PARKS COURT

Parks Court is a magnificent and historic Grade II* listed family house. Built in the 14th century as a Hall House, the spacious and beautifully appointed accommodation revolves well around the central Great Hall. The historic architectural details include open truss work, fireplaces, panelling and a fine 17th century staircase. The period detail is complemented by the superb kitchen/breakfast room and the good quality traditional style bathroom suites. There are excellent living and entertaining rooms on the ground floor and bedrooms and bathrooms on both the first and second floors. The property is presented in excellent decorative order with all improvements having been implemented with considerable style and attention to detail.

The rooms are well appointed and the good standard of interior design highlights the architectural details. The Great Hall forms the axis with the original entrance and features flagstones, a large stone chimney piece, exposed stone quoins and open truss work and there is a minstrels’ gallery at one end. To the west is the drawing room with a marble chimney piece, part 17th century panelling and panelled cupboards and display niche. A door leads to the wooden conservatory which in turn leads to the garden and the study, which is a cosy room with a fireplace and book shelves.

Between the study and the Great Hall there is a stair hall with a magnificent 17th century oak staircase that leads upstairs to four bedrooms and three bathrooms. On the eastern side of the Great Hall is the dining room that has a large inglenook fireplace with oak bressamer and ceiling beams above. A concealed turning staircase leads to two further bedrooms and a bathroom. Adjacent to the dining room is a well equipped kitchen/breakfast room with an Aga and a range of integrated appliances.

To the rear of the house and linked by a cloister stands the former barn, converted to provide a family room with utility room beyond.

Gardens

The magnificent gardens surround the property and offer a variety of themes from classical lawn terraces with clipped hedging to wild flower copses and a Provence-style courtyard. All elevations of the house provide access to the gardens but they are perhaps best approached from the conservatory. The gardens include formal lawns, terraces, a gravel walk, two rectangular ponds with central fountains, a laburnum walk, a yew walk and an enclosed garden with trailing roses and an enclosed square garden with high beech and yew hedging. There is also a courtyard garden with large flagstones that is gravelled and planted with a variety of herbaceous and flowering shrubs. There is outside lighting and outside taps and from here access can be gained to the conservatory and formal gardens

Outbuildings

Situated to the northeast of Parks Court is a modern range of garaging and car port, constructed of rendered block work elevations and a corrugated roof. These provide garaging for one car and covered parking for a further two cars. Next to the garaging is an area of hard standing.

Approach

The property is approached by a pair of brick entrance pillars surmounted by classical urns with wrought iron gates that open onto the drive. Either side of the drive are lawned gardens enclosed by stone walling. To the east of the drive is a garden with a pond that features an attractive recurring water feature. A gravel path leads under a rose covered arch to a large flagged terrace adjacent to the front door. This enjoys a southern aspect and is bordered by an established rose bed. From here a flight of stone steps leads under a rose covered arch to the front lawn. A gravel walk with lavender and box borders leads to the front boundary. Mature flowering perennial beds border the house and from here vines, roses, clematis and a magnolia grow.

History

While the earliest evidence of a house on this site dates back to the 13th century, it is recorded that the present structure grew around the central hall and dates from about 1350. The 16th century saw the insertion of the first floor and the division of the hall into four rooms with the addition of the two cross wings at the east and west end. It is believed that during repairs and modernisation in 1482, the hall became stone clad and the dais window installed, There were also alterations to windows and doors at this time. The name “Parkes Court” is believed to originate from 1471, having been home to the De Parco family for several generations.

In 1604 The Seaman family became tenants of the house and farm, thereafter known as Acres Farm with land of some 500 acres. The Seaman family and their marriage connections remained in the property until the latter part of the 18th century; their occupation witnessing the installation of the fine 17th century oak staircase and further alterations to windows and doors.

The history of the house during the 19th century is scarce but it is known that in 1928, Parks Court was acquired by the War Department, remaining in their ownership for the greater part of this century. In 1985, a programme of substantial restoration and modernisation was begun. The Great Hall was reinstated (after 400 years), with many of the period features restored and a formal garden created to echo the style and period of Parks Court itself.