By National property consultancy Carter Jonas, acting on behalf of the owners of Alton Abbey, has launched this significant and unusual property opportunity in the village of Beech, close to Alton in Hampshire, to the sales market.
The 26,954 sq ft (2,504 sq m) Anglican Benedictine monastery, with further ancillary buildings including a gatehouse, church and bungalow, is located approximately 17 miles north-east of Winchester and 13 miles south of Basingstoke. It has future potential for a range of alternative uses including hospitality, residential and later living.
The Abbey, founded in 1895, is a unique historic treasure set over 43.59 acres (17.6 hectares) of Hampshire countryside. The current buildings were designed by Sir Charles Nicholson, using Tintern Abbey in Wales as a model. The first monks did much of the construction in the early 20th century using local flint. Construction is understood to have been completed in 1984, with the addition of a meeting room and monastic library.
Alton Abbey is currently owned by the trustees of the charity The Order of St Benedict At Alton Abbey. For nearly 130 years, over 80 monks and one nun have been life-professed within the monastery. Recently, the community has dwindled and so it is no longer viable to house the community. After a long period of discernment, the decision has been made to relocate them and, consequently sell the Abbey.
The town of Alton provides a number of supermarkets, a range of health and leisure facilities, as well as independent retailers and restaurants. There is good access to the M3 via the A31 (approximately 15mins), and the two nearby stations provide a service to London Waterloo (approximately 1h15mins).
Emma Jewson, Partner, Carter Jonas (Oxford) commented, “We are very pleased to offer this exciting and unique development opportunity in this stunning location. We anticipate significant interest and have high aspirations for this important piece of Hampshire’s history.”
The Abbey will be sold freehold. A microsite containing supporting plans and information has been created and access details are available from the selling agent.
The closing date for tenders is noon on Tuesday 20 August.
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