A home Henry VIII gave Anne of Cleves as part of their annulment settlement recently went on sale. T

October 2024 · 4 minute read

As Toby Whittome, the director of real-estate agency Jackson-Stops Mid Sussex, told Insider, "If only the walls could whisper the secrets of a thousand years," this home would certainly have lots to tell.

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Wings Place, formerly called Ditchling Garden Manor, first appears in records from 1095 and was given to Anne of Cleves by Henry VIII as part of their annulment settlement in 1540. Even though the five-bedroom, three-bathroom Tudor home in East Sussex, England, has undergone a few modern updates, it's retained its fairy-tale-esque charm.

It recently hit the market for £2.25 million, or $2.86 million. As of June 2023, the house has been sold, subject to contract.

Keep reading to learn more about the history of Wings Place and to see inside this one-of-a-kind home.

Wings Place, formerly known as Ditchling Garden Manor, is a Tudor home in East Sussex, England.

Wings Place. Jackson-Stops

According to its listing agency, Jackson-Stops Mid Sussex, the house is on a site that has been inhabited for over 1,000 years.

The entryway. Jackson-Stops

Source: Jackson-Stops

It is first mentioned in records in 1095 as part of a priory.

A reading nook. Jackson-Stops

Source: Jackson-Stops

But following the dissolution of monasteries, the property was handed over to Henry VIII in 1537.

A reception room. Jackson-Stops

Source: Jackson-Stops

He gave it to his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, in 1540 as part of an annulment settlement following their short-lived marriage. After Anne's death in 1557, the home reverted back to the crown under Elizabeth I.

The library. Jackson-Stops

Source: Jackson-Stops

Over the years the house has changed hands multiple times, and it was recently put on the market for £2.25 million, or $2.86 million.

The hallway. Jackson-Stops

Source: Jackson-Stops

The home has 4,200-square-foot of internal living space. Some of its rooms still look straight out of the 1500s, like the dining room, which has exposed beams.

The dining room. Jackson-Stops

Source: Jackson-Stops

Other rooms, like the kitchen, have been modernized, but have still kept the Tudor charm.

The kitchen. Jackson-Stops

The kitchen now has a large island, painted cupboards, and underfloor heating, according to the listing.

The kitchen backsplash. Jackson-Stops

Source: Jackson-Stops

This is one of the four reception rooms inside the home.

A reception room. Jackson-Stops

Source: Jackson-Stops

Wings Place also has five bedrooms — one has a bathtub in the room.

One of the bedrooms. Jackson-Stops

Source: Jackson-Stops

Another can be found on the gabled second floor with exposed beams.

Another bedroom. Jackson-Stops

Source: Jackson-Stops

Wings Place also has three bathrooms.

A bathroom. Jackson-Stops

Source: Jackson-Stops

The charming home wouldn't look out of place inside a fairy tale.

Another view of a bedroom. Jackson-Stops

"Wings Place is simply extraordinary in every way," Jackson-Stops Mid Sussex director Toby Whittome told Insider. "It's very rare to come across a property that has so much history. If only the walls could whisper the secrets of a thousand years."

Another bedroom. Jackson-Stops

"Wings Place provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to call a property with such distinguished architectural and historical importance home," he continued.

Inside one of the bedrooms. Jackson-Stops

Don't miss the outside either — Wings Place is situated in a national park. Greenery is everywhere.

The backyard. Jackson-Stops

Source: Jackson-Stops

The stone terrace leads to a beautiful view of the grounds.

The garden. Jackson-Stops

Beyond Wings Place and the small, historic town of Ditchling, you can see the hills in the distance.

The view. Jackson-Stops

Stepping inside Wings Place almost seems like traveling back in time — any history buff would enjoy this home.

The exterior of Wings Place. Jackson-Stops

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