If you are looking to live in luxury, surrounded by spacious grounds, then you may need to invest in a large country house. Property editor Caroline Culot looks at what’s for sale that fits the bill
The country houses of England have evolved over the past 500 years. Before this time, larger houses were usually fortified, reflecting the position of their owners as feudal lords and it was in the Tudor times that we saw the building of the first of the unfortified great houses. Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries saw many former ecclesiastical properties granted to the king’s favourites, who then converted them into private country houses. Other terms used in the names of houses to describe their origin or importance include palace, castle, court, hall, mansion, park, house, manor and place.
A manor house
Little Massingham Manor; for sale for £3.5 million with Savills on 01603 229229
This impressive Arts & Crafts country house set in a splendid rural location with 68.5 acres was built in 1907 by an American Harley Street surgeon who decided to retire to the area. During the Second World War the manor was used by the RAF as an officers’ mess for the area. Many well known pilots stayed at the property. In 1962 it was sold to a religious congregation of sisters until it was sold in 2001. Inside the main house there is a magnificent main reception hall and four beautiful reception rooms, all with fine views over the surrounding gardens, grounds and parkland. The bedroom accommodation is divided over two floors and situated in the grounds there is a separate three bedroom cottage as well as an annexe, lodge and substantial stable block.
A hall
Islington Hall, Tilney All Saints; for sale for offers over £970,000 with William H Brown Select on 01603 221797
This is a magnificent Grade Two Listed property with the original house dating from 1619. The property was then enlarged in 1780 and has most recently undergone a significant programme of upgrading. The property stands in mature gardens and grounds which extend to around four acres. Inside, the reception rooms include an impressive ball room, drawing room, formal dining room, family kitchen/breakfast room as well as an orangery and former ice house. Two separate staircases provide access to one bedroom with adjacent bathroom, and two further bedrooms one of which is used as a cinema room (the equipment within this room can be bought by separate negotiation), and a shared bathroom.
A period rectory
The Old Rectory, West Acre; for sale for £1.2 million with Fine & Country on 01603 221888
This Edwardian former rectory constructed of mellow brick under a clay-tiled roof is surrounded by wooded parkland. Inside are three reception rooms, seven bedrooms and a separate three bedroom cottage next to the main house. Situated close to the village of West Acre, this property is situated in around four-and-a-half acres and there is planning permission granted for a new garage with accommodation over and a large ground floor extension to the main house.
