By Fatma Younis
The Grade II-listed townhouse in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, where Mary Shelley completed her novel Frankenstein, is on the market for offers over £800,000.
Literary significance
Mary and Percy Bysshe Shelley moved into Albion House in March 1817, shortly after marrying. Mary, then 19, had begun the novel in Switzerland in 1816 and finished it while living there. The house also served as a creative retreat for Percy, who worked on poetry. Their household included Claire Clairmont, children, and servants. Mary gave birth to daughter Clara in September 1817. Despite picturesque surroundings, Mary found the property cold and damp, and the couple faced financial difficulties. They left for Italy in March 1818, months after Frankenstein's anonymous publication on 1 January 1818.
Property description
The original building was later divided into four homes, including the three-storey Shelley Cottage now for sale. Dating partly to the 18th century, it retains exposed wooden beams, fireplaces, and a distinctive white exterior. The property offers approximately 1,177 sq ft with three bedrooms, a modern kitchen, and an enclosed courtyard garden. A plaque outside commemorates the Shelleys' residence from 1817 to 1818.
Interior features
Behind the historic facade, the sitting room features white armchairs, a sofa, wooden flooring, and a fireplace. The hallway has herringbone flooring, rustic doors, and a wine rack. The kitchen includes grey cabinetry, a range cooker, dining table, and a glazed roof. One bedroom has an ornate cast-iron fireplace, shuttered windows, built-in bookshelves, and a tiger-patterned rug. Another bedroom sits under the sloping roof with white-painted beams. The bathroom has a fitted bathtub, mosaic tiles, and a sash window. A timber outbuilding provides storage.
Sale details
The chain-free home on West Street has had its asking price reduced and is now available for offers over £800,000. The estate agent, Bonners & Babingtons, notes the site may have originally held a late 16th-century house before an 18th-century rebuild. The town centre and River Thames are nearby.
