Little Gaddesden castle home for sale in Hertfordshire: Grade II-listed lodge used by Henry VIII is listed for £1.35 million

A converted gate lodge once linked to the Ashridge House estate - one of Henry VIII’s royal residences – is for sale for £1.35 million.

Little Gaddesden Lodge, a Grade II-listed building in Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire, has foundations dating from 1280, but was rebuilt in 1823 by architect Sir Jeffrey Wyattville.

The 5,000-acre estate was once the home of Ashridge Priory, but it was surrendered to Henry during the dissolution of the monasteries and he left it to his daughter, Elizabeth.

The original gate house was used by Henry as a hunting lodge, but it was badly damaged by Oliver Cromwell’s forces during the Civil War and fell into disrepair before being completely rebuilt.

The lodge was extended in 2000 by Tempietto Architects and the project won a commendation in the Stone Federation Great Britain Natural Stone Awards in 2002.

Gothic archways lead into the covered porch, with an oak entrance door opening into the octagonal hall, an impressive reception room with a carved stone fireplace.

The house has four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a dining area spacious enough for even Henry and his vast retinue.

Outside is a walled garden and electric gates. The house is 2.5 miles from the small market town of Tring, which is a 40-minute rail commute into Euston.