King Henry VIII Trust fails in bid for Warwick Castle Park

The identity of the £3 million plot’s buyers has not been revealed. But it is believed that a bid from the King Henry VIII Trust to secure the land for the town has failed.

The Trust, which provides grants for the Warwick community, is believed to have agreed a deal for the purchase. Trustees hoped to secure grants to enable them to restore all or part of it, but it is understood they were outbid by a rival buyer.

Peter Vaughan of John Shepherd & Vaughan estate agents, Stratford, who are handling the sale said: “We have agreed a sale but I can’t disclose who’s purchasing it or the cost.

“We are looking to exchange contracts by the end of the month.”

The Henry VIII trustees were unavailable for comment.

Since Castle Park was put up for sale by owner Gladedale Estates, townspeople have been anxiously waiting to see who would buy the land and what their intentions would be for it.

The land to the south of the town centre has long been a source of speculation, with the Grade I listed plot, comprising almost 700 acres, being left in limbo for nearly 30 years.

The park is set between the Banbury Road and Stratford Road and to the south of Warwick Castle, and dates back to the 11th century.

It is split by the River Avon and comprises arable land, woodland and forestry. The scope for development is at best limited due to its listed status, there is concern its historical features could further deteriorate.

Last month the chairman of the Warwick Castle Park Trust John Turner said that they needed a white knight to come and restore the park to its former glory and that residents would be hoping a mystery buyer would ride to the rescue.