Katherine's Hall 2 Weald Moors Park, , TF6 6DQ

Katherine's Hall

Telford - 6.4 miles Wolverhampton - 23.3 miles (Distances are approximate)

The largest and grandest 4 bedroom property in thi s converted Grade 1 listed alms house of outstanding calibre and historical interest.

Reception Hall Great Hall Lounge Kitchen/Breakfast Room Cloakroom Master Bedroom with Ensuite Guest Bedroom with Ensuite Bathroom Ground Floor Bedroom with Ensuite Further Bedroom Family Bathroom Study Area Basement Utility/Store & Garden Store Double Garage Rear Gardens

Katherine's Hall Arguably, one of ’s finest listed homes. What was originally a home for ‘women and girls of reduced circumstance’ built in 1716 following a bequest by Lady Katherine Herbert, daughter of the Earl of Bradford (today’s Earl is still owner of the Western Park estate) was converted to an exacting specification in 2004 into exclusive apartments and houses. Supported by the most delightful church (St. Lawrence’s), and the dearest of primary schools, the picturesque village of Preston upon the Weald Moors, one of a cluster of similarly ‘chocolate box’ pretty hamlets and villages, is unbelievably less than 10 minutes drive to Telford and, with easy access via the A5 and M54 to major conurbations and is well placed for commuting in all directions.

The layout of the overall building has been likened to an Oxford College and in the multi-aspect nature of the design, lent itself particularly well to splitting up into separate dwellings, with each part feeling very much an entity in its own right. This property, the largest one and home to the Great Hall (in its hey day, according to archives, the social centre piece of the house), certainly has its own particular identity and, whilst benefitting from belonging to a community and the fabulous shared grounds, it is entirely uncompromised in its own distinction; its gorgeous garden with fruit trees, vegetable patch and countryside views to the horizon, is very much for personal enjoyment and not at all overlooked. Leaning on the old estate wall from the decking immediately behind the property whilst gazing across the immaculate private lawns and over endless fields which unfold, unspoilt, as far as the eye can see, perhaps sipping from a glass of something reassuring, the sense of openness and complete peace is overwhelming.

The whole building is of dwarfing proportions and with its formal, symmetrical layout, elegant colonnades, stone mullioned windows and other stone decorative enrichments, is visible for miles around. Both front and rear façades of the property are equally impressive but possibly the front, the most striking: the view through the colossal front gates embellished with the Bradford coat of arms, across the fore gardens and up the majestic driveway to the front elevation itself, displaying its huge oak front door with Georgian fanlight in grandiose stone portico and towering arched windows, and adorned with its own flag-pole and wonderful clock tower, is simply jaw dropping. It certainly would make the most glorious backdrop for a wedding. Even a royal one.

The current owners, in occupation since the conversion of the 21 properties, have created a fabulous home with beautiful, contemporary appointments and additions, all complying with the listing regulations of course; luxurious whilst being the epitome of good taste. Involved in the finished design from the very beginning, the present owners have ensured that the property meets their own desired specification and the resultant style is effortlessly state of the art. One might even say, inspired. Muted chalky paint finishes and sisal carpets complement the outstanding original oak panelling and doors as well as the contemporary mellow oak of the kitchen and the rear staircase. As with the russet brick and the sombre stone of the exterior, the inside effectively offsets the old stone flags, a superb matt charcoal Corian kitchen work surface and the cool, etched glass in the one bedroom, with rich terracotta quarry tiles and the welcoming ambience of both the tawny and honey coloured oak. The use of similar but varying subtle shades for the glass mosaic tiling in the several bathrooms adds a pleasing twist and demonstrates the unquestionable flair quietly in evidence here. Ceiling spotlights give the rooms a fresh, clean perspective.

