Townhouse where Lord Mountbatten once entertained guests goes on the market for £19.5million

A stunning home where Lord Mountbatten once entertained guests has gone on the market for £19.5million. 

The five-storey Regency townhouse, situated in London‘s exclusive Belgravia neighbourhood, boasts five bedrooms, a private courtyard and access to stunning communal gardens.

Built in 1827, the property has hosted high profile guests including Edwardian-era Prime Minister Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman and Lord Mountbatten, the Duke of Edinburgh‘s beloved uncle. 

Today it serves as a sprawling 6,337 sq ft family home that has been enjoyed by the current owners for more than 30 years. 

The ground floor is dominated by a large formal dining room with a marble fireplace and sash windows overlooking the crescent and a butler’s pantry to the rear. There is also a day room and a bright study that is perfect for the new normal of working from home. 

The sweeping, cantilevered stone staircase leads to the property’s first floor which provides an extensive dual-aspect double drawing room with high ceilings and preserved original cornicing. There are French doors leading onto a private balcony, with the second set of doors leading to a large roof terrace that is perfect for entertaining.

The master suite occupies the second floor, with a walk-in dressing room with bespoke cabinetry and a marble-clad ensuite bathroom complete with free-standing bathtub. There are a further four bedrooms, each with their own bath or shower room that makes the home ideal for a large family or visiting guests.

On the lower-ground floor, there is a large family kitchen with dumb waiter to the butler’s pantry above, with double doors leading to a large courtyard garden for al fresco dining. 

There is a TV-room, further reception room and two wine cellars, as well as staff accommodation. There is also a separate mews house with parking for five vehicles, available by separate negotiation.

The townhouse, situated on Wilton Crescent, was first constructed in 1827 by architect Thomas Cundy II, with the crescent named after the Earl of Wilton, one of the secondary titles of the Grosvenor Dukedom and family, the developers of Belgravia.

The property’s first recorded resident was Edward Round, with an annual rent of 60 pounds noted in 1829. The property then served as a private boarding school for eight girls, led by school mistress Caroline McGeorge, before becoming home to Sir John Edward Harington, 10th Baronet.

In 1904 Conservative MP James Campbell-Bannerman moved into the property. His brother, Prime Minister Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, who was in office between 1905-1908, lived nearby and visited on a number of occasions. 

Following the Second World War, the property was owned by Quentin Curtis Craig, a wealthy banker and the son of Rt. Hon. Charles Curtis Craig.

According to current owner, in the 1960s the townhouse was at least partially leased by Lord Mountbatten, who lived next door with his wife but found himself in need of more space. 

The rooms of this townhouse were taken utilised by the couple as additional storage for their collection of antiques, and as reception rooms for guests when the need arose.   

Commenting on the history of the property, Percy Lendrum, Director at DEXTERS Chelsea office, explained: ‘When the current owners first moved into the property, a long-standing neighbour told them the property’s extensive history and notable residents, including the home once being leased by Lord Mountbatten when he needed extra space for entertaining.’ 

He added: ‘The historic property has had a number of notable residents over the years, and has original features beautifully preserved. Wilton Crescent is one of the most sought-after addresses in Belgravia and we are delighted to be representing such an impressive property.’