£2.75m apartment goes up for sale in historic castle with its own battlements and private roof terrace right in the heart of London
- The four-storey apartment is in Grade I-listed Vanbrugh Castle in Maze Hill, south-east London
- Four-bed flat has private roof terrace with views of the Greenwich observatory and nearby Royal Park
- Castle designed in 1718 by Sir John Vanbrugh; he modelled it on Bastille where he was imprisoned in 1690 for two years after being accused of espionage; he also designed Blenheim Palace, in Oxfordshire
Commoners looking for a taste of the high life can snap up an apartment in a historic London castle for a regal £2.75million.
The luxury four-storey household is nestled inside Grade I-listed Vanbrugh Castle in Maze Hill, south-east London, and boasts square towers with battlements and 2.5 acres of communal gardens.
Among its unique features are secret tunnels and the remains of an amphitheatre within two-and-a-half acres of gardens.
An Englishman's home may be his 'castle' but now you can have the real thing - an apartment in a historic London castle (above)... if you can afford the £2.75million price tag
The luxury four-storey household, with plush interiors, is nestled inside Grade I-listed Vanbrugh Castle in Maze Hill, south-east London
The apartment boasts square towers with battlements, 2.5 acres of communal gardens, as well as this deluxe kitchen
Vanbrugh Castle, modelled on the French Bastille, was built in 1718 by highly acclaimed architect Sir John Vanbrugh who lived there with his wife Henrietta Maria Yarborough
The jewel in the crown of this home is a private roof terrace which enjoys sweeping views of the Greenwich observatory and nearby Royal Park
The apartment boasts four bedrooms, a modern kitchen, and a living and dining room consisting of solid wood doors and large picturesque windows
Sir John is best known as the designer of UNESCO World Heritage Site Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire and Castle Howard in North Yorkshire
The master bedroom has a dressing room and a bathroom adjacent to it, while on the second floor lies the three other neat-looking bedrooms
Among its unique features are secret tunnels and the remains of an amphitheatre within the grounds of the beautiful gardens
Architect, dramatist and soldier: The life of Sir John Vanbrugh
Renowned architect: Sir John Vanbrugh
Sir John Vanbrugh (1664-1726) was a British architect famous for designing Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire - principal residence of the Dukes of Marlborough, as well as the birthplace and home of Winston Churchill.
While visiting Calais in 1690, as a foot soldier, he was accused of espionage and imprisoned in the Bastille for two years.
Also an acclaimed dramatist, it was there that he wrote the first draft of a comedy. His first work, The Relapse: Or Virtue in Danger, was a huge success.
After penning several other pieces over the next few years, he switched career in 1702 and became an architect.
His first design was Castle Howard in Yorkshire, for Lord Carlisle. He would go on to design the Queen’s Theatre (or Opera House) in the Haymarket in 1703.
Then, in 1705, John Churchill, 1st duke of Marlborough, asked him to design the palace at Woodstock, Oxfordshire - Blenheim Palace.
There followed several more country houses in the style of castles - such as Kimbolton Castle in Huntingdon (1707–10) and Kings Weston in Gloucestershire (now in Bristol; c. 1710–14).
But Blenheim remains his most famous work.
Vanbrugh Castle, believed to have been modelled on the French Bastille, was built in 1718 by highly acclaimed architect Sir John Vanbrugh, who lived there with his wife Henrietta Maria Yarborough until his death aged 62 in 1726.
The politically radical Vanbrugh was imprisoned in the Bastille in his youth for espionage.
He was also involved in a plot to overthrow James II and put William III on the throne, to protect English parliamentary democracy.
Sir John is best known as the designer of UNESCO World Heritage Site Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire and Castle Howard in North Yorkshire.
Vanbrugh Castle has since been used as an RAF school for the sons of servicemen killed in the World Wars but was restored and refurbished by the Blackheath Preservation Trust for luxury living space.
The apartment - currently owned by Dave Edgar and his wife, Barbara, who have lived there for more than 20 years - boasts four bedrooms, a modern kitchen, and a living and dining room consisting of solid wood doors and large picturesque windows.
The master bedroom has a dressing room and a bathroom adjacent to it, while on the second floor lies the three other neat-looking bedrooms.
The basement has a utility room and large cellar while outside there is an annex along with two off-street parking spaces.
Paul Kirby from Fine & Country said: 'Vanbrugh Castle presents a fantastic opportunity for someone to live in a historic castle while having all the benefits of London on the doorstep.
'The most impressive feature of the four-storey household is the expansive private roof terrace that boasts far-reaching views of the London skyline.
'Because the property sits upon a hilltop, you overlook the lush communal gardens, the wonderful Greenwich observatory and the nearby Royal Park.
'We think the property would suit a family who want the best of London living in a welcoming and friendly location.'
The castle's design is believed to have been inspired by the Bastille, where the politically radical Vanbrugh was imprisoned in his youth for espionage
Paul Kirby from Fine & Country said: 'Vanbrugh Castle presents a fantastic opportunity for someone to live in a historic castle while having all the benefits of London on the doorstep'
Vanbrugh Castle has since been used as an RAF school for the sons of servicemen killed in the World Wars but was restored and refurbished by the Blackheath Preservation Trust for luxury living space
After penning several comedies following his imprisonment, Sir John switched career in 1702 and became an architect
The basement has a utility room and large cellar while outside there is an annex along with two off-street parking spaces
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