Arundells, a house in Salisbury, Wiltshire, was the home of which former British Prime Minister?
Sir Edward Heath was a Conservative Prime Minister (1970-1974) during a time of industrial upheaval and economic decline, during which he led Britain into the European Community. Arundells, Heath's home in Salisbury from 1985 until his death in 2005, is open to the public as a museum.
Arundells dates back to the thirteenth century, when it was the home of Henry of Blunston, Archdeacon of Dorset. The house passed through a number of hands until it became the property of James Everard Arundel in 1752, after whom the house acquired its current name. During the 19th century, the house was used as a school, and during the Second World War, Arundells was used as a book and wool store by the Red Cross.
After the war, Arundells fell into disrepair until it was purchased by Mr and Mrs Robert Hawkings in 1964. In 1985, the former British Prime Minister, Sir Edward Heath, bought Arundells. It was the first time in his life that Heath had owned a house of his own. Following Heath's death in 2005, the estate was bequeathed to the Sir Edward Heath Charitable Foundation, with the express purpose of ensuring that the house and its contents could be opened to the public as a place of historic interest.
Arundells opened to the public in 2008. Within its rooms, the house displays many artworks, a piano, and a selection of yachting memorabilia. The latter belonged to Heath, who was a keen sailor.
