29 Dec 2008
http://www.yourcanterbury.co.uk/kent-news/End-of-an-era-for-historic-house-newsinkent19171.aspx
End of an era for historic house
It’s one of the oldest houses still standing in Britain, and has provided the backdrop for events which changed the world.
Conquest House in Palace Street has long been woven into the history of Canterbury. The murder of Thomas Becket was planned behind the thick flint walls of the Norman Undercroft, the oldest part of the building.
And a passage leading off the room is believed to lead all the way to the Cathedral, a possible escape route the knights may have used following the killing of the “turbulent priest.”
Now this historic building is changing hands with antiques dealer Caroline Hills and her partner moving out to make way for new owners at the beginning of January.
For Ms Hills, who restored the building to its current glory over two painstaking years in the early 80s, the move will be an emotional one.
She said: “When I came here in 1983 the building was a complete wreck. It was a massive task but I decided to take it on.
“I owned a small building firm, but we’d only done cottages and things like that, nothing on this scale; so I did have some experience, but I could have done with a lot more.
“But Canterbury council conservation department were wonderful, especially a man called Craig Bowley who is still a great friend of mine. They provided all kinds of help and advice.
“I feel very privileged to have been part of it all really. I put an awful lot into this building, but I get a tremendous sense of pleasure from knowing what we’ve done here.”
As well as an antiques shop, Conquest House is a popular tourist attraction in its own right.
So popular has it become that Ms Hills had to ask tour guide to stop bringing visitors, and now sightseers can view the inside of the building by prior arrangement, with an entry price of £2.
She said: “The Americans in particular love it. The building has so much history surrounding it. They can’t get enough.”
Like many old buildings in the city, Conquest House also has its fair share of ghostly tales, and has been the subject of several paranormal investigations over the years.
Ms Hills said: “The Norman Croft is the room they all say is haunted. The story goes a woman was murdered here. When her husband returned from war and found her with her new lover he killed them both.
“She has been here, dagger drawn, for over four centuries, awaiting her revenge.”
Conquest House Antiques will close on January 3.
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