britain, from under £250k to £6.5 million, as seen in Country Life
Something for every budget in this week's round up of homes across the country that have come to market via Country Life.
-
An utterly charming island home in Scotland with gardens so beautiful they made the cover of Country LifeAn Cala on the Isle of Seil has a fascinating history that is only enhanced by its amazing setting.
-
Soft tones and a sense of place: A Mayfair duplex that breaks the modern mouldA new designer-led residence at 60 Curzon in Mayfair reminds us that everything new doesn't necessarily have to look it.
-
'The very best North Yorkshire has to offer': The £25 million Kirkham EstateWith 1,103 acres and on the market for the first time in a century, we've got a new frontrunner for the sale of the year.
-
The reality of 20 years of house price rises in Britain, from the places that have had a charmed life to the spots where it's a struggle to move back homeAt first glance the ups and downs of the property market seem to even out over time — but dig in to the numbers and you'll see wild regional variations which paint a very difference picture. Annabel Dixon analyses new research which tells the story.
-
A historic Yorkshire hall, meticulously restored to its former 18th-century magnificenceWomersley Park is a masterpiece and one of Yorkshire's great historic houses. And it could be yours.
-
Rowing past dreams: An idyllic riverside home with a boathouse, croquet pitch and Olympic pedigreeThe Manor in Long Wittenham is a perfect Thames-side getaway. Comes with a free boat.
-
A bucolic Sussex home that's 'like stepping into a fairytale', yet just 30 minutes from central LondonFelmere House is a playground for nature and only 30 minutes from London.
