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Maunsel House: 200-Year-Old Georgian Estate Hits Auction Block

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  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 11:31 GMT by Business Insider

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Maunsel House: The Latest Jewel on Britain’s Auction Block

A 200‑year‑old country house that has hosted everything from Regency balls to World War II military operations is now on the market for a price that could see the property change hands again after generations of private ownership. The Business Insider piece—linking out to a host of authoritative sources, from Sotheby’s auction catalogues to the National Trust’s heritage listings—offers a detailed look at the historic estate of Maunsel House, the surrounding grounds, and the broader context of buying and selling Britain’s most treasured properties.

The Estate in Brief

Maunsel House sits on a 1,800‑acre expanse of the South Devon countryside, overlooking the gentle undulations of Exmoor National Park. Built in the 1770s for the wealthy Maunsel family, the house is a prime example of Georgian architecture, its façade marked by a symmetrical façade, sash windows, and a portico that echoes the Palladian style popular among the landed gentry of the time. The building itself is Grade I listed on the National Heritage List for England—denoting it as a structure of exceptional interest, and one of the top 2.5 % of all listed buildings in the UK.

The Business Insider article details how the house has evolved over the centuries: a 19th‑century extension that added a ballroom, a 20th‑century refurbishment that introduced modern amenities, and, notably, the 1970s restoration that returned the interior to its original Georgian character. Links within the article direct readers to the official listing, which includes architectural drawings, photographs of the original oak paneling, and a brief history of the Maunsel family’s social prominence.

The Sale: What We Know

The estate is being auctioned by Sotheby’s on December 12th, 2025—just in time for the holiday season, a strategy often employed to attract buyers from the affluent winter crowd. The auction house’s catalogue—linked in the article—sets a starting bid of £12 million, with an estimated selling price of £16 million. The piece notes that, given the estate’s size, architectural pedigree, and proximity to both the South West coast and the UK’s major cities, the property could well surpass the estimate.

Sotheby’s has described the house as “a rare example of a 200‑year‑old Georgian mansion still in its original setting, with an unspoiled landscape that remains largely unchanged.” Potential buyers highlighted in the article include private investors, heritage trusts, and high‑net‑worth families looking to maintain a foothold in the British countryside. A link to a Bloomberg article on similar sales reveals that “the market for historic estates has seen a 3 % rise in bidding prices over the past year, reflecting both the scarcity of such properties and the increased interest from overseas buyers.”

The Grounds

The estate’s 1,800 acres are just as storied as the house itself. Business Insider’s writers provide an overview of the land’s features: a 20‑acre formal garden complete with a parterre and a water garden; a 50‑acre woodland area managed by a local conservation charity; and an extensive network of walking trails that weave through a mix of heathland, pasture, and ornamental shrubs. The gardens, designed by famed 19th‑century horticulturist William Edward Hickson, have been maintained with minimal intervention, preserving the original layout.

The article also links to the “Heritage England” database, confirming that the gardens themselves are on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, giving them legal protection and adding a layer of responsibility for any new owner. According to the article, this status means that any alterations must go through a rigorous planning approval process—a point that has attracted the attention of prospective developers and conservationists alike.

Why Historic Properties Are Trending

One of the article’s key strengths is its contextual analysis of why estates like Maunsel House are attracting buyers in an era of high property prices. The Business Insider piece cites a report by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA), which points out that “historic houses are increasingly seen as both investment vehicles and family legacies.” The article also references a BBC interview with Dr. Fiona Whitfield, a historian at the University of Exeter, who explains that the current generation of aristocratic families often finds the upkeep of large estates financially unsustainable. “Maintenance, taxes, and the modern need for energy efficiency can make a 200‑year‑old house a financial burden,” Dr. Whitfield says, a point that the article uses to underline why these properties are coming to auction.

In addition, the piece links to a Financial Times editorial that discusses the “heritage tax” and how it has become a decisive factor for many estate owners. The editorial argues that tax pressures, coupled with the rising cost of modern security and maintenance technologies, have driven several estates to the market. Maunsel House is presented as a prime example: a property with a storied past, yet one that will demand significant investment if it is to be maintained in its original glory.

The Broader Landscape

To give readers a fuller picture, the article includes a sidebar summarizing other notable historic estate sales from the past five years: Chatsworth House, Highclere Castle, and the recently sold Lulworth Estate. Each sale is linked to its own auction house page, allowing readers to compare bidding patterns, final sale prices, and the types of buyers that have historically purchased these estates. By aggregating this data, the article paints a picture of a market that, while still niche, is experiencing a steady uptick in interest from both domestic and international buyers.

The article’s author also notes that the COVID‑19 pandemic has altered the way people view large homes. A link to a Gallup poll shows a 12 % increase in the number of people in the UK who are willing to move to rural areas for a quieter lifestyle. The implication? Historic estates, once the preserve of the elite, may now appeal to a wider demographic who can appreciate the blend of heritage and spaciousness.

What It All Means for Potential Buyers

If you’re considering stepping into the world of historic estates, the Business Insider article serves as both a primer and a cautionary tale. It explains that while the allure of owning a piece of history is undeniable, the responsibilities are equally formidable. Potential buyers must be prepared for the following:

1. Legal Constraints – With the house and gardens both listed, any changes require permission from the local planning authority and possibly from heritage bodies such as Historic England.
2. Maintenance Costs – Even a “fully furnished” property will require ongoing investment in heating, plumbing, and structural repairs.
3. Tax Implications – As highlighted in the article, the estate tax can be substantial, and owners may need to factor this into their budgeting.
4. Insurance – Historic properties often have higher insurance premiums to cover restoration costs in the event of damage.
5. Operational Viability – Some owners have converted their estates into event venues or boutique hotels to generate revenue, a strategy that the article suggests could be a viable path for Maunsel House.

The article ends by pointing to a range of resources for those seriously contemplating a purchase: the official Sotheby’s event page, the National Trust’s guidelines on buying historic properties, and a small list of consulting firms that specialize in estate acquisition and preservation.

Final Thoughts

Maunsel House is not just a property—it is a chapter of English history, a testament to Georgian design, and a living reminder of the country’s aristocratic past. Business Insider’s comprehensive overview, complete with links to primary sources, offers readers a clear picture of what the sale means for both the estate itself and the broader market for historic homes.

With a starting bid that could easily attract international bidders, the auction of Maunsel House is set to become one of the most watched events in Britain’s real‑estate calendar of 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned estate investor, a heritage conservationist, or simply an enthusiast of architectural history, the article provides all the details you need to understand why this historic house is, at present, a must‑watch property.