The former home of Peter Pan novelist J.M Barrie has just gone on the market for £8.5 million in the heart of Kensington.
J.M Barrie lived in the six-bedroom home in 1890 and used the top floor balcony as inspiration for writing the novel (something you may recognise as the spot where characters Wendy and Peter stood before leaving for the fictional country of Neverland).
The remarkable property for sale is arranged over four floors, and has wonderful period features such as solid wooden flooring and ornate cornicing. Other standout features include the large reception rooms, grand bedrooms, fully-fitted kitchen, sprawling views and a practical utility room.
Fans of the boy who never grew up will also love the brick feature wall in the dining room, mint green walls making a statement in the living room and the striking unmissable wallpaper styles. While the house might not be particularly modern, it is packed with plenty of charming touches.
Built-in wardrobes and storage units in the bedroom mean new homeowners will have space for belongings, while the free-standing rose-coloured bath upstairs is the kind of place perfect for relaxing after a long day.
As for the gardens, the property has both a front and back garden. Windows in the home look out onto the communal gardens of Hereford Square, so expect ridiculously pretty views all year round.
'Homes with unique history are always bound to generate interest, however this beautiful period home in South Kensington will strike a unique chord with those who are either still young at heart or never grew old,' explains Laura Howard, Consumer Expert at Zoopla.
'Being able to read bedtime stories to your children in the same nursery that inspired J.M. Barrie to write his iconic Peter Pan book, will be sure to spark their imagination like no other.'
Want to live in this stunning home? It's currently on the market for £8.5 million via Zoopla.
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New home gifts: 17 best housewarming gifts for 2023
Great for low maintenance plant parents or a novice gardener, the Peace Lily produces ethereal white flowers and luscious green leaves. Pretty to look at, easy to care for and air purifying – this is a new home gift that does it all.
This is a brilliant personalised new home gift for cheese lovers. The cheese board also has a hidden compartment containing a complete set of cheese knives.
This lovely gift set from The White Company includes the Seychelles signature candle, room spray and diffuser for a home that will smell truly delightful. This best-selling scent combines notes of evocative bergamot, bright orange and fresh coconut, with a hint of green jasmine, warming amber and buttery vanilla.
The perfect home greeting, this rectangular coconut fibre doormat with a cut-out 'welcome' text is a must-have for a new abode.
A throw is a great idea for either a sofa or bed or even draped over a chair. This geometric throw, in contemporary shades of blossom and mist, is finished with a tassel edge and will look lovely wherever it's styled.
Why not buy a charming, personalised keyring? This one is crafted from durable English pewter, but best of all, it can be personalised with a house number, two initials in each corner, and a symbol.
For a truly luxurious gift, buy this new home hamper, presented in a stylish wicker laundry basket. It's filled with everything a person could ever need to settle into a new home, including treats such as Prosecco, chocolates and shortbread thins, to useful household staples such as washing up liquid and cleaning spray, and a diffuser from M&S' Apothecary range to gently scent their living space.
This is a budget-friendly gift that is both practical and stylish, and great for tablescaping. Pair with taper candles for an elegant gift that can be used during mealtimes or decoratively on a sideboard or mantelpiece.
A kitchen must-have, other than chopping up vegetables for dinner, this chunky, mango wood board is a rustic way to serve up canapés and countless other tasty treats.
This collection was designed to make everyone feel at home. Inside you'll find vanilla biscuits and a small bottle of Biscuiteers Prosecco. This is a lovely housewarming gift if you're looking for something extra to accompany your main present idea.
Another great gift for a new plant parent, this bundle includes one succulent, one Monstera plant (aka the Instagrammable Swiss Cheese plant) and one Calathea.
Give the gift of a lovely new photo frame, perfect for a sideboard or new home office. It's a bright and playful design, with a hand-painted wiggle pattern in soft sage green.
A pair of these elegant flutes combined with a bottle of bubbly is the perfect way to toast a new home.
Made from high-quality stoneware in an organic shape, this platter not only serves as a kitchen accessory but as a handy catchall for keys, too.
Lisa Joyner is the Senior Digital Writer at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
