A grand London house that was once home to the founding father of the BBC is for sale for £5million.

The Grade II listed property in Westminster, built around 1722, was once a public house and still carries the name of Salutation House today.

In 1995, the property was awarded a blue plaque by English Heritage to commemorate Lord Reith, the first director general of the BBC.

This grand London property on the corner of Westminster’s Barton Street and Cowley Street  is for sale for £5million via Hamptons estate agents

In 1995, the property was awarded a blue plaque by English Heritage to commemorate Lord Reith, the first director general of the BBC 

Lord Reith lived at the beautiful Georgian property on Barton Street between 1924 and 1930, a time when the BBC was only broadcasting radio.

His name is associated with the principles of broadcasting known as ‘Reithianism’, which include considering all viewpoints and public service.

The BBC’s Reith Lectures were created in his honour. These are a series of annual BBC radio lectures given by leading figures of the day and are broadcast on Radio 4 and the World Service.

The drawing room boasts high ceilings and  three large sash windows covered in drapes

Lord Reith lived at the beautiful Georgian property on Barton Street between 1924 and 1930, a time when the BBC was only broadcasting radio

The large drawing rooms includes a grand fireplace with plenty of pictures hung on the walls

The period property for sale with Hamptons extends across five floors, covering more than 4,000 square feet.

On the ground floor, there is a dual aspect wood panelled dining room with a fireplace.

The room has space for a grand piano alongside a large table, providing ample facilities to entertain guests.

On the ground floor, there is a large dual aspect wood panelled dining room with a fireplace

The separate kitchen includes a three door Aga oven  and a large kitchen table for entertaining 

The house extends across five floors, covering more than 4,000 square feet – and includes this wine cellar

On this level, there is also a separate kitchen and drawing room that boasts three large sash windows covered in drapes.

Six double bedrooms are spread across the property, including on the lower ground floor.

The study includes large sash windows and built in bookcases with plenty of storage

The main bedroom is on the second floor and features an ensuite bathroom, where the top floor has two bedrooms as well as a small additional kitchen and a living room.

This top floor has a terrace with far-reaching views of London’s rooftops that include Parliaments’ Victoria Tower and Westminster Abbey.

The lower ground floor has its own entrance, making it a self-contained flat with a double-bedroom, bathroom and living area.

The property has six bedrooms, including this large room with a decorative four-poster bed

The top floor terrace has a space for al fresco dining during the warmer summer months

The far-reaching view from the top floor terrace includes Parliaments’ Victoria Tower and Westminster Abbey

The house has good access to public transport, with Westminster and St James’s Park London Underground stations both within 0.3 miles.

And there are also schools close at hand with Westminster School and Westminster Abbey Choir School both 0.1 miles away.

Grant Bates, of Hamptons – the estate agent handling the sale – explained: ‘The house lies on the corner of Barton Street and Cowley Street in one of the most sought after areas of central Westminster.

‘This small and exclusive enclave of Westminster offers a surprisingly tranquil setting and is only moments away from the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and St. James’s Park with its 43 hectares of wide open spaces.’