Byfleet Manor, Maggie Smith's Downton Abbey home, sells for £6-million

As the final series of Downtown Abbey kicks off, one of the hit show's grandest and most recognisable homes has been sold for £6m.

Kristy Gray|Lizzie Rivera16 February 2016

Built in 1686, Byfleet Manor in Surrey has been a familiar backdrop to the Downton action for five years. Fans of the show will recognise it as Dower House, home to Lady Violet Crawley, the dowager played by Dame Maggie Smith.

The 17th-century house was put on the market in May for £3.95 million, alongside four additional lots in the grounds - three more residential properties and a development plot. And now, the entire estate has been snapped up by a British buyer after attracting interest from around the globe.

Simon Ashwell, head of Savills Weybridge, said: "Houses like this are rare to the market so it wasn't surprising that Byfleet Manor went under offer within 12 weeks of coming to the market."

The home was sold by local business woman Julie Hatton, who bought it some 10 years ago for about £1 million.

SEE INSIDE DOWNTON ABBEY'S HISTORIC HOME:

Image gallery: Lady Violet's Downton Abbey mansion

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