A little piece of literary history has come to the property market in Southwold. 

Former home of George Orwell, Montague House is a charming mid-18^th Century, 4-bedroom home described in the town’s Conservation Charter Appraisal as being ‘one of the jewels in Southwold’s architectural collection’ is waiting to start it’s next chapter with new owners.

The George Orwell Connection

Famous for writing ‘Animal Farm’ (1945) and ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ (1949), the English novelist, essayist and critic George Orwell, aka Eric Arthur Blair (1903 – 1950) lived at Montague House from 1932 to 1941 after serving the police in Burma, now Myanmar.  It is here that he wrote his second novel ‘A Clergyman’s Daughter’. 

His love of Southwold influenced this particular work significantly with the fictional setting of ‘Knype Hill’ modelled on the beautiful seaside town and the character of ‘Dorothy Hare’ bearing great similarities to 1930s PE Mistress at St Felix School, Brenda Salkeld.

Orwell’s residence at the property is celebrated with a plaque on its red-brick exterior which was unveiled by the Orwell Society in 2018.

Bright, Spacious and Flexible Living

Standing proud at the top of Southwold High Street, Montague House provides light and spacious accommodation with a delightful enclosed rear garden.  This Grade II Listed building retains many of its original features having been tastefully renovated to incorporate more modern conveniences.

The accommodation, on the ground floor, provides two characterful reception rooms, a well fitted kitchen with adjacent utility room and a spacious shower room with generous storage. On the first floor are four bedrooms, again, retaining lots of character and a family bathroom. Outside, the rear garden is well stocked with established shrubs and trees. There are two garden stores and a very pretty garden room at the end of plot which faces west.

Montague House is offered to market at £825,000 with no onward chain having been, in more recent times, a very successful holiday retreat.  Viewing by appointment. Please get in touch on 01502 723292.  View full property details here.