5 bedroom detached house for sale

AN HISTORIC GRADE II LISTED MANOR HOUSE WITH ATTRACTIVE TRADITIONAL BARNS AND LYING ON THE EDGE OF THE VILLAGE WITH STUNNING VIEWS OVER ROLLING COUNTRYSIDE

There has been a manor house on this site since the Norman Conquest, when the Earl of Morton ‘held 3 hides of land’ in Staverton. Subsequent owners have included two more Earls and an earlier Princess of Wales. A direct, uninterrupted, list of ownership can be traced from pre Norman Conquest in 1066 when Saxon freeholders Saulf, Edric and Alwin held the freehold up to the present owners, who bought The Manor in 1994, thus becoming the 34rd owners of this historic site.

According to the History of the County of Northampton, Saulf’s freehold was rated at 40s yearly. Six hundred years later in 1625, ‘the manor of Sta’rton, including rents for one cottage ... a cock and hen, a needle and thread and divers peppercorns … with a suit of court etc may be worth £100’. Inflation continues.

The current smaller Manor probably dates from the mid 16th century, but still with the same beguiling, unspoilt views over Warwickshire out west to the Malvern and Shropshire Hills. With not a pylon in sight, the geographical positioning of the Manor remains truly outstanding.

The Manor enjoys a prominent position set back from Manor Road with gated entrance opening onto extensive gravelled drive enclosed behind stone walling and edged by mature herbaceous borders. Only on stepping over the threshold can one fully appreciate both the entertaining facilities on offer, its timeless charm and setting with commanding unspoilt views to the rear.

Under the custodianship of the current owners, the original cottage has been incorporated into The Manor to cater for modern family living but it could easily be converted back into a two bedroom cottage. Equally, the two traditional stone barns lying within the rear grounds offer potential, depending on one’s requirements.

Words and pictures cannot do full justice and a viewing is highly recommended to fully appreciate the attributes and setting of this idyllic country property in a rural but accessible location

THE ACCOMMODATION

A four panelled oak fronted door opens into central reception hall with principal reception rooms leading off and stairs rising to first floor and descending to the cellar.

The drawing room is a light and airy room with dimensions conducive for entertaining. Benefitting from a double aspect it enjoys views over the front drive and rear grounds with open countryside beyond. The stone fireplace has pride of place with York flagstone hearth and two recessed alcoves either side having glazed display shelving and cupboards. French doors open onto the rear terrace and garden.

Lying in between the drawing room and dining room is a cloakroom and study with fitted book shelving and enjoying a rolling view.

The dining room is the perfect size for entertaining, again enjoying a double aspect with large stone inglenook fireplace with display shelving and cupboard to one side. The kitchen/breakfast room adjoins and is ideally suited for family living with green four ovened electric aga providing the main cooking facilities supported by electric oven, grill and four ring LPG gas hob. Base and eye level units offer generous storage and in the corner is access to the boiler room cupboard. Lying off the kitchen is the oak framed garden room which both overlooks and has direct access into the rear garden. To the rear of the kitchen is a boot room with walk-in larder, utility room and second cloakroom.

The utility room gives way to a sitting room which originally was the main reception room to Manor Cottage with a small hall having access out onto the main drive.

CELLARS

Behind an innocent looking door, well trodden, ancient stone steps curve down to two large dry cellars. The first, with a concrete floor and heating radiator, is currently used as a potential gym/games room. This useful space leads on to a remarkable, centuries old, traditional wine cellar. An historic stone floor with four Victorian wine vaults offer perfect natural temperature and humidity conditions for storing fine wine.
This presents an enviable opportunity for the prospective buyer to transfer their own existing wine collection to this natural environment or to create their own wine collection in perfect conditions. Anyone appreciating fine wine will recognise and revel in this exciting prospect.

FIRST FLOOR

The main staircase gently rises to the first floor galleried landing with part utilised as a library with footed book shelving.

The main bedroom suite lies on the southern end of The Manor. The bedroom enjoys a double aspect with a run of fitted wardrobes. It is served by a dressing room which leads through to the generous bathroom suite with double sink vanity unit and enclosed wc.

