Country houses for sale

OnTheMarket

The former Chelsea home of the creator of Mary Poppins that’s practically perfect in every way

The former home of P. L. Travers, one of the 20th century’s most influential authors, is sure to be snatched up faster than you can say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. 

29 Shawfield Street Exterior

If there was any house that parents could convince their children to keep spit-spot, as if by magic, it’s this one.

A hop and a skip from the cherry-strewn streets which inspired the Banks family home, 29 Shawfield Street in the charming borough of Chelsea was once the home of P. L. Travers, creator of one of England’s most beloved literary characters: Mary Poppins. The iconic property is now on the market through Russell Simpson at a guide price of £4.85 million.

29 Shawfield Street Study

(Image credit: MATTHEW DAVIS)

P. L. Travers was born Helen Lyndon Goff in 1899 in Queensland, Australia. Suffering the loss of her father Travers at a young age, Goff boarded in Sydney and toured as an actress with Allan Wilkie’s Shakespearean Company until her move to England in 1924.

Helen Goff disappeared in England when, despite protests from her family, Goff took on her father's Christian name and became known as Pamela Lyndon Travers. Travers continued to act and dance in London, moving to Sussex in 1931. Two years later, she began to write Marry Poppins.

29 Shawfield Street Kitchen

(Image credit: MATTHEW DAVIS)

Travers first found success when Mary Poppins was published in 1934. Appealing to children and adults alike, the character became iconic, propelling Travers to one of the most celebrated and influential authors of the 20th century.

In 1962, P. L. Travers purchased 29 Shawfield Street following the release of her fifth book, Mary Poppins From A to Z. It was here that she wrote three further books and lived out the rest of her days, before passing away in 1996. The house itself featured in Saving Mr Banks, a movie documenting Mary Poppin’s (slightly reluctant, as P. L. Travers was vehemently opposed to it for a number of years) journey from page to screen.

29 Shawfield Street lounge

(Image credit: MATTHEW DAVIS)

A light and spacious four-bedroom Grade II-listed house, 29 Shawfield Street is just off the eastern side of the Kings Road. Recently refurbished, the property benefits from three terraces, five entertaining spaces and even a pleasant outdoor space – a high prize in such a premier area of London.

It may take more than a spoonful of sugar to swallow the price, but for literary lovers looking for a London home, there couldn’t be a more appropriate property on the market.

29 Shawfield Street SW3-3

(Image credit: MATTHEW DAVIS)

And of course, if one were in want of a little extra help, there’s always the option of casting an advertisement to the wind and waiting for an unusual answer. After all, if there was a family destined to receive the helping hand of a flying nanny, it would be the one to live in her creator’s beloved home. Wouldn't it?

29 Shawfield Street is on the market for £4.85 million through Russell Simpson. For more information and images, click here. 


Credit: Strutt & Parker

The country retreat where JM Barrie dreamed up Peter Pan to entertain three young houseguests

Set on 1.5 acres of land on the edge of Bourne Wood, Lobswood House has been sympathetically renovated to retain

Pinewood House

Credit: Knight Frank

A palatial Jacobean-style mansion with rooms by the man who renovated Buckingham Palace

With a 24 carat gold drawing room, an extraordinary indoor spa complex and a £150,000 playhouse, the only thing Pinewood

The real-life Peter Pan home – where Wendy and the boys lived – is up for sale

Exterior view of the Bell Inn in Stow on the Wold.

Credit: Alamy

The Bell at Stow: A beautiful bolthole full of Cotswolds charm, masterfully combining a rustic pub and a stunning boutique hotel

Alexandra Fraser continues her tour around the British countryside and discovers a hidden gem.

Credit: Strutt & Parker

A large, lovingly-restored country home with two ponds, an indoor pool and a wonderful story

Smallwater has been diligently cared for by its current owners and restored to a state of perfection - it's now

Alexandra Fraser
Ally is a writer, editor and social media superstar who has worked for the Royal Horticultural Society and British Rowing, but she kicked off her career at Country Life after graduating from University College London with a degree in Classics. In recent years she's split her time between Winchester and London, all while raising a cocker spaniel called Wilf. For questions, recommendations or to pass on dog training tips, find her at alexandralilyfraser@gmail.com.