THE REMOTE farmhouse where down-on-their-luck actors played by Richard E Grant and Paul McGann went for a holiday in the 1987 cult classic Withnail and I is on the market for over €156,500 (£145,000).
The sale of Sleddale Hall has attracted a media frenzy in the UK, with celebs like Kate Moss being mentioned as possible buyers. Sleddale, near Shap in Cumbria – or Crow Cragg in the film – was where the two Camden Town-based actors, trying not to look like London-types, were pursued first by “Jake the poacher” and then by Grant’s “uncle Monty” who had designs on McGann.
The two actors fooled the local landlord, who had military pretensions, into believing they had been in the Territorial Army. “Don’t suppose you’ve engaged?” asked the landlord. “Ireland,” said Grant. “Ooh, a crack at the mick,” replied the landlord.
The property is being sold by the water company United Utilities (UU) who said it had been vacant for many years.
Accessed via a dirt track and situated in one of the quietest parts of the Lake District, it is almost two miles from the nearest public road and a mile from the nearest inhabited house. The 18th century Sleddale Hall, whose roof was recently repaired, contains many original features and was built from stone and Lake District slate.
But is it really derelict? “Oh yes, definitely,” says agent Savills press office.
Savills will auction Sleddale Hall at the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge, London on February 16th.
