6 years on the market

The story of a modern-day palace

Widely regarded as the most important private residence to be built in England since the 19th century, to describe Updown Court as a palace is an understatement. Indeed, the two nearest palaces - Hampton Court and Buckingham - are both smaller.

Situated on a secluded estate in Windlesham, and set in 58 acres of beautiful forested countryside, this four-storey cream-coloured mansion has 103 rooms, including 24 en-suite bedrooms, two guest houses, a security lodge and manager's office.

What is more, Updown Court is available for you and your entourage to move in immediately - if, that is, you can afford the £70 million reserve price tag, £3 million stamp duty and, of course, the phenomenal running costs estimated to be around £10,000 a month just for gas and electricity. 

 

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• • • The first Updown Court was built in 1924 on 12 acres of land.
    • In 1977, Prince Sami Gayed of Egypt purchased it, but the building was abandoned after it was damaged by a fire in the Great Storm of 1987, believed to have been caused by a fallen tree rupturing a gas main.
    • Thereafter, Indian businessman Banjul Singh purchased the property and began an extensive renovation programme.
    • The following year, Les Allen-Vercoe of Rhymer Investments, a Surrey-based property magnate, acquired Updown Court for £20m and set about creating a sumptuous citadel inspired by Victorian-era mansions.
    • He replaced the original American architect with a Briton, Eades Hotwani, and hired Italian craftsmen to lay the marble tiles and mosaics.
    • Today, Updown Court is larger than Hampton Court and Buckingham Palace and includes 24 bedroom suites, 27 bathrooms and five pools.
    • At £70 million, it is the most expensive house currently on sale in the UK, though a property in London was recently sold for £80 million.