Potential buyers of the home made famous for Captain Sir Tom Moore’s record-breaking walks have been told they can swim in the sprawling property’s pond.
The exclusive Grade II listed property, which sits in 3.4 acres of walled gardens, is on the market for £2 million after the war hero’s family were forced to flog it.
The Old Rectory in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire, was originally put up for sale last April after Capt Sir Tom’s daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, and her husband, Colin, were ordered to bulldoze the £200,000 spa complex built without permission.
Central Bedfordshire Council told them to demolish the building, which contained a spa pool, after the family lost an appeal following a ruling from the planning inspector that it was at odds with the historic mansion.
The house was removed from the market at the end of last year after it failed to sell, but it is now being marketed by Micheal Graham estate agents with those interested in the famous des res told they could use the moat and pond for boating or swimming.
The pond is positioned in front of the area where the spa building once stood and contains Koi and Mirror Carp. The remains of a moat run along the southern boundary of the property.
The sales particulars state: “The property is set in the centre of private wraparound gardens which extend to approximately 3.4 acres and include a part moat and a pond which attract a variety of wildlife and can be used for boating or swimming.”
It adds: “The remains of a moat runs along the southern boundary and there is also a pond at the rear, both of which have been stocked with Koi or Mirror Carp.
“The vendors added water circulation to both, built a bridge over the moat, and installed internal garden fences and gates to keep children and dogs away from the water.”
The Old Rectory, which has seven bedrooms and four bathrooms, was lived in by Capt Sir Tom with his daughter Hannah, Colin and children Benjie and Georgia. It also has a separate coach house, which is being used as a gym.
Mr and Mrs Ingram-Moore were given permission to make a Captain Tom Foundation Building in their garden to store cards and gifts sent by admirers, but they added a sauna and spa, which were not part of the original plans.
Second World War soldier Capt Sir Tom became a global icon and inspirational figure during the Covid pandemic after helping to raise a phenomenal £39 million for the NHS from his heroic garden walks. He was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle and died in February 2021 aged 100.
The Captain Tom Foundation was set up as a legacy charity after his death.
Speaking to the Express in her only newspaper interview previously, Hannah broke down explaining how she had become a hate figure after vicious allegations circulated that she had her fingers in the till with one furious individual posting online: “Captain Tom walked so his daughter could swim.” Another added: “He did laps of his garden so she could do laps of her pool.”
Hannah said: “People think the foundation received £38.9 million and there is no separation between the phenomenal three-and-a-half weeks in which money was raised by my father for NHS Charities Together and the Captain Tom Foundation, which we set up later.
“My father’s incredible journey started on April 6, 2020 and ended on April 30, 2020 with all money going to NHS Charities Together, which was responsible for distributing it. The charity was founded in June and officially launched in September 2020.”