Arundells, 59 Cathedral Close, Salisbury

Arundells was a Medieval Canonry in the thirteenth century and probably first used by Henry of Blunston, Archdeacon of Dorset, who died in 1316. From the mid-1550s the house was leased by the Dean and Chapter to lay tenants. Much of the current house's appearance is due to John Wyndham who lived there between 1718 and 1750. After a period of decay and neglect when demolition was considered, Arundells was renovated in the 1960s, and refurbished by Sir Edward Heath when he came to live here in 1985. Sir Edward was able to purchase the freehold of the property in 1992 which is now owned and run by the charity set up in his name, the Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation. Over many years and six distinct periods of architecture, Arundells has developed into one of the finest houses inside the Cathedral Close.

The name derives from James Everard Arundel, son of the 6th Lord Arundel of Wardour who married Wyndham's daughter Ann, and was given Arundells as a wedding present. It briefly housed the Godolphin School and also a boys' boarding school up to 1844.

Sir Edward came to live here in 1985, and his collections of musical and sailing memorabilia, Oriental and European ceramics, paintings (including Wyllie, Singer Sargent, Piper, Churchill, Sickert, Augustus and Gwen John, John Nash, Lowry and many more), original political cartoons, Chinese and Japanese artworks, bronzes and photographs are all on display within.

The house is surrounded by a beautiful two-acre walled garden stretching down to the confluence of the rivers Avon and Nadder.