Page 21 - Oundle Life July 2023

Government issued a compulsory purchase order in 2004 and bought the palace for £3.5 million then spent another £8 million over eight years restoring it. In 2008 the partially
property (it has been estimated that another £6 million is required for renovation work) and has stated that his intention for Apethorpe is
restored palace was put on the market for £4.5 million but, after six years, a buyer still hadn’t been found, forcing the government to sell the property for just £2.5 million in 2015.
Now fully restored, the Prebendal Manor remains
a private residence
to ‘regain the place in British history it deserves.’
Apethorpe Palace is open to the public for pre-booked guided tours in July and August. Tours last round 90 minutes and cost £10. Pre-booking is a requisite. To book tour visit www.english-heritage.org. uk Children under 12 are not permitted.
After losing out to the tune of
£11.5 million on the purchase,
restoration, and sale of the property,
the government’s condition of sale
to French professor, diplomat, and
academic Jean Christophe Iseux, Baron
von Pfetten, was that the house must be open to the public for 50 days every year for the next 80 years.
Stuart Barker is a professional writer and author. He has a keen interest in local history and likes nothing better than riding round Northants visiting historical sites on his motorcycle.
Baron von Pfetten – who spent ten years renovating a 17th century French Chateaux – also agreed to continue the restoration of the
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Centre and bottom right images courtesy of ©English Heritage
Image courtesy of ©James P. Miller www.lowlandrambler.com