Witanhurst is a large Grade II* listed Georgian Revival mansion located in Highgate, North London. The mansion, which is the second largest private residence in London after Buckingham Palace, is situated on a 5-acre (2.0 ha) plot and has had several prominent owners since being rebuilt by soap magnate Sir Arthur Crosfield in the 1930s.
The original estate, known as Parkfield, dates back to 1774 and was situated at the junction of Highgate West Hill and The Grove. The current house was built between 1913 and 1920 by architect George Hubbard for Sir Arthur Crosfield on an 11-acre (4.5 ha) site. The mansion is thought to have 65 rooms, including 25 bedrooms, spread out over three floors. These include a Drawing Room, Study, Chinese Room, Billiard Room, and a Gallery hallway. It also has a 70ft ballroom that boasts oak flooring, walnut panels, and cornices with gold leaf.
In the late twentieth-century and early twenty-first century, English Heritage placed the property on its Buildings at Risk Register due to increasing dilapidation. After its 2008 sale to an offshore company owned by the family of Russian businessman Andrey Guryev, it underwent substantial refurbishment. The redevelopment of Witanhurst has received widespread attention in the media, much of it focusing on the large basement extension to the main house that extends for two storeys below the entire footprint of the building.
Witanhurst, a large Grade II* listed Georgian Revival mansion in Highgate, North London, has indeed been used as a filming location for several productions. The BBC TV movie “The Lost Prince” (2003) filmed scenes at Witanhurst House, which served as the setting for Sandringham interiors and George’s dressing room in Malborough House.
The TV series “Tipping the Velvet” also used Witanhurst as a filming location, where it was portrayed as Mrs. Letherby’s house.
Furthermore, Witanhurst is well-known as the home of the TV show “Fame Academy”. The mansion’s grandeur and historical significance have made it a popular choice for various production companies seeking a distinctive and opulent backdrop for their projects.
The mansion is said to be worth $450 million.