The beautiful coastal town of Tenby in southwest Wales is home to some brightly coloured historic townhouses with a history connected to King Henry VII and if you have a healthy budget of £1.25 million and are looking to relocate to this tranquil harbour spot, you could be the proud owner of this extraordinary piece of history.
Tenby’s famous harbour townhouses rarely come on to the market and when they do they cause a bit of a stir with potential buyers.
This pastel blue, five storey, clifftop house, named ‘Belle Vue House’, is currently owned by the author of ‘Black Snow’, who was inspired by his unique property and surroundings.
Built in the late 1700’s, this Grade II listed merchant’s house still has many of its original features, with views from every window overlooking a picturesque garden, sweeping coastline and harbour.
The most compelling and intriguing part of this property has to be its secret tunnels which form part of Tenby’s underground medieval passages, leading to a boathouse believed to have been used in 1471 as an escape route by 14 year old Henry Tudor to flee to Brittany, along with his uncle, Jasper Tudor.
It was later used In 1485 for Henry’s return, a homecoming which ended with victory at the Battle of Bosworth where he defeated King Richard III and become King Henry VII.
The secret underground tunnel which is being sold as part of the property was the final part of Henry and Jasper’s tunnel escape before reaching the harbour. The property also boasts a blue plaque awarded by the Tenby Civic Society, inscribed with the words ‘It is said that Henry Tudor (later King Henry VII) escaped through a tunnel here in 1471 when he fled to France’.
The Tudors may never have come to power if it wasn’t for these tunnels and British history may have been a completely different story. Therefore, the Tudors may owe their place in history to these tunnels alone.
