Sir Edward Heath's home to be sold The foundation has decided "with regret" to put the house on the market if the Charity Commission grants approval for the sale. It closes to the public today. The house, which is surrounded by a two-acre walled garden, was valued at £3 million when Sir Edward died but would fetch much more in today's market. Lord Armstrong of Ilminster, chairman of the foundation, said all avenues had been explored but it was impossible to meet the annual £150,000 running costs without attracting at least 30,000 visitors per year. "It is a sad decision but it has really been forced upon us by the facts," he said. We have taken professional advice from consultants and we just could never expect to attract the sort of numbers we need. It is a lovely house but it doesn't lend itself terribly well to visitors because the rooms are quite small. The people who do come say it is a wonderful place, but it is simply not feasible for us to keep it open. The trustees approached the National Trust about running Arundells but Lord Armstrong said: "The National Trust's view was that it is a nice house but not that special." Proceeds from the sale of the house and its contents would be distributed to charitable causes mentioned in Sir Edward's will, including music scholarships to his old Oxford college, Balliol, and sailing training for disadvantaged young people. The decision to sell was met with dismay by the Friends of Arundells group, which staffs the house and garden with volunteers. Gerald Gibson, deputy chairman of the group, said: "We are shocked and saddened by the sudden announcement of the closure and proposed sale. Our biggest concern is the sale of the house's magnificent contents. The one thing visitors tell us is how coming to the house changes their perception of Sir Edward. Many people don't know that he only took up sailing at 50 yet won the Admiral's Cup. He was an accomplished concert pianist and one room houses his Steinway grand piano. In the dining room there is a list of the guests he had to dinner - Bob Geldof on one side and Tony Benn on the other. The rooms and their contents tell you so much about the man. If that collection is lost, so is Sir Edward's history. Mr Gibson said the group would continue to campaign for Arundells, making representations to the Charity Commission and exploring other sources of funding.