ACCOMMODATION Entry though the rear reception hall with quarry tiles, stone arch and full cellars off the inner hallway which has a useful walk -in cupboard, is height window to the front, into the hallway having an oak staircase with reached by brick steps and is made up of two domed rooms which have carvings to the string, oak treads with hexagonal steel carpet bars, fine been properly decorated and finished with an attractive overlaid timber balustrading and a turned handrail with velute newel post. The satin flooring, one with the provisions for a washer and dryer, and with a large medium oak floor continues along the hallway to the stone steps rising to meter cupboard and a door to the outside; the other is currently used the Great Hall . This incredible reception room showcases original oak primarily for storage. Upstairs, from the hallway the large galleried landing panelling all round to the height of the oversized oak panelled doors, doubles as a study and the satin oak flooring continues down the landing effectively camouflaging them and providing an elegant and dignified quality into the family bathroom ; a gorgeous spacious room with free standing tub to the room. The display niches over both stone fire surrounds (one housing and moulded glass twin basins with low level w/c, bidet, chrome heated a cast iron wood burner), have, according to historical data, displayed towel rail and wall of glass mosaic tiling. The second bedroom is on one anything from trophies to religious artefacts. Now, left empty they side and the stunning master bedroom , dominated by three lovely sash unobtrusively echo the arches of the windows and the large door frame. windows with ensuite shower room, on the other. The dual aspect views Wide gutter cornicing draws the eye up to the very slight curve where walls from the bedrooms are spectacular and with the enormous windows are meet ceiling, architectural artistic licence from a previous era. Now painted flooded with natural light. a soft off-white, the ceiling bestows a restful ambience on the room and complements the splendid stone flooring which has been lifted, OUTSIDE painstakingly cleaned and relaid to incorporate under floor heating. Modern Entry to the immaculately maintained communal grounds is between the comforts have been addressed in everyway even to the extent that trench two original gate houses, up the driveway flanked by mature lime trees with heating concealed behind the top of the panelling on the windowsills has fruit trees to both far edges of the formal lawns. The symmetry and been installed to prevent any possibility of a down draft due to the extreme regularity of the building is mirrored by that of the gracious grounds and height of the arched windows: this is basically a belt and braces approach inside the main gates into the formal courtyard garden . The rear of the as these windows have been replaced with beautiful hardwood double property has its own private entrance, reached by a separate driveway, via glazed windows and are still framed by the original panelled reveals. The oak floor is continued here from the hall. The lounge is a relatively cosy a double five bar wooden gate. The double garage with two separate up huge front door with heavy duty wrought iron bolts is possibly the main focal room, still very spacious though, and has the same simple style of stone fire and over doors has its own driveway providing extra parking and has point of the room and when open, the view (from the patio formed by the surround and cast iron wood burner. To the far side of the Great Hall, are storage space in the eaves, accessed by a roof hatch with pull down imposing stone steps) down the path with the pillared cloister styled two further ensuite bedrooms and a cloakroom . The bedrooms have built aluminium ladder. The rear of the property has a private walled garden with buildings on both sides, is awe inspiring. The kitchen breakfast room with in sandblasted glass fronted wardrobes with sliding doors and exceptional a wide decked area split by a striking rill water feature and inset LED lights, three windows with working shutters and pretty window seats looking over ensuite bath/shower rooms; the second of these two bedrooms approached a raked gravel “zen” inspired ornamental garden to one end and a paved the walled rear garden has been stylishly fitted with a full range of via an oak staircase with oak hand rail has one etched toughened glass wall terrace with cherry tree to the other (with steps leading down to the door to contemporary oak units with a Corian work surface and upstands. There are with sliding door (it is a joy to feel the quality of the engineering here as the the cellar); bordered by the old estate wall, it offers a secluded dining and 1 1⁄2 moulded sinks under the side window and a small stainless steel one heavy door glides open). The ensuite to this upstairs bedroom, having bath relaxing area. The expanse of lawn with vegetable patch and small orchard with a tap in the long island unit which also incorporates an under-counter and over-bath shower is particularly sizable and within one of the built in strategically positioned to minimize disruption to the unadulterated and fridge and separate freezer along with a breakfast bar. There is an electric cupboards is a secret staircase, which rises through the eaves of the roof to seamless view of the surrounding countryside, would be perfect for a range cooker with gas hob and stainless steel splash back, continuous the clock tower. This whole area off the Great Hall has the capacity to be marquee and garden party or, a low key afternoon tea accompanied by a extractor hood and chimney. An integrated dishwasher and convection converted to a separate living, space subject to consents, and as is, relaxed game of croquet or badminton. microwave and space for a large American style fridge freezer; the lovely provides excellent ancillary accommodation for a relative or lodger. The

PROPERTY MISDESCRIPTIONS ACT 1991: The Agent has not tested any apparatus, equipment, fixtures, fittings or services and as so does not verify they are in working order, fit for their purpose, or within ownership of the sellers, therefore the B uyer must assume the information given is incorrect. Neither has the Agent checked legal documentation to verify the legal status of the property or the validity of any guarantee. A buyer must assume the information is incorrect, until verified by their own Solicitors. The sale particulars may change in the course of time and any interested party is advised to make a final inspection of the property to exchange of contracts.

2 High Street, Tettenhall, WV6 8QT Tel: 01902 754777 Email: [email protected] www.peterjamesproperty.com

Fixtures and Fittings - All carpets and curtains are excluded from the sale but may be available by separate negotiation.

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