If you’ve ever wondered who the music-hall song The man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo is about, look no further.
A confidence trickster named Charles Wells is the popular contender—he won 1.5 million francs at the Monte Carlo casino, but before that, he was born at Georgian Walton House in the lovely town of Broxbourne, beside the River Lea, which is 17 miles north of London.
Currently on the market via Hamptons and Kirby Colletti for offers over £1.75 million, Walton House offers just under 4000sq ft of sumptuous interiors, peppered with intricate period details which range from the early 1800's to the late Victorian era.
Set out over four floors, the lower ground floor houses the sitting room and laundry room, as well as workshop and store room.
The kitchen, a 'morning room', lounge, dining room and large conservatory assume their position on the ground floor, with access from the conservatory leading out to the garden beyond.
Three of the five bedrooms can be found on the first floor, including the large master room with its show-stealing bay windows, whilst the remaining two bedrooms are located on the second floor. There are also several Juliet balconies.
Its manicured garden contains fruit trees, a summerhouse and fishpond.
Walton House is currently on the market via Hamptons and Kirby Colletti for offers over £1.75 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.
Broxbourne: What you need to know
Location: In Hertfordshire, just over 17 miles north of central London. The nearest station is located within Broxbourne which links to London Liverpool Street. Other stations in the area are Rye House and Cheshunt which has overground and national rail services.
Atmosphere: The town is a popular destination for those wishing to make the grand exit from the big city, yet still be within striking distance for work and entertainment. There are a number of supermarkets plus several independent shops within the town.
Things to do: There are several golf clubs within the area, including The Hertfordshire Golf & Country Club, Nazeing Golf Club and Cheshunt Park Golf Centre. Keen anglers can head just down the road to Kings Weir whilst central London is easily reached for theatres, art galleries, shops and restaurants.
Schools: Broxbourne C of E Primary School is rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted, and Wormley C of E Primary School and The Broxbourne School are both rated 'good'.
See more property for sale 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
-
‘It had the air of an ex-rental, and that’s putting it politely’: How an antique dealer transformed a run-down Georgian house in Chatham DockyardsAn antique dealer with an eye for colour has rescued an 18th-century house from years of neglect with the help of the team at Mylands.
-
You're having a giraffe: Country Life Quiz of the Day, April 25, 2025Friday's Quiz of the Day brings your opera, marathons and a Spanish landmark.
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in KentNorth Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streetsThis six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
-
A tale of everyday life as lived on Britain's most expensive streetWinnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
-
Damon Hill's former home in Marbella is the perfect place to slow downThe glorious Andalusian-style villa is found within the Lomas de Marbella Club and just a short walk from the beach.
-
A 327-acre estate in the heart of 'England’s Côte d’Or', with a 26,000sq ft Georgian style home at its heartStokes Hall in the Crouch Valley is an inspiring property looking for a new owner.
-
Schreiber House, 'the most significant London townhouse of the second half of the 20th century', is up for saleThe five-bedroom Modernist masterpiece sits on the edge of Hampstead Heath.
-
Is the 'race for space' officially over?During the lockdowns, many thought the countryside was the place to be. It seems many are now changing their minds.
-
What's a 'wellness village' and will it tempt you back into the office?The team behind London's first mixed-use ‘wellness village’ says it has the magic formula for tempting workers back into offices.
