Inside Only Fools and Horses star John Challis’ former country house as it hits market for eye-watering price | The Sun

ONLY Fools and Horses star John Challis' former country house has gone on the market for a jaw-dropping price.

The actor, who played slippery car dealer Boycie in the classic sitcom, died in 2021 at the age of 79.



Wigmore Abbey, in Herefordshire, was bought by the late Only Fools and Horses actor in 1998.

Challis and his wife Carol then spent over two decades renovating the incredible country mansion before his death.

The spectacular Grade I listed property has now gone on the market for £1.5 million and it comes complete a host of impressive features. 

Challis' former home boasts seven bedrooms, a library, stables, paddocks, extensive outbuildings and more than five acres of land.

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The ground floor accommodation comprises a spacious reception hall with exposed stone work and fine oak panelling.

While the kitchen is fully fitted with integrated units including a traditional AGA cooker.

The drawing room also has its own fireplace, while the 14th Century wing offers "the exceptional refectory and cellarers room".

The Abbots Parlour is described as "a truly fascinating room", with extensive exposed beams, a large stone chimney with an open fireplace.

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The first floor includes three "superb bedrooms and two bathrooms", while the second floor has a further four bedrooms, two of which are en-suite.

Outside the immaculate landscaped gardens and grounds will let any prospective owner roam around 5.29 acres.

Also situated in the grounds are the ruins of a 12th century former Abbey, which is listed as an Ancient Monument.

The garden is also home to a charming Grade II summer house, with the surrounding countryside providing exceptional panoramic views including the nearby Mortimer Forest.

The home was a functioning Augustinian Abbey between 1179 and 1530, when it was razed during Henry VIII's wide scale destruction of Catholic monasteries.

Describing the property, Mark Wiggin Estate Agents said: "Wigmore Abbey is one of the finest and most fascinating properties, both historically and architecturally.

"In the words of J W Tonkin, a noted local Historian "there are still some remains of the original 12th Century buildings including an excellent example of a carving of the time, a complete shell of the 14th Century rebuilding, and the post reformation late 16th Century and early 17th Century adaptations to make the monastic buildings into a house of that period".

"The remaining Abbot's Lodge forms the main house as it is today.

"The history of the property unravels a tremendous display of original period and character features throughout including the Refectory, being one of only two timber rooted Undercrofts in the country."

John became a household name starring in the classic sitcom as cigar-smoking, second-hand car dealer Terrance Aubrey Boyce.

His antagonistic relationship with Del Boy and Rodney Trotter often saw him in the Nag’s Head swigging cognac.

And Boycie’s clashes with long-suffering wife Marlene left viewers in stitches.

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John also starred in spin-off The Green Green Grass, and ITV sitcom Benidorm.

He was previously married to stage manager Carol Robertson, and actresses Debbie Arnold and Sabina Franklyn.





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