KNIGHTON HOUSE

Knighton House is an extremely handsome unlisted country house, understood to date from the 1600s but reconfigured in the 19th and again in the 20th Century. The current owners purchased the property in 2015 and have carried out an extensive yet sensitive transformation of the house with the assistance of renowned interiors company Sims Hilditch. The approach to the renovation has been holistic whilst being entirely sympathetic to the property’s heritage with an elegant country aesthetic throughout.

Extensive works completed in recent years include rewiring, replumbing, new windows, roof and chimney repairs, replastering, new floors and a two-storey extension to the kitchen with a guest bedroom above. In addition, the outbuildings have been completely overhauled to provide fantastic ancillary living space as well as equestrian facilities and the gardens extensively yet sympathetically landscaped. The house extends to over 7300 sq ft with elegant reception rooms, a fabulous family kitchen and 8 beautifully proportioned bedrooms.

There is an integrated Sonos sound system throughout the principal rooms. The front door opens under a deep porch into the large, welcoming library which provides a relaxed living space with stone tiled flooring with underfloor heating. Beyond here is the wonderful, triple-aspect 30ft drawing room which has a deep bay window, large open fireplace and superb views over the gardens and terraces. An elegant dining room completes the formal reception rooms at the front of the house and links directly through to the kitchen. The library also opens through to the inner reception hall which has an adjoining guest cloakroom, the staircase rising to the first floor and French doors to the terrace. Beyond here is the sitting/TV room, a relaxed space with a woodburning stove and further French doors to the terrace. The kitchen/breakfast room is exceptional and is designed by Neptune with hand painted cabinetry under quartz worktops. It is a true chef’s kitchen with Seimens oven and professional style gas burners as well as an electric 4-oven Aga. There are deep drawers, a walk in pantry and built in fridge-freezers and appliances. Bifolding doors opens out to the rear courtyard and the space has a relaxed New England feel with a muted colour palette and wood panelling. The adjoining boot/utility room is a hugely practical space with ample storage, laundry space and a dog shower. A study is cleverly tucked away through a hidden door in the kitchen cabinetry and has its own access out to the front drive. There are five bedrooms on the first floor including the magnificent principal bedroom suite, which is above the drawing room and benefits from the same large bay window which has a superb outlook over the gardens and grounds. There is an adjoining dressing room with bespoke cabinetry which opens through to the bathroom with a huge walk-in shower. The four further bedrooms on this floor are all large doubles and three have built in or walk-wardrobes and en suite bath/shower rooms. A separate WC opens from the landing. There are three further bedrooms on the second floor with a shared shower room and a large and easily accessible eaves store room.

ANCILLARY ACCOMMODATION

Located behind the main house, across a gravel courtyard, a large L-shaped outbuilding has been converted to provide garaging as well as impressive ancillary space. Immediately behind the house is the plant room, double garage and a large gym/studio. The former stables have been converted into a fantastic entertainment space with a pub/bar area and cinema/games room with two sets of French doors opening out to a terrace and garden. Beyond the games room is the self-contained one bedroom cottage with an open-plan living room/kitchen, double bedroom and bathroom. It has its own parking area and private garden.

FURTHER OUTBUILDINGS AND EQUESTRIAN FACILITIES

Within the rear courtyard is a further double garage with electric roller doors and a listed period granary on its original staddle stones. Accessed via a secondary driveway, to the west of main house is an immaculate stable yard with three loose boxes, a tack room and a machinery store. There is an adjacent 57m x 20m manege.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS

Knighton House is approached through double gates which open onto a sweeping gravel drive leading up to a large turning circle to the front of the house. The driveway is flanked by formal lawns and deep herbaceous borders providing a mature and elegant approach and setting. To the east of the driveway a Yew avenue provides formal structure and a division from the lawns beyond. The main terrace is found to the east of the house, bordered by formal borders with box hedges. A path leads up to a kitchen garden with raised beds, fruit cages and a green house. A covered outdoor kitchen and dining area enjoys fabulous south-facing views over the gardens and the adjacent terrace has an above ground swimming pool. The gardens are bordered by a selection of mature specimen trees to the southern boundary. The majority of the further land is laid to pasture and is found to the east, north and west of the house. To the north the land borders the River Stour and there is a large pond bordered by mature woodland. There are two further parcels of land located across the lane which provide good protection for the approach to Knighton House. They are predominantly laid to woodland and a small area of pasture.

Additional land

A further 1.41 acres of land with outline planning permission for 20 dwellings is available by separate negotiation (BCP Planning Application Reference: APP/22/00956/P)

Right of Access

The neighbouring property, Henry’s Cottage, has a right of vehicular access over the secondary driveway.