Interior & Grounds

Ground Floor

The Hall: Step through the Georgian portico into a supremely civilised way of life. The first thing to greet your eye in the hallway is a stunning staircase, a delicate flight of fancy, where refined plasterwork, sinuous contours and patinated old wood combine in a setting of unusual grace, flooded with light from an octagonal lantern.

The Drawing Room: Lit by enormous Georgian windows on three sides looking out onto lawns and gardens, this gracious room can seat 40 for a presentation, or provide a comforting roost by the log fire for solitary contemplation, glass of whisky to hand. There is plentiful seating, dignified family portraits adorn the walls, a crystal chandelier adds a discreet sparkle, there is a grand piano for those musical moments, and an air of calm serenity reigns, guaranteed to calm the most city-stressed soul.

The Morning Room: A comfortable room in which to hibernate on chunky leather Chesterfields in front of the fire, listening to music on the heavy-duty sound system, or gazing at the equestrian paintings.

The Dining Room: Seating for 18 in a room well-lit by two deep windows. Impeccable antiques, a handsome fireplace and more equestrian paintings add to the comfortable country house character.

The Kitchen: A classic large well-lit country kitchen - the warm heart of the house - with an Aga and a gas range, a Welsh dresser crammed with china, and a fine oak table for casual meals. Plus all the usual culinary mod cons including a capacious dishwasher.

The Conservatory: Catching every ray of sun, sheltered from stray breezes, this is the perfect spot to enjoy your breakfast cup of coffee and a glance at the newspaper.

The Billiard Room: The classic masculine hideaway, complete with the odd stuffed pheasant.  It has all the appropriate sportive paraphernalia and lighting, and a fine tiled floor.

The Library: Let time go by peaceful and undisturbed, sink into a leather armchair in this inviting quiet refuge, its shelves lined with fine old leather-bound books as well as the ones you might actually want to read.

The First Floor

There are nine double bedrooms on this floor, four of which can convert to make twin rooms. For barefoot happiness, all the bedrooms have fitted carpets sprinkled with Persian rugs, and all have interesting pieces of antique furniture or touches of wit and history, in rooms that are simple and comfortable. The windows look onto soothing views of garden and tree tops. In addition there are seven bathrooms with pretty old mirrors, white painted floors, roll-top baths and even the odd fireplace.

Bedroom 1: A romantic phantasy of a bedroom, with its elaborately turned wooden fourposter bed, and stack of much-travelled old leather suitcases. The room has an attractive coved ceiling, a fine big fireplace, and a stone balcony with a garden view.

Bedroom 2: A remarkable double bed, a fine antique chest of drawers and a proper fireplace make this into a cosy and comfortable haven.

Bedroom 3: A large light room, dominated by an extraordinary antique wooden coffer. The double bed can convert to two singles.

Bedroom 4: Lit by a chandelier, this comfortable room with its buttoned love seat has an en suite bathroom. The double bed converts to two singles.

Bedroom 5: A large bedroom with an en suite bathroom. The double bed can convert to two singles.

Bedroom 6: A double room with a convenient handbasin. Simple Roman blinds at the window, an antique quilt and an ancient wooden coffer give the room character.

Bedroom 7: This cosy room has a lovely old carved wood double bed and an antique chest of drawers

Bedroom 8: The large double bed converts to two singles. There is a comfortable armchair to settle into by the fire.

Bedroom 9: With a comfortable red plush seat, floral chintz curtains and a double sleigh bed, abutting a vast old linen basket.

The Grounds: Great swathes of manicured croquet lawn, fine mature tress, an impressive stone pool, a sheltered walled corner overflowing with romantic perennials and the most perfectly neat organic potager complete with fruit-filled glasshouse – this is the best of temperate gardening. There is a barbecue by the herb garden.