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Arundells, Wiltshire

Arundells is a beautiful house in the Cathedral Close in Salisbury, Wiltshire. It was the home of Edward Heath, prime minister 1970 - 74, who moved to Salisbury in 1985. Most of the house dates to the early eighteenth century reign of Queen Anne. The oldest parts are thought to have been built around 1280.

Since Heath's death in 2005 Arundells has been maintained as a museum to the former prime minister. In a sense the house was something of a museum even when Edward Heath lived there. Heath never married, and this was not a family home. Instead it was the place where a man looked back on a career to which he had dedicated his life. Writing while Heath was still alive, his biographer said of Arundells: "To some the house is a folie de grandeur, more a museum than a home. It is indeed full of sailing trophies, pictures... gifts and signed photographs of world leaders a sort of shrine to Heath's achievements. There are even monogrammed towels and matches. It was a bachelor's love poem to himself." (Edward Heath by John Cambell P744)

Since 2008 the house, and its two acre garden, have been open to the public. Heath famously never got round to writing his memoirs, hoping that notable times in his life were not yet over. In a sense Arundells itself is his memoir.

Incidentally, for those interested in parliamentary history, Salisbury's Cathedral Close also has Mompesson House, home of Charles Mompesson, an eighteenth century MP.

Opening times: For 2010: 3rd April - 27th October, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 12.30pm - 5.30pm, with last tour at 4pm. All normal entry to the house is by tour. There are non tour days 4th -5th April, 30th - 31st May, 29th -30th August.

Pre booking is strongly advised, using contact details below. No booking required for access to garden only.

Address: Arundells, 59 Cathedral Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2EN

Directions: Arundells is in the centre of Salisbury, close to Salisbury Cathedral in the Cathedral Close, next door to the Rifles Museum. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on Arundells.

Access: Ramp access is available for wheelchair users. Please request when booking.

Contact:

web site: http://www.arundells.org/

telephone: 01722 326546 Tuesday to Friday 11am - 3pm.