Knightstone Manor

A family home of exceptional quality with a fascinating history. One of the country's best-preserved Grade I listed medieval manor houses, set within a peaceful valley surrounded by magical gardens by Colonel Reginald Cooper

Knightstone Manor was built by Thomas de Bittlesgate in 1380, and now stands as one of the best preserved medieval houses in Great Britain. The house is Grade I listed and has a central Great Hall with rooms off and two wings, creating a central courtyard to the rear.

The sense of arrival is superb, with a paved path running between two high yew hedges, leading to the porch at the front of the house and revealing the stunning façade. Unusually for a medieval manor house, Knightstone has not been added to, albeit windows and staircases have been altered through the years. Recently the property has undergone an extensive and sympathetic restoration, in consultation with English Heritage, and ensuring it is a comfortable, practical and welcoming family home.

Entry to the house is via an impressive doorway and porch, believed to be the work of William Sherman in 1567. The focal point of the ground floor is the Great Hall with the original medieval beams and a beautiful Jacobean plaster frieze. There is a magnificent fireplace and under floor heating, installed underneath the restored floor of 300 year old oak. From the Great Hall, the library is accessed, a snug and cosy room ideal for relaxing with a book. This could also serve well as a study and under floor heating has also been installed here.

The drawing room, positioned off the inner hall, and also with under floor heating, is ideal for both formal entertaining and relaxed family evenings. There is a stunning fireplace and views over the gardens. The kitchen forms the heart of the home and has also undergone extensive renovation to bring it in line with modern family living, and provides ample space and appliances for cooking and food preparation. This includes two Miele ovens and a large Brittania range with gas hob. There is a central breakfast bar for informal family dining, and under floor heating.

Off the kitchen is the breakfast room, perfect for more intimate dining and with an AGA and under floor heating, and beyond this is the formal dining room in which the stunning fireplace has been restored to its original size. A new pantry has been created with a magnificent painted ceiling mural, and with three additional built-in floor to ceiling fridge freezers and space for a small dining table.

The bedroom accommodation is split into three areas. Unusually for a house of this age, there are nine bathrooms in total, all of which are immaculate presented in a sympathetic yet contemporary style. The central part of the house is the family area and is accessed via the 16th century staircase rising from the inner hall. The principal bedroom is of particular note, with stunning views over the gardens and an extensive en suite bathroom with dressing area. There are a further two bedrooms on the first floor, both of which feature generous and beautifully designed built-in storage, and one of which has an en suite shower room, and there is an additional family bathroom. All three bedrooms on the first floor have under floor heating as do the bathrooms and dressing room. On the second floor is a bedroom with en suite bathroom and a sitting room/TV room, ideal for older children.

A secondary staircase on the other side of the Great Hall rises to the Solar Bedroom, overlooking the entrance and the Great Hall and with under floor heating. This would have been the bedroom of the Knight and his wife 650 years ago. Beyond this is the Cherub room, a single bedroom, opposite which is a bathroom and a separate shower room. Also on this floor is a large home office/chambers with intricately designed floor to ceiling two storey shelving. This is ideal for those who need to work from home and has a good sense of separation from the rest of the house.

Knightsto

Marketed by: Knight Frank, Country Department