Preserving our heritage

Increasingly many historic houses are being divided into apartments, saving them from falling into disrepair, a sad fate that has befallen many large country houses. Conversions benefit all parties; they ensure that our historic buildings can be enjoyed and appreciated by generations to come, while meaning that the country house lifestyle can be enjoyed without the maintenance costs associated with a owning a large house.

Conversions attract a diverse range of people, as a recent survey from top end estate agent Knight Frank discovered.

The survey of buyers showed that:
50 % were older couples
28% were single people
17% were young couples
5% were families.
Most buyers were British. Only 10% of buyers came from other countries, though a further 14% were expatriates looking for a base back in Britain.

Beautiful architecture appeals to people of all ages and background, with the security and community feel of such conversions being especially attractive to retired couples, especially those looking for second homes in the UK who want to know they can safely leave their property while they go abroad or to their main residence.

The survey showed that buyers’ priorities when looking for such properties were as follows:

1. The opportunity to live in a country mansion
2. Security
3. Private gardens
4. Parking
5. Views
6. Ease of maintenance

Knight Frank currently has several apartments in country houses on the market. These include 1 Netherswell Manor, Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire; 1 West Tower, Charlton Park House, Malmesbury, Wiltshire; and North Wing, Burley on the Hill, Rutland.

1 Netherswell Manor, is the largest portion of Netherswell Manor, a Cotswold manor house that was split into four in 1989. The property is characterised by its intriguing and romantic architecture, abundant with stone mullions windows, bay and oriel windows. The interior is exceptional and the views across the Bourton Vale are breath taking. It has six bedrooms, four of which are en suite and a family bathroom. This property would suit anyone keen to live in the archetypal Cotswold manor house, at a fraction of the cost; it is for sale at a guide price of £1.75 million.

1 The West Tower, is one of the principal apartments in a wing of a Grade I listed Jacobean country house. In the style of the Elizabeth prodigy houses, this house was built as a grand statement of magnificence for the Earl or Suffolk and Berkshire in the early seventeenth century and is dominated by its Jacobean style towers and large windows. The property has undergone extensive renovation recently and has three bedrooms, a bathroom and a shower room. It is on the market at a guide price of £498,500.

The last property, North Wing in Burley on the Hill presents a rare opportunity to own a substantial portion of one of the finest and best preserved Palladian mansions in England. Occupying a prime position in the centre of the mansion this conversion offers four bedrooms, two of which have en suite shower rooms and a family bathroom. This apartment is special as it comes with the privilege of being able to use the original reception rooms; the imposing entrance hall and awe-inspiring double height ballroom. This house would be ideal for those who like to entertain in serious style. It is currently on the market at a guide price of £950,000.

These properties show that the country house idyll is not as unattainable as many of us may think. Indeed, they can offer a lifestyle that is highly attractive to a certain sort of buyer; the thrill of living in a stately home on a more manageable scale.