7 bedroom house

An exceptional village Manor House


Description

Manor House is an exceptional Grade II listed thatched property, made of local Hornton stone. It has a rich history, having once been owned by Frank Lascelles the Pageant Master of the Empire. During his ownership from 1907, the original seventeenth century dwellings were extended and redesigned incorporating a wealth of Arts and Crafts features. The differing styles of these eras blend beautifully and the property has been further sympathetically updated and enhanced over recent years and is now a warm and inviting family home - ideal for modern living and entertaining. This has been thoughtfully achieved and has ensured that there has been no loss of the character and charm that the property exudes.

The property is approached through a distinctive stone archway, which leads to the large gravel drive with parking for several vehicles. The house has a wealth of period features including open fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, exposed timbers, leaded light windows, flagstone and wooden floors, stained glass windows, window seats, exposed stone walling, bay windows, deep window boards and panelled internal doors.

Positioned off the entrance hallway is the open plan kitchen/breakfast room, with central island, french doors to the garden and a comfortable seating area in front of an inglenook fireplace with wood burning stove.

This leads through to the magnificent Great Hall, which features a vaulted ceiling with exposed timberwork, and a Minstrels Gallery with a delightful oriel window featuring stained glass and a window seat, giving a lovely vantage point over the Great Hall and gardens to the side. Its impressive inglenook fireplace is thought to have been the inspiration for Ivor Novello’s song ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’ which was written whilst staying as a guest of Lascelles, who welcomed many important people of the day to the house. This room makes an excellent banqueting hall and the large dry wine cellar situated under the study/snug ensures wine supplies can be kept well stocked. Adjacent to the study is the cinema room.

The spacious reception spaces are complimented by seven large bedrooms, five of which are en suite, and are approached by separate staircases in the North and South wings.

The Studio is a double height annexe with its own kitchen, wet room and a vast open plan living/ sleeping space, with mezzanine level. It has its own separate entrance and French windows leading out onto the pool terrace. This was once an artist’s studio, and being integral to the house, yet separate, offers a very versatile space, for those looking to work from home, for accommodation for parents, staff or as an additional income stream.

The principal bedroom suite in the main house is impressive with vaulted ceiling, dressing room and mezzanine bath/shower room, with a lovely aspect over the gardens to the rear. There is a central landing/library and beyond a delightful bedroom with bay window, a family bathroom and bedroom three. At the other end of the house approached via a separate staircase are four further bedrooms suites, all with newly fitted, contemporary bath / shower rooms. From the secondary landing, stairs rise to the tower room, which offers scope for alteration to additional unique accommodation (subject to the relevant consents).

GARDEN AND GROUNDS
The landscaped gardens are equally special totalling just under an acre, and laid out in a series of rooms, each with their own character and feel and divided by Box and Yew hedging. Double doors from the Great Hall lead out to a loggia, perfect for al fresco dining. There is a large terrace with ornamental pond to the south, and another large terrace facing west encloses the outdoor heated swimming pool and pool bar. There is a wide variety of mature planting and trees and lawns with mature herbaceous borders.

This is a fantastically spacious house, steeped in history, offered in good order throughout, perfect for those with a large family, looking to entertain and who enjoy lovely gardens. It is village living, yet remarkably private - very much the front door in the village and the back door in the country.

Location

Manor House is situated in the heart of the much sort after North Oxfordshire village of Sibford Gower, which along with its sister village of of Sibford Ferris, sit either side of the River Sib. The Sibfords are surrounded by rolling countryside, yet are extremely well placed close to the market towns of Chipping Norton and Banbury.

Communication is excellent with frequent intercity trains from Banbury to London/Marylebone (about 57 minutes) and M40 (J11) at Banbury for the south or (J12) at Gaydon for the north.

There is a primary school, village church, village hall and an award winning public house in Sibford Gower and a post office/general store and doctors surgery in Sibford Ferris. Additional amenities can be found at Banbury, Shipston on Stour, Chipping Norton, Moreton in Marsh, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon and Cheltenham.

Local independent schools include:- preparatory at Kitebrook (Chipping Norton), The Croft (Stratford-upon-Avon), Sibford School, St John’s Priory (Banbury), Carrdus (Overthorpe), Winchester House (Brackley); senior independent at Sibford School, Tudor Hall Girls (Bloxham), Bloxham School, King’s High (Warwick) and the property is also in the catchment for the Stratford-upon-Avon Grammar Schools.

Sporting and cultural activities in the area include Soho Farmhouse private members club at Great Tew; golf at Tadmarton Heath, Rye Hill and Chipping Norton; horse racing at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Cheltenham; motor-racing at Silverstone; RSC theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon; cinema and indoor sports centres in Banbury.

Square Footage: 6,957 sq ft




Acreage: 0.9 Acres

Directions

From Banbury take the A4035 west towards Shipston-on-Stour. Proceed for about 6 miles passing through the villages of Broughton, Upper Tadmarton and Swalcliffe. Proceed past three left turns to Sibford Ferris and Burdrop, continue up a slight hill and take the next left signposted Sibford Gower. Follow this road into the village and just after the crossroads, Manor House can be found on the right hand side, identified by its stone archway.

Marketed by: Savills, Banbury