(EMAILWIRE.COM, January 30, 2009 ) Penrith, Cumbria - Here is your chance to snap up a slice of true film history - the remote Cumbrian cottage to which Richard E Grant and his sidekick escaped to in the cult 1986 film Withnail and I will be going under the hammer next month…

Based on writer and director Bruce Robinson’s life in London in the late 1960’s, Withnail and I attracted something of a cult following and made its lead, Richard E Grant, into a star.

Most of the film’s action, which follows the drunken antics of two struggling young actors, takes place in a grotty Georgian flat in Camden. But, some scenes were also filmed in Cumbria, at ‘Uncle Monty’s’ lonely cottage near Penrith, where the two escape for some respite from the big smoke.

Once there, the pair fall foul of the locals and struggle to adapt to their new way of life. “We’ve gone on holiday by mistake,” moans Withnail.

And it is this remote Cumbrian farmhouse that is now on the market through estate agents Savills for £145,000.

Built in the 18th Century from stone and Lake District slate, the cottage, known as Sleddale Hall, lies near the village of Shap, south of Penrith and has remained largely untouched since it featured in the film, save for enthusiastic graffiti from Withnail fans.

It was bought by Manchester Corporation in the 1920’s as part of the land required to meet Manchester’s growing need for drinking water. Manchester Corporation eventually became part of North West Water and then United Utilities, which is now selling the house.

The property is more than two miles from the nearest public road and currently only accessible by a dirt track close to the Wet Sleddale Reservoir.

You’ll need planning permission to turn it back into a family home, but if you get it (and you like total peace and quiet), it could be a shrewd investment. Time will tell if this property, which has played such a part in an iconic piece of film history will go to a longtime fan of the film rather than a buyer looking purely for a solid investment opportunity.

Paul Mooney, Director of Savills, said, “Withnail is an iconic film and there may be a few eccentrics out there who would be interested in owning a piece of film history."

“Sleddale Hall will certainly garner a bit more public interest than a house of this type normally would.

“Whilst the extra interest will not necessarily result in an increased sale price, the property is in a beautiful part of the world,” added Mr Mooney.

It is due to go under the hammer at the Berkeley Hotel in London on the 16th February.

For more information on UK property and the market in general, please visit http://www.themovechannel.co.uk/

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

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