Rowneybury House Explained

Rowneybury House is a house in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, England.

The property on which Rowneybury stands was part of Pishiobury before being divided in the 1880s.[1] It was owned by Hertfordshire County Council and used as a home for children with disabilities.[2] [3] The original property had two upper floors, and a cellar under the majority of the main building. After lying empty for several years, it was purchased from the Council and renovated. In 1999, the property was purchased by the footballer David Beckham and his wife Victoria Beckham for £2.5 million. The property became dubbed "Beckingham Palace" by the press as a portmanteau of their surname and Buckingham Palace.[4] They spent around £3 million on refurbishment, including a maze designed by James Gardner, in the grounds. In 2001, Victoria Beckham made a virtual tour of the mansion available online.[5] [6]

The property was put up for sale by the Beckhams in 2013.[7] The house, with of grounds, was bought by the insurance tycoon Neil Utley,[8] chairman of Hastings Direct, and Narmali Utley for £11.35 million in 2014.[9]

Rowneybury Cottage, near the entrance to the estate on Harlow Road, is a Grade II listed building.[10] This timberframed house, dating from the late 16th-century to early 17th-century, was listed in 1981.

References

51.7983°N 0.1356°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Origin of Harlow . Chris Sharpe . 16 March 2017 . mun.ca . Memorial University of Newfoundland . 7 August 2018.
  2. News: Stuart . Julia . 2001-07-30 . Beckingham Palace, our lovely home . 2024-06-01 . . en.
  3. Web site: 2013-03-31 . David and Victoria Beckham Put 'Beckingham Palace' up for Sale . 2024-06-01 . International Business Times UK . en.
  4. News: Inside 'Beckingham Palace': David and Victoria's mansion bought by insurance tycoon for £11.3million . . UK . Patrick . Hill . 15 March 2014 . 4 August 2018.
  5. News: Posh launches Beckingham Palace website . . UK . Amy . Vickers . 24 July 2001 . 8 August 2018.
  6. News: Beckingham Palace, our lovely home . . UK . Julia . Stuart . 31 July 2001 . 8 August 2018.
  7. News: David and Victoria Beckham bid fairwell [sic] to 'Beckingham Palace' for a cool £15 million . . UK . 25 October 2013 . 4 August 2018.
  8. News: Neil Utley's stake in Hastings Direct to be valued at £200m in upcoming IPO . The Daily Telegraph. UK . Ashley . Armstrong . 4 April 2015 . 4 August 2018.
  9. News: Mystery buyer of Beckingham Palace revealed . . UK . Deidre . Hipwell . 17 March 2014 . 4 August 2018.
  10. Web site: Rowneybury Cottage (Opposite Redbricks Lane) – A Grade II Listed Building in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire . British Listed Buildings . UK . britishlistedbuildings.co.uk . 8 August 2018.