- Hallington Hall was on the market for 5.95m but a year on it is now 5.25m because it has not been sold
- Sol Campbell bought it with his wife Fiona while playimg for Newcastle and had wedding reception there
- It contains giant portrait of Mr Campbell and a wall full of framed football shirts – but these are not for sale
- Former England defender put it up for sale a year after racist local in Hexham asked him about his ‘tan’
|
View
comments
Former England star Sol Campbell has had to slash 700,000 off the price of his Northumberland stately home because he is struggling to sell it. Grade II-listed Hallington Hall near Whittington was put on the market for a reported 5.95million but a year on it has been cut to 5.25million. The former Arsenal, Spurs and England player spent a fortune renovating the sprawling 60-acre estate, which has nine bedrooms, seven en-suite, a games room, a cinema and three cottages in the grounds.
Inside the stately home is said to be a giant portrait of the footballer and an entire wall of framed football shirts, but these are not included in the price. It was at Hallington Hall, which was built in 1768, where the central defender and his wife Fiona had their wedding reception but they moved back to London after he only spent one season at Newcastle United.
For sale: Hallington Hall in Northumberland was put on the market by Sol Campbell for a reported 5.95million but a year on it has been cut to 5.25million
Grand: The mansion near Whittington comes with three cottages and is set behind a walled garden and security gates
Portrait: The stately home contains this giant picture of Mr Campbell’s face – but this is not included in the sale price
Happy day: Sol married his wife Fiona in Northumberland and had their reception an the grand house, built in 1768
The Georgian mansion was built for industrialist Ralph Soulsby, whose family retained ownership until 1928. It then passed to the Trevelyan family until 1962, when it was sold by the great historian, Sir George Trevelyan. The house was put on the market a year after Sol was racially abused when he was walking in Hexham town centre with his family when a passer-by asked him about his tan.
His wife Fiona is the daughter of North East builder Lawrie Barratt, an interior designer who was responsible for designing much of the renovation the couple carried out. The house is set behind a walled garden and security gates. Estate agents Savills has confirmed it is still on their books and their brochure boasts: ‘Renovated with the utmost attention to detail by the present owners, an award-winning interior designer, this magnificent grade II-listed Georgian country house occupies a private setting amid 60 acres of formal grounds, woodland and grassland.
‘The hall provides exceptional accommodation, spanning three floors, comprising three principal receptions rooms, a stunning family kitchen, study, playroom, shower room plus ancillary rooms along with seven en-suite bedrooms, two further bedrooms and a family bathroom. A wonderful games room and cinema room complete the second floor.’
Home: Inside the stately home is said to be a giant portrait of the footballer and an entire wall of framed football shirts, but these are not included in the price
Documentary: The former England, Spurs and Arsenal defender showed cameras around the property as he redeveloped it
His wife Fiona (pictured pointing at a Real Madrid shirt) is the daughter of North East builder Lawrie Barratt, an interior designer who was responsible for designing much of the renovation the couple carried out
The couple employed local craftsmen to create wardrobes, doors and bookcases all designed by Fiona Barratt Interiors and made in Northumberland.
And anyone interested in buying will get more than one house for their money. There are three cottages in addition to the main home which have also been renovated to a similarly high standard, as well as many outbuildings. Savills say: ‘The various stone outbuildings have been cleverly utilised to incorporate a gymnasium, garaging, stabling and machinery sheds.’
Famous neighbours include Steve Cram, while Alan Shearer is a frequent visitor to nearby Matfen Hall, where there is a popular golf course.
Since the end of his playing career he has tried to forge a career in politics and was almost the Conservative candidate for the election of a London mayor.
- SHARE PICTURE