Ted Heath's former residence Arundells in Salisbury. Worth the ten quid entrance fee?

Tourists snap pictures incessantly as busy locals traipse through the horde in search of respite from Salisbury’s heaving summer season. Every summer visitors descend on this normally somnolent corner of Wiltshire lured by the history of the Cathedral, the charm of the cobbled Tudor pathways, and the mystery of Stonehenge.

Tucked away in the cathedral grounds stands Arundells, a vaguely non-descript manor that could belong to a local dame, duke, or retired city merchant. Unbeknown to most of brisk walkers and overwhelmed photographers, Arundells holds an important clue to the fascinating story of one of Britain’s most notorious postwar politicians.

Edward Heath, British Prime Minister from 1970-1974, bought Arundells in1985 and lived there until his death in 2005. Heath wrote in his will that he wanted the house preserved for as long as possible after his death to give people an opportunity to view the treasures that he collected through a life of diplomacy and antique collection.

The house has been plagued by problems ever since. Originally put into the hands of reluctant trustees, the house has struggled to make money. Intermittently notices appear in national newspapers that the house is about to be sold.

The acquisition of a new sponsor now means that the house will be open for the foreseeable future.

The public can only view the house via a £10 guided tour, which is pretty steep for a man who is half-remembered and quietly despised by huge swathes of the population.

The house itself undeniably beautiful. It’s the grand type of English manor that Downton Abbey-hooked Asians will forever associate with a true English life.

The treasures located inside are equally magnificent. From a vast collection of sailing memorabilia, to signed portraits and gifts from some of the world’s most notorious figures (Chairman Mao and Richard Nixon among many others), Heath’s collection provides both an overview of his life and the twentieth century. 

Heath was an avid sailor and he is the only serving Prime Minister to have won a major sporting event. Heath triumphed in Sailing’s unofficial world cup the Admiral’s Cup in 1971, and his house opens with a treasure trove of replicas and nautical gifts.

There is also a stunningly varied collection of art within Heath’s residence. Some (surprisingly) beautiful paintings from Winston Churchill provide the centerpiece, but there is also a Lowry painting, and a bust of Heath designed by Martin Jennings (who also created the John Betjeman statue in St Pancras station).

The contents rivals many local museums, but the main problem with visiting Arundells is the painstakingly detailed tour you have to take in order to gain admittance. Many people (certainly those who can get weak-kneed by curtain designs) will certainly enjoy that aspect of the tour, but it arguably distracts from the central draw of the house.  While hours (yes, plural) are spent on the intricacies of the house, it would have been nice to have heard more about Heath and his contribution to British politics.

Its unlikely that Arundells will attract more of an audience if it maintains its insistence on guided tours. The detail of the tour cannot be faulted, but the house could be better appreciated if people were allowed to freely roam through its encyclopedic collection of the twentieth century.

Heath's house would be a fantastic addition to Salisbury's well-trodden tourist trail if the mandatory tour were not in place.

Much better to spend your tenner on a replica cathedral.