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Sonning: French Horn hotel goes on market for £12m

Geograph/Steve Daniels French HornGeograph/Steve Daniels
The French Horn was described as "iconic" by its owner

A 19th Century hotel popular with royalty and celebrities has been put on the market for the first time in more than 50 years with a £12m asking price.

The French Horn at Sonning Eye, on the Oxfordshire-Berkshire border, was originally a coaching inn providing a rest point for people and their horses.

Now a hotel and restaurant, it has been run by the Emmanuel family since 1972.

The 21-room property's guests included Princess Diana and Hollywood A-listers George Clooney and Elizabeth Taylor.

Geograph/Andrew Smith French HornGeograph/Andrew Smith
The property backs on to the Thames and became a popular spot for local celebrities like George Clooney

It has also featured in ITV detective drama Midsomer Murders.

Michael Emmanuel, the current owner, said: "It is with a mixture of sadness and excitement that we have made the decision to put this iconic property on the market.

"It's not easy to say goodbye to a place that has been the heart of our family for so long, but we're eager to see the next chapter of its storied history unfold.

"We're grateful for the support and loyalty of our patrons and look forward to passing the torch to someone who will continue to honour the legacy of this beloved establishment."

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