Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones, known as Lord Snowdon, have had their former country retreat, The Old House, placed on the market for the first time in its more than 500-year history. The property, located in West Sussex, England, is listed with the Blue Book Agency for approximately $5.3 million.

Originally constructed in 1481, the cottage came into the possession of the Messel family in 1890 and was passed down through generations before Oliver Messel, a designer and Lord Snowdon’s uncle, gifted it to the royal couple prior to their marriage.

The 5,750-square-foot home sits on a 5.52-acre estate. Lord Snowdon transformed the previously dilapidated property into a private creative retreat, hosting notable figures such as actor Peter Sellers, ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn, Bianca Jagger, and financier Sir Evelyn de Rothschild.

Blue Book Agency Director Theo James-Wright described the home as “not simply a private home but an extraordinary creative retreat.” Unique features include a redesigned kitchen, a balcony salvaged from Ascot Racecourse's Royal Box, a man-made lake, and a "time capsule of royal, cultural and family life" composed of newspaper clippings curated by Snowdon.

Princess Margaret passed away in February 2002 at age 71 due to a stroke after health issues in the 1990s. The couple was married for 16 years before separating in 1976.

The property’s rich history has even inspired an episode in season three of a popular Netflix series. The public sale of this estate marks a rare opportunity, as such homes with significant provenance and cultural importance seldom come to market.

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