Georgian house linked to Elizabeth Taylor and Stephen Hawking for sale

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 15 Nov, 12:27 · Archive

Byron House in Highgate, a Grade II* listed Georgian mansion built in the early 1720s and later a preparatory school, is on the market for £3,995,000.

Byron House, a Grade II* listed Georgian mansion in North Road, Highgate, has been placed on the market for £3,995,000. The property was originally built as a country villa by lawyer Edmund Byron in the early 1720s and later operated as Byron House preparatory school for 65 years, from 1897 to 1962.

The school was favoured by London's intelligentsia and used Montessori teaching methods, focusing on individual activity and free expression. Among its notable pupils were Poet Laureate John Betjeman, who described the school in his poem 'Summoned by Bells' and was taught by fellow poet T.S. Eliot, and film star Elizabeth Taylor, who started kindergarten there in September 1937 while living in Hampstead Garden Suburb. Taylor attended for two years before her family moved to the United States in 1939 at the outbreak of war.

Physicist Stephen Hawking also attended the school between 1897 and 1962, and later blamed its progressive teaching methods for the fact that he did not learn to read until he was eight years old.

Today the 300-year-old property is a seven-bedroom four-storey end of terrace house with 3,823 square feet of accommodation. It includes several grand reception rooms and features a plaque commemorating Betjeman, who grew up in nearby Highgate West Hill and later attended Highgate School. The property went on the market this week with estate agent Prickett and Ellis.

How it is being reported

• Georgian gem linked to a Hollywood icon and Stephen Hawking on sale for almost £4mGrade II* listed Byron House - a former school attended by John Betjeman, Elizabeth Taylor and Stephen Hawking - is for sale at £3,995,000.Croydon Guardian · 15 Nov, 12:00
• Georgian gem linked to a Hollywood icon and Stephen Hawking on sale for almost £4mGrade II* listed Byron House - a former school attended by John Betjeman, Elizabeth Taylor and Stephen Hawking - is for sale at £3,995,000.News Shopper · 15 Nov, 12:00
• Georgian gem linked to a Hollywood icon and Stephen Hawking on sale for almost £4mGrade II* listed Byron House - a former school attended by John Betjeman, Elizabeth Taylor and Stephen Hawking - is for sale at £3,995,000.This Is Local London · 15 Nov, 12:00
• Georgian gem linked to a Hollywood icon and Stephen Hawking on sale for almost £4mGrade II* listed Byron House - a former school attended by John Betjeman, Elizabeth Taylor and Stephen Hawking - is for sale at £3,995,000.Wandsworth Guardian · 15 Nov, 12:00

In this story: Byron House · Highgate · John Betjeman · Elizabeth Taylor · Stephen Hawking · Edmund Byron · T.S. Eliot · Prickett and Ellis

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