Grade II Dorset townhouse Church Hatch is going on the market for £1.5million

An impressive townhouse that once inspired author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to write one of his favourite Sherlock Holmes’ stories has gone on the market for £1.5million.

Church Hatch, an outstanding Grade II listed property in Christchurch, Dorset, is believed to be where the creative spark for ‘Adventure of the Speckled Band’ came from when Conan Doyle stayed there.

The Speckled Band was first published in The Strand Magazine in February 1892 and was the eighth of the 12 short stories about the world’s most famous detective in the first collection, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

In the tale Holmes and Watson are hired by Helen Stoner, a woman worried her stepfather is trying to kill her after he contrives to move her to the bedroom where her sister had died two years earlier.

Church Hatch, an outstanding Grade II listed property in Christchurch, Dorset, is believed to be where the creative spark for ‘Adventure of the Speckled Band’ came from when Conan Doyle stayed there

In the tale Holmes and Watson are hired by Helen Stoner, a woman worried her stepfather is trying to kill her after he contrives to move her to the bedroom where her sister had died two years earlier

Records have been lost over the years and no one knows exactly when Conan Doyle stayed at the property, but it is likely to be some time around 1890-92

The main house is set over three floors. It has seven bedrooms and three grand reception rooms with open fireplaces, oak floors, sash windows and working wooden shutters

It is one of four from the 56 Holmes short stories that can be classified as a ‘locked room’ mystery and Conan Doyle chose it as his overall favourite from the canon when asked by The Strand.

Records have been lost over the years and no one knows exactly when Conan Doyle stayed at the property, but it is likely to be some time around 1890-92.

Although the author is renowned for writing Sherlock Holmes stories, he was not as besotted with his detective as the public was and wanted to focus his attention on historical novels.

He wrote The White Company, one of his personal favourites of his novels, in 1891. The story is based around the history of Christchurch Castle, the ruins of which can be seen from this property.

The book is set in 1336 and Twynham Castle is the home of the hero, Sir Nigel Loring of Christchurch, who is the castle’s constable and leader of the band of adventurers called the White Company.

The author is also buried at a churchyard in Minstead, New Forest, just 17 miles away.

An earlier property is believed to have been on this site as far back as the 16th Century, but this house dates back to 1741.

The main house is set over three floors. It has seven bedrooms and three grand reception rooms with open fireplaces, oak floors, sash windows and working wooden shutters.

It has many of its original Georgian features, with a grand reception hall and impressive 21ft drawing room with marble mantelpiece and large circular bay window overlooking the walled grounds.

The home has many of its original Georgian features, with a grand reception hall and impressive 21ft drawing room with marble mantelpiece and large circular bay window overlooking the walled grounds

Conan Doyle wrote The White Company, one of his personal favourites of his novels, in 1891. The story is based around the history of Christchurch Castle, the ruins of which can be seen from this property

The two properties sit between the Christchurch Priory and the historical castle ruins and were owned by the Priory House Trust for 70 years before it was sold onto private market

Laura Lewis, from estate agents Denisons which is handling the sale, said: ‘Lots of people in Christchurch know the legend about Arthur Conan Doyle staying there and it inspiring his story The Speckled Band’

A Grade II listed Mews House called Castle View is also included in the sale. It is hidden behind the walled courtyard and has two double bedrooms, a bathroom, a lounge and a kitchen/breakfast room.

The two properties sit between the Christchurch Priory and the historical castle ruins and were owned by the Priory House Trust for 70 years before it was sold onto private market.

Laura Lewis, from estate agents Denisons which is handling the sale, said: ‘Lots of people in Christchurch know the legend about Arthur Conan Doyle staying there and it inspiring his story The Speckled Band.

‘Whenever I show people around people walking past always stop to ask about it, it’s well known local folklore. Unfortunately a lot of the history has been lost over the years.

‘The two houses were owned by the church until it was bought by the current owner’s family. It’s a landmark property within Christchurch and totally unique. You can see the castle ruins from the garden and some of the rooms and you can also see the Priory church.

‘It has beautiful grounds and will make a lovely big family home with an interesting folk legend to it.’

Grade II Dorset townhouse Church Hatch is going on the market for £1.5million