Historic Sussex hotel that inspired Cluedo boardgame goes on the market for ...

Historic Sussex hotel that inspired Cluedo boardgame goes on the market for ...
Historic Sussex hotel that inspired Cluedo boardgame goes on the market for ...

A historic home that inspired Cluedo and once hosted Hollywood icons including Cary Grant, Bette Davis and Errol Flynn has gone up for sale.

Nestled in the quintessentially English village of Rottingdean, Sussex lies a once exclusive hotel that regularly welcomed movie stars during the golden age of cinema.  

The first edition of the iconic board game was even named Murder at Tudor Close after the former hotel, before becoming a hit sensational selling millions of copies around the world.

The Grade-II building in Dean Court Road, Rottingdean became the inspiration for the murder mystery classic after a 1937 refurbishment introduced a billiards room, ball room, ladies bar and restaurant.

Nestled in the quintessentially English village of Rottingdean, Sussex lies a once exclusive hotel that regularly welcomed movie stars during the golden age of cinema and inspired the classic murder mystery board game Cluedo

Nestled in the quintessentially English village of Rottingdean, Sussex lies a once exclusive hotel that regularly welcomed movie stars during the golden age of cinema and inspired the classic murder mystery board game Cluedo

The private setting enjoys the grounds, church and mature trees which reveal the Rottingdean Mill in Beacon Hill Nature Reserve

The private setting enjoys the grounds, church and mature trees which reveal the Rottingdean Mill in Beacon Hill Nature Reserve

The Grade-II listed building, which was once an exclusive hotel used by Hollywood stars, has gone on the market for 'offers above £1million'. Pictured: The entrance to the famed property with a leaded shield of the Sussex Martlets

The Grade-II listed building, which was once an exclusive hotel used by Hollywood stars, has gone on the market for 'offers above £1million'. Pictured: The entrance to the famed property with a leaded shield of the Sussex Martlets

And it has now gone on the market for 'offers above £1m' with the current owners saying they have continued the tradition and hosted popular Cluedo themed parties over the years there. 

Originally built in the late 1920s in a 'Tudorbethan' style, the premises was converted from cottages to a hotel in the 1930s.

The hotel’s developer, Charles William Neville, once quipped the venue was more popular in Hollywood than in England. 

And a young British actress and singer Julie Andrews is rumoured to have kickstarted her singing career here as her parents worked at the hotel.

In two decades as the Tudor Close Hotel, it was frequented by stars including Cary Grant, Bette Davis, Errol Flynn and a young Julie Andrews. Above: The inner hallway remains as it was when the property was a popular hotel

In two decades as the Tudor Close Hotel, it was frequented by stars including Cary Grant, Bette Davis, Errol Flynn and a young Julie Andrews. Above: The inner hallway remains as it was when the property was a popular hotel

Inside, the home boasts traditional oak doors, exposed beam ceilings and stone fireplaces within its stunning reception room (above)

The two luxury bathrooms retain a certain 20th century charm, as sympathetic improvements have been made to acknowledge the house's architectural importance

The two luxury bathrooms retain a certain 20th century charm, as sympathetic improvements have been made to acknowledge the house's architectural importance

The spacious dining room, situated on the ground floor of the cottage, offers scope for plenty of entertaining parties

The spacious dining room, situated on the ground floor of the cottage, offers scope for plenty of entertaining parties

The gallery landing on the first floor makes the most of its L-shaped staircase and boasts historic features and high ceilings

The gallery landing on the first floor makes the most of its L-shaped staircase and boasts historic features and high ceilings

The wonderfully rustic kitchen is packed with high-spec appliances and is custom-made to offer subtle improvements

The wonderfully rustic kitchen is packed with high-spec appliances and is custom-made to offer subtle improvements

Other noteworthy features, include the hotel telephone booth in the entrance hall and a secret side passage leading from the kitchen to the bar (pictured)

Other noteworthy features, include the hotel telephone booth in the entrance hall and a secret side passage leading from the kitchen to the bar (pictured)

The origins of Cluedo

The board game Cluedo was first patented by Birmingham solicitor's clerk Anthony E Pratt back in 1944 and was originally called 'Murder!' and designed to provide entertainment in shelters during lengthy air raids.

But the game wasn't released until 1949 after it was picked up by Waddingtons who renamed it Cluedo - a play on the word 'clue' and 'ludo' which is Latin for 'I play'. 

Unlike the version that board game fans came to know and

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