Sherborne House and its stunning murals hits the market for £2million

The early 18th Century property was designed by Benjamin Bastard and once played host to a private reading by Charles Dickens.

But while it is one one of the Westcountry’s finest Georgian mansions, the home in Sherborne, Dorset, is in desperate need of renovation.

• MANSION AND MURAL: Sherborne House is an extraordinary mansion with a stunning mural by the artist behind the dome at St Paul’s Cathedral and it has been put up for sale for £2 million. PICTURE: SWNS

However, one feature in perfect condition is the enormous Baroque mural by renowned artist Sir James Thornhill, whose work appears at St Paul’s Cathedral, Hampton Court and Blenheim Palace.

Thornhill painted The Hunting of the Calydonian Boar in around 1725 and it extends 360 degrees around the winding staircase as well as the ceiling.

In 2012, the mural was restored and featured in BBC Four show Restoring England’s Heritage.

The remainder of Sherborne House is a blank canvas which is now on the market as a residential property for the first time in 80 years - with a guide price of £2 million.

Arranged over three storeys, the ground floor comprises five large reception rooms.

The first floor has five further reception rooms and the second floor offers another five rooms, which could be transformed into bedroom suites.

A separate ground floor room within the Tudor west wing of the building and an attached original two-storey coach house which could be converted into two self-contained annexes or holiday lets.

Sherborne House is the largest home in the town and is set in almost two acres of grounds.

The property retains a number of original period features including Georgian panelling, fireplaces and tall sash windows which flood the interior with natural light.

David Foot, director at Chesters Commercial, said: “This is an extremely rare opportunity to purchase a unique building with a fascinating heritage that represents one of the most iconic properties in the south west of England.

“It is rare to find a country house of such stately proportions within walking distance of a town centre, and, being ripe for renovation, this is an exciting project for someone looking for a blank canvas to create their dream period home.

“Surrounded by some of the UK’s most visited countryside, the property similarly offers an excellent opportunity for a hotelier looking for a new project.”

Sherborne House dates to 1570 when a Tudor manor house originally occupied the site.

In 1720, the site was bought by politician Henry Seymour Portman, who demolished the original Tudor building, except the west wing which still stands, and employed Dorset based architect Benjamin Bastard to design the Georgian house.

Sherborne House was later home to English actor William Charles Macready, for which the property bears a commemorative exterior plaque.

Macready was a contemporary of Charles Dickens and invited him to the property in 1854. The Victorian author performed a private reading of his works in the drawing room.

In more recent years Sherborne House was home to the Lord Digby Grammar School for Girls and in the 1990s became an arts centre run by the local council.