Famous British officer's childhood home with a £2.95 million price tag

A GRAND Victorian property which was the childhood home of 'Lawrence of Arabia' has been put on the market for almost £3 million.

T.E. Lawrence and his family moved to 2 Polstead Road in 1896 when the then future archaeologist and military officer was eight-years-old.

The family later built a bungalow in the back garden for the extroverted teenager to spend his time in.

Lawrence and his brothers attended local schools and, from 1907-1910, he studied history at Jesus College.

Bridgwater Mercury: FAMOUS RESIDENT: A grand Victorian property which was the childhood home of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ has been put on the market for almost £3 million. Picture: SWNS

His childhood home is located on a tree-lined street in one of Central North Oxford's most desirable areas and has a blue plaque on the wall to recognise its famous resident.

Over the past couple of years the house has been at the centre of a heritage row with a number of historians and local campaigners calling for it to be listed.

Bridgwater Mercury: FAMOUS RESIDENT: A grand Victorian property which was the childhood home of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ has been put on the market for almost £3 million. Picture: SWNS

There were fears the next owner could change the layout of the nine-bedroom property, but the calls to list it were rejected.

It has now been put on the market with Savills for £2.95 million.

The large semi-detached property, built in 1890 to a design of HW Moore and filled with period features, now requires modernisation after laying empty for the past two years.

Bridgwater Mercury: FAMOUS RESIDENT: A grand Victorian property which was the childhood home of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ has been put on the market for almost £3 million. Picture: SWNS

It is more than four times the size of the average home and boasts nine bedrooms, four reception rooms, a large garden, parking and the separate annexe.

Ronnie van der Ploeg, director, Savills Summertown, said: "It is a large house which has an annexe in garden which adds another dimension.

"It could be used for a relative looking for independent living, maybe for friends who are staying or as a bolthole for a teenager, which I think is what T.E. Lawrence used it for as a teenager

Bridgwater Mercury: FAMOUS RESIDENT: A grand Victorian property which was the childhood home of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ has been put on the market for almost £3 million. Picture: SWNS

"The home is in a very popular area of Oxford, with interest driven by the schools. The house is larger than most and it is coming onto the market for a the first time in quite a few years.

"It is a bit of a project for someone looking to put their mark on it.

"It will appeal to a family who are drawn to it by the schools and we expect interest from locals, London and international."

Bridgwater Mercury: FAMOUS RESIDENT: A grand Victorian property which was the childhood home of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ has been put on the market for almost £3 million. Picture: SWNS

The property was Lawrence's family home from 1896 and 1921.

It is where T.E. spent his final year before embarking on his travels in the Middle East - where he picked up his nickname 'Lawrence of Arabia.'

In 1918, after returning from war, Lawrence was elected a Fellow Of All Souls College.

Bridgwater Mercury: FAMOUS RESIDENT: A grand Victorian property which was the childhood home of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ has been put on the market for almost £3 million. Picture: SWNS

The diplomat and writer gained international fame as the 'Uncrowned King of Arabia' after uniting Arab tribes against the Turks during the First World War.

He died in a motorcycle accident in 1935, aged just 46.

Calls to list the house were rejected last year. The T.E. Lawrence Society said it was bemused at the decision, because most of the British hero's other homes have already been listed.

Bridgwater Mercury: FAMOUS RESIDENT: A grand Victorian property which was the childhood home of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ has been put on the market for almost £3 million. Picture: SWNS

There have been fresh calls for it to be listed following the announcement the house was going onto the market, with fears it could be bought by a developer and converted into flats.

Bridgwater Mercury: FAMOUS RESIDENT: A grand Victorian property which was the childhood home of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ has been put on the market for almost £3 million. Picture: SWNS