Arthur Conan Doyle's house to be converted into special school

Undershaw in Surrey, built by Sherlock Holmes's creator to care for his wife, purchased by charitable trust
Undershaw as it was in 2010
Undershaw, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's house in Surrey, as it was in 2010. Photograph: Victorian Society

The riddle of what to do with the Victorian home of Sherlock Holmes's creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has at last been solved.

Undershaw in Surrey, where 13 stories about the famed detective were written, has been bought by a special school in nearby Hindhead. A near-10-year campaign to preserve the Grade II listed building since the closure of the hotel that last occupied it has come to an end with its purchase by a charitable trust.

David Forbes-Nixon, whose 12-year-old son goes to the Stepping Stones school, announced the purchase through the DFN Foundation he started, and said he hoped it would open the first phase as the new upper school in September next year.

In a filmed message, Forbes-Nixon spoke of the "really creative minds" entertained at Undershaw, Conan Doyle's home for a decade from 1897 and where he wrote The Hound of The Baskervilles. These included George Bernard Shaw, JM Barrie and Bram Stoker.

The historic building had "beautifully proportioned large rooms, perfect for classrooms", he said, adding that "we can have some fun leveraging off the Sherlock Holmes connection". He could visualise The Hound of The Baskervilles being played out on the lawn. There are 2.5 acres where there could be a swimming pool and therapy services.

The school's supporters say the south-facing house, specifically commissioned by Conan Doyle to cater for the medical needs of his wife, would, once restored, provide a "spacious, bright and cheerful" environment for the children to continue onto the next stages of their education and development.

John Gibson, a Conan Doyle scholar, won a legal challenge nearly two years ago to prevent the building being turned into eight apartments. Other opponents included the Victorian Society, Julian Barnes, author of Arthur & George, Ian Rankin, Stephen Fry, Benedict Cumberbatch and Mark Gatiss, co-creator of the BBC's Sherlock.