The Old Manor

History and heritage

The property was given Grade II listed status in September 1951 under the name Manor Farmhouse. The listing report dates it mainly to the 17th century with some 18th century panelling and 19th century bay windows. Particular reference is made to a “4 light Perndicular stone window with moulded mullions, cusped arches and hood mould with carved heads to inner stops” which it dates to the 15th or 16th century. The property is of rubble stone construction with a hipped tiled roof and retains period features including beams and timbers and fireplaces. These have been successfully combined with modern amenities including underfloor heating throughout the ground floor, a modern Keston boiler, and contemporary sanitaryware in the bathrooms.

Ground Floor

The entrance door is at the side of the property and leads into a spacious hall which has oak flooring with underfloor heating, original exposed ceiling beams, a built-in shelved storage cupboard, and a modern cloakroom which has built-in cupboards spanning one wall for coats and shoes. A full turn oak staircase, with carved balustrades, leads to the galleried landing on the first floor. A door under the stairs opens to steps down to the cellar which has a window and is divided into two areas; one used for wine and the other for general storage. The porch has a door to the drive at the front, full height windows and a door to the patio in the rear garden.

Principal Reception Rooms

The oak flooring with underfloor heating continues into the two principal reception rooms. The drawing room has dual aspect bay windows, with shutters and views of the rear garden and the village church. The walls are panelled and there is a feature stone fireplace with an inset gas fire. The dual aspect dining room has a bay window to the front, exposed ceiling beams, and a feature open fireplace with a built-in cupboard and shelving in one chimney recess.

Other Reception Rooms

The garden room has tiled flooring with underfloor heating, and full height windows and a glazed roof giving plenty of natural light. It is currently used as an entertaining space with French doors connecting it to the paved terrace in the rear garden which has space for outside dining and entertaining, and space for a hot tub which may be available subject to separate negotiation. The snug also has a tiled floor and a window overlooking the rear garden and is currently used as a TV room.

Kitchen/Breakfast Room

The kitchen/breakfast room is dual aspect including a mullioned window which is mentioned particularly in the grade listing report. There is space for a seating area next to an inglenook fireplace which houses an electric cast iron stove, and space for a breakfast table to seat at least six. The kitchen is fitted in a comprehensive range of wooden wall, base and full height units which include a larder cupboard, pan drawers and a wine rack. The complementary work surfaces incorporate a double inset sink. Appliances include a dishwasher, and a Falcon range cooker with a gas hob and ovens and an extractor over, and there is space for an American style fridge/freezer. There is a built-in cupboard and a door to the front of the property.

Utility Room and Office

The utility room is accessed via the porch and has a door to the double garage, space for three appliances, wooden units and a stainless steel sink set under a window overlooking the drive.

Stairs from the utility room lead up to a vaulted room with a window to the side. This is currently used as an office for working from home but could be used as an additional bedroom if preferred. There is access to eaves storage from the landing at the top of the stairs.

First Floor

The galleried landing has space for seating, a double shelved cupboard and stairs to the second floor with further storage under.

The master bedroom has feature beams and timbers, and windows overlooking the rear garden. It measures just under 22 ft. with space for a seating area by the fireplace which has an inset gas fire. There is an en suite which has a double shower cubicle, washbasin and WC, and leads through to the dressing room which has a window to the rear, a range of built-in wardrobes, and a door to the landing.

There are three further double bedrooms on the first floor. One has a dressing room and an en suite shower room and the other two share a four piece bathroom which has a freestanding ball and claw footed bath, a double shower cubicle, a WC, a washbasin and a feature fireplace with display shelving in the chimney recesses.

Second Floor

The second floor has high vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and timbers. There is a shower room and three further bedrooms, one of which is currently used as a study/sitting room.
The boiler room houses the modern Keston boiler and has space for additional storage.

Gardens and Grounds

The property has a plot of approximately 1.02 acres with just over 0.56 acres of gardens which wrap around the house and an adjoining paddock which measures approximately 0.45 acres. The property is accessed via an in and out driveway off the St Marys Court cul-de-sac. The block paved drive provides parking and leads to the house and the attached double garage. The front garden is mainly lawned and is screened by high hedges.

An original cast iron double gate leads to the west facing walled rear garden which is very private, backing onto the grounds of Tingewick Hall to the rear and the Church to the side. There is an extensive paved terrace by the house and the rest of the garden is mainly lawned with mature trees, including a Willow tree, interspersed. A hedge arch leads to a separate area which has a box hedge parterre garden with a central path, covered by a Wisteria arch, which leads to a set of gates to the adjoining paddock which can also be accessed via a five bar (truncated)

Situation and Schooling

The village of Tingewick has a church, a village shop and post office, and The Royal Oak public house. It is located 2.5 miles from the market town of Buckingham where there is a range of shopping and leisure facilities, a library, and dental and GP surgeries.

Tingewick is in the catchment area for the Royal Latin (grammar) School in Buckingham and a variety of private schools in the area include Swanbourne, Thornton and Stowe.