Old Rectory up for grabs for £1.5m (From Your Local Guardian)

Cheam Village's Old Rectory put up for sale

7:40am Saturday 14th July 2012 in Sutton By James Pepper

A unique part of Cheam Village's history is up for grabs - for £1.5m.

The Old Rectory in Cheam Village has been put on the market as the owners look to downsize.

Following the sad death of former owner and author Jane Furnival from Cancer in May, husband Andy Tribble said the house holds happy memories after eight years as residents.

He said: "I have got over my phase of living in eccentric historical houses now. I did enjoy it, but it was always more Jane's thing and now she is gone, It's simply too big."

Since the family moved in, they have had to share the house with seven very shy ghosts, all of whom hold a key to the houses rich historical tapestry.

One of the ghosts who tended to pop up around Halloween was the bottom pinching ghost.

Speaking in October, Mrs Furnival said: "He pops up now and again, he pinched one of the ladies bottoms in here on her birthday, he's quite friendly, and actually quite funny."

After the home was built in the early 1500's it was privy to a golden era in Cheam Village's history.

Nonsuch Palace, built in the 1530's in nearby Cuddington, was seen as Henry VIII grandest building project which he had hoped would rival the great Francis I's Chateau de Chambord in Forêt de Boulogne, France.

In the late 16th century Anthony Watson, the Bishop of Chichester, resided at the Old Rectory. Watson was Elizabeth 1's almoner, a key court position, and was about five minutes' ride from Nonsuch from the Rectory's garden door.

Queen Elizabeth 1 said, "I love well of Nonsuch air" and hunted in the park with her boyfriend, the Earl of Leicester.

In the recent past the house has played host for photo shoots for American Vogue, Marks and Spencer and Viyella.

Just last week it hosted an open air theatre performance of Julius Caesar.

Mr Tribble said: "I hope the new owners continue to use the house commercially as people do like to have a look around, it's a beautiful place."