Margaret Thatcher’s Westminster Home Is Up For Sale
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1 month ago
Here's where the former Prime Minister stayed after she fell from power
This imposing London townhouse packs a political punch: it was not only owned by Conservative party treasurer Lord Alistair McAlpine, but it also served as Margaret Thatcher’s home after she resigned as Prime Minister in 1990. Here’s the rundown…
Look Inside… Margaret Thatcher’s Westminster Home
Dating back as far as 1720, this handsome home on Great College Street has plenty of stories to tell. Between 1984 and 1993, it was inhabited by Lord Alistair McAlpine, then treasurer of the Conservative party, and his second wife, Romilly Hobbs. The house was frequented by politicians and party leaders including Margaret Thatcher herself – and after Thatcher fell from power in 1990, Lord McAlpine offered up the townhouse to her as a refuge.
Although Thatcher owned a home in South London, the Great College Street townhouse allowed her to remain close to Westminster in the weeks after the cabinet coup that ended her 11 years as Prime Minister. She eventually left Great College Street later in 1990, relocating to Belgravia before moving into a five-storey home on Chester Square in 1991. John Major subsequently used Great College Street as his headquarters during his own campaign for Prime Minister.
The Grade II* listed townhouse contains three bedrooms, a tranquil patio garden, and more than 2,000 square feet of space. (It also still showcases a ‘Division Bell’, installed on Thatcher’s orders, which was used to summon MPs before a vote.) On the ground floor, you’ll find an elegant reception room and a 10-seat dining room, both of which feature original Georgian panelling and period fireplaces. The adjoining kitchen boasts handcrafted cabinetry and a sleek industrial-style oven. It also opens out onto the private courtyard garden.
The first floor is occupied by two additional reception rooms, while the second floor accommodates two large bedrooms and a family bathroom. There’s more space for guests on the lower ground floor, which is kitted out with a self-contained apartment encompassing a double bedroom, a reception room and a bathroom.
It might boast a rather remarkable story, but this Westminster home is starting a new chapter – and it’s on the market for £3.65 million.
Available through Dexters. For more information, visit dexters.co.uk