The listed family home where Captain Sir Tom Moore walked laps of his garden to raise millions of pounds for the NHS during the Covid pandemic has gone on sale for £2.25m.
The sight of the 99-year-old war veteran walking lengths of his garden, aided by a walking frame, charmed Britain in lockdown and raised £38.9m for health service charities.
But the story turned sour after allegations of a conflict of interest over the now-closed charity his family set up after his death, and the enforced demolition of a spa pool block built in the grounds of the property in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.
Now, minus the spa pool block, the Grade II-listed Old Rectory is up for sale, described as a “magnificent seven-bedroom property” with an “iconic driveway”.
A video tour by the estate agent Fine & Country, shows a sculpture of Captain Tom with his walking frame. It also features a photograph of him being knighted by the Queen, displayed in the coach housebuilding within the grounds, which is being used as a gym and office.
Potential buyers will have to provide valid identification and proof they have the funds before viewing the property and sign a confidentiality agreement, the estate agent states.
Introducing the property in the video, the estate agent, Haydn van Weenen, says: “I’m sure you’ll recognise this iconic and very famous driveway behind me as it was home to the late Captain Sir Tom Moore, who walked 100 laps of his garden raising over £37m for NHS charities.”
Captain Tom completed his charity challenge before his 100th birthday in April 2020. He was knighted by the late Queen during a unique open-air ceremony at Windsor Castle that summer.
The Charity Commission opened a case into the Captain Tom Foundation shortly after his death in 2021 and launched an inquiry in June 2022 to investigate concerns about the charity’s management and independence from Captain Tom’s family.
Scott Stemp, representing Captain Tom’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband, said last year that the foundation would be closed after an investigation by the Charity Commission.
He was speaking at an appeal hearing over an unauthorised spa pool block in the grounds of the property. The block was demolished in February this year following the orders of an inspector, Diane Fleming, in November.
The sale listing said the 18th-century Old Rectory has four bathrooms, four reception rooms and is set in 3.5 acres of land, with a standalone coach house.
An agent’s note states that, before viewing the property, any interested parties will have to “provide proof of financial ability to proceed with the purchase”.
