SITUATION:
The Castle stands beside Greenwich Park in a most sought after and convenient position on high and dominating ground. Close by are excellent amenities within Greenwich and Blackheath. Maze Hill main line railway station is within easy walking distance providing access to London Bridge in 13 minutes.
The view from its roof, turret and windows, is across the greenery of the park and over the beautiful buildings of Greenwich Palace and the Observatory to the River and the City.

DESCRIPTION:
Historically and architecturally the Castle is one of the most remarkable private residences in Greenwich. It is Listed Grade 1 and is rich in exterior and interior detail. Built in brick it is surmounted by a romantic array of turrett, crenellation and spire. The interior is unspoilt although well modernised. Original Vanbrugh fireplaces remain as do the proportions of the rooms and windows. Outside there is a beautiful herb garden with a fountain, access to a huge underground cellar in the garden and a riot of woods, shrubbery and border.

SIR JOHN VANBRUGH (1664 - 1726)
Sir John Vanbrugh was a soldier, playwright, architect, theatre manager, Herald and public servant.

Determined to succeed in every field he entered he designed the great baroque extravaganzas of Castle Howard and Blenheim as well as small practical and economical private houses.
Vanbrugh had a long connection with Greenwich through the appointment in 1695 of his brother William as secretary to the hospital committee. He had been knighted there in 1714 by George I and was to succeed Wren as the hospital surveyor two years later. In 1718 he took a lease on a piece of high ground at the south east corner of Greenwich park and from 1720 Vanbrugh Castle became the main residence of Sir John Vanbrugh and his family. Vanbrugh Castle was the third of the smaller houses that he built for himself and the only one which still survives.
For a considerable time the Castle had the popular name of Bastille House because Sir John is believed to have modelled the Castle on the Bastille where he had been imprisoned as a spy in the 1690's.
During the 1900's the property was owned by the Duckham oil family. From 1919 the RAF Benevolent Fund used it as a private school (the names of Cheshire, Gibson and Trenchard remain on interior doors).
Fifteen years ago four families acquired the Castle and the property was sensitively converted into four houses. This arrangement remains, only one of the original group having left.

In more detail the accommodation comprises:

On the Ground Floor

Wide stone steps with wrought iron railings leading up to:
Pillared Entrance Porch: Oak panelling. Reception Hall: 127" x 10'5" approached through double panelled oak doors, tiled floor, Venetian window, access to both 1 and 2 Vanbrugh Castle, fine panelled oak door to 2 Vanbrugh Castle.
Drawing Room: (N, E & W) 26' x 20'5" max 3 Venetian windows, picture rail, coved ceiling cornice, stripped oak floor covering, picture light points, wide open fireplace with stone surround, panelled oak door to:
Hall: Part quarry tiled floor, panelling to dado rail height, coved cornice, part glazed Venetian door to outside, archway to:
Inner Hall: Staircase to first floor.
Cloakroom: WC with mahogany seat and pine cupboards above, wash basin.
Kitchen/Breakfast Room: (E) 14' x 8'4" Belfast sink, fitted floor cupboards and drawers with pine working surfaces, four ring Moffat gas hob, double Moffat electric oven with cupboards above and below, extensive wall shelving, plate racks, tiled splash backs, boarded oak floor, coved cornice, space for refrigerator and freezer.

Access below the stairs to:

Cellar: Comprising two vaults, one housing Ideal Mexico gas fired boiler.

On the First Floor
Landing: Shelved understairs storage cupboard, further built-in cupboard with hanging rails, coved cornice, two Venetian windows.
Small Study Area: With Venetian window and coved cornice.
Bedroom 1: (N, E & W) 26'4" x 20'10" max wide bay with window seats providing magnificent views across London, coved cornice, picture rail, boarded pine floor, fine open fireplace with stone surround.
Bathroom: Cast iron bath with ball and claw feet, corner marble wash basin with cupboard below, WC with mahogany seat, Venetian window.
Bedroom 2: (E) 9'1" x 8'1" coved cornice, picture rail, dado rail.

On the Second Floor

Landing: Built-in double cupboard, one half being shelved the other housing plumbing and waste for washing machine, fitted shelves.
Bathroom 2: Cast iron bath with brass mixer taps, WC with mahogany seat, period washstand with inset marble basin, picture light, display alcove.
Bedroom 3:(N) 13'2" x 12' polished pine floor, double fitted wardrobe cupboard.
Bedroom 4: (N) 14'7" max x 8'2" wall light points, built-in corner wardrobe cupboard, period fireplace with cast iron grate and surround, pine floor covering.
Bedroom 5: (E & S) 117" x 9'6".
Spiral staircase leading up to:
Roof Terrace: 27'9" x 197" average, enjoying panoramic views over the Thames and London with lead floor and low brick walls.

OUTSIDE
Vanbrugh Castle is approached over a circular gravel driveway on the front (south west side) of the property. There is a shared front garden with a circular lawn, flower and shrub borders and a high brick wall fronting Maze Hill. There is ample parking space for two cars for each of the four houses at Vanbrugh Castle.

THE GARDENS
The gardens which are mostly situated to the north and east of the property are shared by all four houses and provide a fine setting for the Castle. They comprise of brick paths, level lawns, fruit trees including pear, plum, cherry and apple. A herb garden with central raised pond with fountain, a rose pergola, vegetable garden. Within the gardens is a brick folly with steps down to a large vaulted cellar, 60' x 12', (with a number of tunnels leading off). This cellar is sold with the house and is leased to the owner.
There is a large brick built outbuilding constructed in 1962 with a parquet floor covering and a number of light and power points. There is a former tennis court and adjoining the gardens mature woodland containing a wide variety of deciduous trees. The gardens and grounds in all extend to about 2 acres.

GENERAL REMARKS AND STIPULATIONS

TENURE AND POSSESSION:
We understand Vanbrugh Castle is leasehold with the residue of a 999 year lease from 1977 The house being sold is subject to an annual ground rent of £150. The lease is drawn on very favourable terms to the Lessees, having been personally negotiated by the present vendor with the freeholders, The Blackheath Preservation Trust, a local charity.

SERVICES:
All mains services are connected, gas fired central heating.

LOCAL AUTHORITY:
London Borough of Greenwich.

VIEWING:
Strictly by prior appointment, please, with the agents.

FIXTURES AND FITTINGS:
Ornaments and all other items usually denominated as tenants' fixtures and fittings, apart from those mentioned in these particulars, are excluded from the sale.

CONTRACTS:
A 10% deposit should be paid by the purchaser on exchange of contracts, to be held by the vendors' solicitors as agents for the vendors.

PLANNING:
Vanbrugh Castle is Listed Grade I as being of architectural and historical interest.

PLANS, AREAS AND SCHEDULES:
These are based on the ordnance survey and for reference only. They have been carefully checked and are believed to be correct but the purchaser will be deemed to have satisfied himself as to the description of the property and any error or omission or mis-statement as to the areas or otherwise shall not annul the sale or entitle either party to compensation in respect thereof.

RIGHTS, EASEMENTS AND BOUNDARIES:
The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all outgoings, rights of way, easements and wayleaves there may be whether mentioned in these general remarks and stipulations or particulars of sale or not.

PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE:
These particulars do not constitute any part of any offer or contract. All measurements are approximate and given as a guide. No liability can be accepted for any error, omission or mis-statement in these particulars.

PRICE:
Offers are invited for the freehold, subject to contract.

DIRECTIONS:
The property is found on Maze Hill before a left fork to Westcombe Park Road and opposite Greenwich Park. (See plan on London A-Z on the reverse side of accompanying letter).