In 1816, Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote to an acquaintance: “I am now on the point of taking a lease on a house among these woody hills, these sweet green fields and this delightful river.” The house Shelley referred to was Albion House in Marlow and part of it, Grade II-listed Shelley Lodge, has just been put up for sale.

Having a literary connection doesn’t tangibly add to a property’s value. Buyers won’t pay more for Shelley Lodge simply because it was where Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein. But an interesting history does give a property a stronger marketing angle: buyers who are attracted to period properties are looking for character and are likely to find a connection with a literary figure appealing.

Unless it has a Blue Plaque, the proof that a house once belonged to someone famous lies in the historical deeds as they contain the names of all the previous owners. Local historical sources are often helpful in corroborating the connection. A letter like the one Shelley wrote about Albion House is always a bonus.