PAMPHILL MANOR

This historically and architecturally important house has mellow brick elevations under a tiled and stone slated roof, enhanced by stone detailing and many fine sash or leaded windows, and is a delight viewed from any angle. According to the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, the house was built in the 17th century around a 16th century core by Matthew Beethell, steward to Sir Ralph Bankes of nearby Kingston Lacy. In the late 17th/ early 18th century, the handsome East front of the house featuring a Dutch gable with an urn finial was added and in the early to mid-18th century, the wing featuring three tall Georgian sash windows overlooking the driveway, was built. Later additions in the 18th and 19th centuries, and garaging in the late 20th century, complete the glorious property we see today.

Within the house are many notable architectural features and details including the fine 17th century staircase, wood pillars in the central hall which are reputed to have come from the original Kingston Lacy house, period fireplaces, wall panelling, window shutters, panelled doors and Victorian encaustic tiled floors. A particularly charming detail are the initials and dates etched on two panes of glass on the first floor, “JB July 1741” (possibly Jane Beethell) in the panelled bedroom and “Geo. Beethell 16th Aug 1740” in the adjacent bathroom.

The property has been well maintained and cared for by all the previous owners When the current owners bought the property in 2020, Pamphill Manor was the recipient or further improvements and sympathetic alterations with the replacement of sanitaryware and a beautiful new kitchen and breakfast area. The property has been caringly decorated and finished throughout with the inclusion of fitted plantation shutters in some of the rooms.

A brief summary of the accommodation is as follows:

A half glazed front door with stone surround and portico over opens into the welcoming reception hall, with part panelled walls, fireplace with wood-burning stove, and Victorian ceramic tiled floor. The elegant library has an open fireplace and double aspect windows with window seats and shutters, and the dining room also has an open fireplace. The inner hall features the unique wood pillars mentioned above and gives access to a wine room and access to main and secondary staircases.

The side entrance hall with fireplace and wood burner, has a garden door and gives access to the guest cloakroom and to the well-proportioned sitting room having an impressive pillared fireplace with wood burner, and a square bay window overlooking the side garden. The cosy study has a fireplace and inter-communicating door to the garden room, which has part panelled walls, a roof lantern, and door to the rear hall.

The kitchen and breakfast area has views across the gardens and drive and is fitted with a beautiful shaker kitchen with pantry cupboards at one end, Belfast sink and Carrara marble and includes an oil-fired Aga with electric ceramic hob and double oven module. The breakfast area has fitted seating below one of the windows.

The rear hallway has a boot room off and leads to a separate breakfast room with fireplace and wood burning stove. There is a staircase to the guest/au pair accommodation and access to a shower room and a gym which in turn leads to the boiler/utility room.

From the inner hall a magnificent period staircase leads to the first floor via a most attractive mezzanine half landing with large window looking over the side garden. The principal bedroom suit runs across the whole front of the property. The bedroom has painted panelling and a fireplace, double aspect windows, window seats and shutters. A door leads to a stunning bathroom with charming fireplace, freestanding bath, twin sinks and large shower. Beyond is a superb dressing room with fitted cupboards on two sides and a central island of draws.

Bedroom 2 has a fireplace, twin windows with window seats, dressing room area with fitted wardrobes and an en suite bathroom with vaulted ceiling. Bedroom 3 is an elegant bedroom which features two tall Georgian sash windows with shutters and window seats, high ceiling and fireplace with log burner. There is a door to an ensuite shower room which is also accessible from the landing.

The main staircase continues up to the second floor landing with eaves storage room, bathroom, playroom/ sitting room and two large attic bedrooms. Also on the second floor, approached via the secondary staircase is study 2/trunk room.

The guest/ au pair accommodation is accessible from the breakfast room where there is a kitchenette, bathroom and bedroom 4. The flexible arrangement enables this space to be used as additional accommodation for the main house but provides a degree of privacy.

OUTSIDE
The house is approached through an electrically operated white painted gate, and a sweeping shingle driveway with turning circle and central rose bed leads around to the main entrance front. The driveway continues to the side of the house and to the Coach House/Stable/ Garage block, which dates from the 18th century, providing 2 loose boxes with loft above and a double garage. In recent years an additional triple garage was built to one side, in keeping with the period building. There is a separate workshop/ store room at the rear of the annexe and the oil storage tank is screened behind the garage.

The beautifully maintained gardens are a magnificent feature of the property, extending in all to about 2.24 acres. There are well-tended lawns on various levels around the house interspersed with stone paths, and several water features. There are sunny paved terraces perfect for summer entertaining, and within the gardens are many seating areas from which to enjoy the delightful aspects. The gardens are particularly well stocked and include a vast selection of perennial shrubs, bulbs and climbers including wisteria, camellia, snowdrops, daffodils, tulips, crocus, bluebells, lavender, jasmine, clematis, rhododendrons, numerous freestanding and climbing roses, and box hedges, together many fine mature trees including yew, willow, oak, poplar and pink horse chestnut. At the rear is a stunning oriental woodland garden with hostas, azaleas, magnolia, and acers. A board walk runs through this garden with a striking red painted bridge spanning a pond with irises.
There is a productive and most attractively laid out kitchen garden with Alitex greenhouse having power, water and lighting, potting shed and fruit cage containing strawberry, raspberry, blackcurrant, peach and nectarine. Within the garden is an artificial grass tennis court. The gardens are bounded by a combination of mellow brick walls, yew and beech hedging and at the side and rear adjoin National Trust woodland, to which the public do not have access.