Across the landing are two further bedrooms, a double and single, served by a family bathroom. A loft hatch allows access to the main roof void. A further dogleg staircase at the far end of The Manor and originally part of Manor Cottage, leads up to two further double bedrooms served by a family bathroom with separate recessed shower along with airing cupboard housing the hot water cylinder. Both bedrooms benefit from fitted wardrobes.

OUTSIDE

Wrought iron gates open onto extensive gravelled drive that lies in front of The Manor and original cottage with external boundaries defined by stone walling. A slightly raised herbaceous border edges the drive.

To the rear of Manor Cottage is a secondary drive offering generous parking and access to one of the two stone barns which is currently utilised as garaging/workshop and garden machinery store. Lying to the rear of the barn and partly screened by close boarded wooden fencing is a hot tub.
The rear garden and grounds are a pure delight and can be accessed from either side of The Manor with large York stone paved terrace offering outdoor seating and entertaining areas positioned to take advantage of the stunning views over open rolling countryside. The main lawn gently falls away to the west with mature lime and willow trees providing dappled shade. A timber summerhouse is strategically positioned to take advantage of the views and sunset and double gates provide a separate vehicular access into this part of the garden off an adjoining lane.

Within the rear garden is a very attractive stone barn dating back to 1568 and is ideally suited for housing parties and entertaining. The barn offers a potential for conversion to annexe living facilities subject to obtaining the required consents. The barn is currently split level with vaulted roof and exposed timbers.

GRASS FIELD

Wrought iron parkland railing defines the division between the rear garden and the grass field which extends to 1.48 acres and gently falls away to the west. The external boundaries are defined by wooden post and rail and wire fencing and in the field are two areas of woodland, one recently established comprising cherry, holm oak and crab apple and the other featuring mature silver birch trees.

LOCATION

Staverton is an attractive conservation village lying on the Northamptonshire/Warwickshire border and benefitting from local amenities including pub, golf course, two garages and a vets practice. Daventry a short drive away has a number of supermarkets including a Waitrose along with doctor’s surgery, leisure centre including cinema and on the A5 is the Heart of Shires shopping village. More extensive shopping and leisure facilities area available in Rugby, Northampton, Leamington Spa and Milton Keynes.

The area is well served for independent and state schools including Arnold Lodge, Bilton Grange and Winchester House preparatory schools, Kinglsey High School for Girls at Leamington Spa, Warwick School, Rugby, Stowe, Oundle and Uppingham along with Northampton High School for Girls.
Communications in the area are excellent with the M1, M6, M40, M45 and A14 all within a 15 mile radius. For the rail commuter there are trains from Rugby and Northampton to London Euston and Banbury to London Marylebone taking approximately 60 minutes. Air travel is available at London Luton airport, Birmingham and East Midlands airport, all comfortably within a 40 minute drive from the village.
Sporting activities include golf and leisure facilities at Staverton, Hellidon and Daventry, water sports and fishing at Draycote reservoir, motor racing at Silverstone and horseracing at Stratford upon Avon and Warwick Racecourse. The village is well located with direct access to a network of bridleways, footpaths and country lanes for the walking, riding and cycling enthusiast.

DIRECTIONS NN11 6JD

From junction 16 of the M1 motorway proceed in a westerly direction on the A45 following signs to Daventry and Weedon. Continue around Daventry on the bypass following the signs to Leamington and Staverton (A425).
On arriving on the outskirts of the village do not take the first turn into the village but continue to the garage and then turn right beside the Countryman Inn. Continue to the green then bear left into Manor Road. After a short distance the road bears to left and once round the bend The Manor will appear directly ahead.

PROPERTY INFORMATION

Services: Mains water, electricity and drainage are connected. Oil fired central heating to radiators with garden room having underfloor heating. Both traditional barns have power and light connected.

Broadband: Openreach superfast broadband available

Local Authority: West Northamptonshire Council.
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Outgoings: Council Tax band “H” £4,222.86 for the year 2023/2024

EPC Rating: Exempt

Right of Way: A public footpath diagonally crosses the grass field.

Tenure: Freehold