A truly historic Grade II* house situated in stunning formal gardens set in a highly desirable village setting.
Provost's House is approached off a quiet village lane with a roadside wall, through stone pillared entrance gates and onto a sweeping gravelled drive lined with mature trees and bushes. The drive leads to a large parking area in front of the imposing façade of Provost's House.
The house stands majestically in front of you with the cottage to the left hand side, and formal gardens to the right hand side. It is in a village setting, but completely private with only the tower of St Peter's Church in view with a historic connection between the house the church.
Full of character and charm, this is a house that has evolved over the ages to form an eclectic mix of accommodation ranging from the 1300's through the latest additions in 1906. The front of the house is a medley of medieval and late Tudor styles primarily in red sandstone, with the later additions in red brick. To the right hand side, a timber framed gable contrasts the medieval style battlement detail of the original house.
The back of the house is a completely different style in the form of an 18th century,red brick classic elegant Georgian façade, however the use of battlements creates harmony between the two eras.
Situated in the original medieval part of the house, double solid oak front doors with gargoyles on either side lead through a 14th century porch into the entrance hall with a beautiful stone flagged floor. This contains the Screens Passage, rare in a private house, a row of three archways, two of which have been painted with murals by local artists depicting how they might have looked in 1312.
The Screens Passage draws you into the Great Hall, with the imposing 17th century wooden staircase leading to the first floor. Straight in front and up a short flight of steps is a later addition to the house, a classic Georgian drawing room looking out to the gardens through large bay windows. With original wooden floor boards and stunning coving this is the perfect room for entertaining.
The drawing room leads through double vaulted doors into the dining room, again a Georgian extension to the original house, with an open fire place, simplified classic coving and bay windows to the gardens. The dining room leads into the fabulous, recently modernised and installed family kitchen. This is a well-planned large kitchen/breakfast room with fitted shaker style units, a Rangemaster stove, built in dishwasher, American style fridge, and exposed beams to the ceilings creating a modern kitchen, that also retains much of its original character. There is a large dining area in the kitchen ideally suited to family dining and less formal entertaining.
The kitchen leads to the family sitting room. This room is full of original features and character, with exposed beamed ceilings, a beautiful inglenook fireplace, wooden floor boards and built in cupboards and a trap door to the cellars. The sitting room then leads back through the Screens Passage into the entrance hall by the front door where there is a cloakroom.
From the Great Hall there are steps that lead up into the library through a wide doorway. The floor level rises as this is a 17th Century addition over the cellars. This room is of impressive appearance with high ceilings and triple aspect views to the gardens through stunning feature windows of ornate stone mullions and stained glass detail. There is an open fire place and built in bookshelves.
The majestic stairs rise from the hall leading round to a lovely open and light landing. From the landing there are two double bedrooms of excellent proportions, one with an ensuite bathroom and the other an ensuite shower room, and two further large double bedrooms which share a large Jack and Jill bathroom. Four steps lead down to the fifth double bedroom with a range of fitted wardrobes.
There is a lovely large billiard room with beautiful exposed beamed ceilings, leading to a sauna. From the billiard room there is access to a further bathroom and a most unusual feature, a private chapel. With a stunning arched window and arched door this is a remarkable feature of the house.
The second floor has a large galleried landing with a roof light creating a lovely open space leading to two double bedrooms, one of which has an ensuite bathroom.
There are two cellars, one accessed from the entrance hall through a door and the second accessed via a trap door in the sitting room.
View payable Stamp Duty for this property
A property of significant historical importance with grandeur and charm.
Peter DabornProperty agent