🐢 You’re not buying just a house — you’re adopting a 100-year-old tortoise. That’s the quirky twist behind a medieval English manor now for sale in Wiltshire. Hercules the tortoise, a century-old resident of the estate, cannot be relocated — it’s part of the deal. Why is she so special? Find out in this article👇
In a small English village with the simple name of Box, located in Wiltshire, an old manor has gone up for sale. The building shows off classic late medieval style but has been updated to meet modern living needs.
From the outside, the house looks like something out of a film based on a Jane Austen novel. But inside, it’s a cozy home with all the modern conveniences. The estate is called The Old Dairy. Back in the 16th century, one of the buildings on the property was used as a farm. Later, around the turn of the century, another part of it served as a local café.
One special detail about the sale is that the property is officially listed as a historical site, so the outside of the house cannot be changed. Even small changes must be approved by a special committee. In Europe, people are generally okay with this, as many old houses and even castles are protected by law. These buildings are considered culturally and historically important, so owning one means following certain rules.
Still, the house has had several owners over time. The current owner bought it in 2007 and is now looking for a new buyer. But what really stands out is that the sale includes a very unusual condition.
A tortoise has lived on the estate for nearly 100 years, and she cannot be moved under any circumstances. The long-time resident is a female tortoise named Hercules. Apparently, the first owner didn’t realize she was female and gave her that name, and by the time anyone noticed, everyone was used to calling her that.
Like the house, Hercules has seen many generations of people come and go. She was born the same year as the current monarch and has lived through the reigns of three past British kings and queens. According to the current owner, the elderly tortoise is calm and low-maintenance. She has her own fenced garden area and sleeps from early fall until mid-spring. When she’s awake, she enjoys leafy greens, cucumbers, and especially tomatoes.
The home—with its famous tortoise—has become a well-known sight in the quiet village. The rules around the property and the asking price haven’t scared off buyers. The owner is hoping to sell the house, along with its buildings, for £825,000, which is close to 83 million rubles.
Another plus is the location. The village is near major roads and not far from large cities. It’s also a beautiful and historic place, with roots going back to Roman times.
Would you buy it? Tell your opinion in the comments!
