The former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath's Salisbury home has been secured and it is now open to the public again. Arundells, the 18th-century, Grade II*-listed house in which Sir Edward lived until his death in 2005, is the only former Prime Minister's residence to remain as it was during their lifetime.
Its numerous artifacts reflect his passions for music, sailing, Winston Churchill memorabilia- including a painting damaged by an IRA bomb-and politics; his desk was once owned by David Lloyd George.
Although Sir Edward requested in his will that the house be kept open for the public, a potential sale was avoided when Peter Batey, his former Private Secretary, stepped in to cover the budget deficit.
The house, parts of which date back to the 13th century, has a two acre medieval garden and is open for guided tours from Saturday to Wednesday until October 29 (01722 326546; www.arundells.org).
* Subscribe to Country Life and save
* Follow Country Life magazine on Twitter
-
A well-connected rural playground with 23 acres on the edge of the South Downs National ParkOld House Farm is an impressive family home with a wealth of amenities that would inspire any rural passion.
-
The UK gets its first ‘European stork village’ — and it's in West SussexAlthough the mortality rate among white storks can be up to 90%, the future looks rosy for breeding pairs in southern England.
