Author Lewis Carroll's former home asks $2.17M
Share and Follow

Take a tumble down the rabbit hole for this property’s colorful history.

The former residence of Lewis Carroll, the author of “Alice in Wonderland” whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, is currently on the market for $2.17 million. This house in North Yorkshire used to be where Carroll’s father, a church official at Ripon Cathedral nearby, lived seasonally.

According to the BBC, the property is being sold by Savills. It was revealed that during the 1850s, the Dodgson family would spend a quarter of the year at this residence. A young Carroll had to pass his school holidays from Oxford University at this house.

Ripon Old Hall, a home built in the early 1700s and modernized in the mid-1800s, is a Georgian-style property. The peculiar interiors of Ripon Cathedral, located right next to it, are believed to have influenced Carroll’s famous children’s tale, “Alice in Wonderland,” published in 1865.

The house itself is filled with eye-catching details, including intricate plasterwork and hand-carved millwork. 

The first floor encompasses three reception rooms, a modern kitchen, a formal dining room and a study, according to the listing. Two upper floors consist of five bedrooms and three bathrooms. 

Period features throughout the home include raised wood paneling, marble floors and stately fireplaces. The home’s original oak staircase is decorated with carved foliage garlands, and the one of the upstairs bedrooms features fluted, Greek-style columns within the wall paneling. 

Most strikingly, perhaps, is the upper hall ceiling, which depicts in the vivid color the Judgement of Paris, a scene from Greek mythology.

While Ripon Old Hall boasts beautiful architectural details, it’s the nearby cathedral where the young author likely drew his inspirations. 

Intricate wooden carvings throughout Ripon Cathedral bear clear resemblances to Carroll’s fantastical characters, including a golden queen upon a red beam and a wide-eyed headless cat sticking out its tongue. Elsewhere, a mythical gryphon pursues a rabbit down a hole. 

“The sale of The Old Hall presents an incredibly rare opportunity to own a slice of history,” said Ed Stoyle, director and at Savills in York, in a statement shared with The Post.

Stoyle added that the 18-century home offers “a window into the changing architecture of the last 300 years.”

The $2.17 million listing also comes with a separate studio apartment, accessed through a private entrance. The space includes its own kitchen, bedroom and a bathroom. 

The property boasts walled gardens, including a “breakfast garden” position to capture the morning sun, or perhaps host a mad tea party.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
California clinic staffers seek to shield ICE agents from detaining Honduran landscaper

California clinic staffers seek to shield ICE agents from detaining Honduran landscaper

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Staff at a California…
Trump will make Powell replacement decision at 'appropriate time'

“Trump to decide on Powell replacement when the time is right”

() Office of Management and Budget director Russel Vought sidestepped a question…
David Muir BEATEN in vital ratings metric by rival

Rival surpasses David Muir in important ratings category

David Muir has been beaten in a vital ratings metric by NBC…
Schumer presses RFK Jr. to declare measles emergency

Schumer Urges RFK Jr. to Declare Measles Emergency

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) called on Health and Human Services…
Darius Miles set for trial Dec. 1 in Tuscaloosa shooting

Trial Date Set for Darius Miles in Tuscaloosa Shooting Case

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — A former Alabama basketball player is set to…
Federal judge restricts LAPD from targeting journalists with force at immigration protests

Federal judge restricts LAPD from targeting journalists with force at immigration protests

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A Los Angeles-based federal…
Tucker Carlson makes allegations about Jeffrey Epstein 'client list'

Tucker Carlson claims there is a list of clients of Jeffrey Epstein

During a political event aimed at young voters in Florida, Tucker Carlson…
Boeing settles with Paul Njoroge, man whose wife, 3 children died in 737 Max crash in Ethiopia in 2019, averting trial in Chicago

Boeing reaches settlement with Paul Njoroge, man who lost wife and 3 children in 2019 Ethiopian 737 Max crash, avoiding trial in Chicago

CHICAGO — Boeing reached a settlement Friday with a Canadian man whose…