The house built as a big wardrobe for the Royal Family
If you fancy living in a Tudor monarch’s former walk-in wardrobe then this three-bedroom home is definitely for you.
That’s because this charming 15th century Richmond property was where Queen Elizabeth I used to keep all her personal possessions and clothes.
It’s part of a terrace known as The Wardrobe and is the only surviving part of Richmond Palace, built by Henry VII on the site of the medieval Sheen Palace in London between 1498 and 1501.
The enchanting Grade I-listed property is nestled between Richmond Green and the River Thames and boasts an incredibly rich history.
Richmond Palace was a favourite residence of Queen Elizabeth I, and it was in The Wardrobe that her clothes were stored.
She needed a cupboard the size of a building to house everything and in the roof alone, it is said that 2,000 of her dresses were found in large chests.
Among the Tudor palace’s former residents are Henry VIII, particularly during the early days of his reign, Catherine of Aragon and Charles I.
Today, all that remains of the Tudor original is the front wall, part of the Palace’s courtyard, and heavy timberwork from the 1500s.
In Queen Anne’s reign, The Wardrobe underwent its most extensive renovation, undertaken by Sir Christopher Wren, it is believed. The Wardrobe was then divided into three buildings in 1957 by the Crown Estate.
The Wardrobe is now a magnificent end-of-terrace family home, with hugely spacious living areas and a sizeable 100ft private garden.
In the garden you’ll also find a pond and an ancient Judas tree. It’s bordered by one of the original palace walls, believed to have once provided access to the Palace Chapel.
This property is listed for sale with Chestertons.
