Live like a Lord in a stately wing
Join the Downton set by buying a flat in a glorious converted estate
The new film of Downton Abbey opened this week, to much hype and acclaim, offering another chance to catch up with its social mix of characters and to bask in the splendour of stately home architecture.
It will also fuel interest in a niche sector of the property market — apartments in grand country houses.
Flats such as the one for sale in Redlynch Park, Bruton, Somerset. This 18th- century country house, once the seat of Lord Ilchester, was converted into flats 22 years ago, but it still has a Downton-esque feel to it.
‘When you look across the valley, with 30 acres of woodland and gardens designed by Sir edwin Lutyens, it feels like an absolute privilege to live here,’ says Ian Strong, 71, a retired lieutenant colonel, whose threebedroom maisonette is for sale at £495,000 ( knightfrank.
The age of english country houses being used for lavish Downton- style living became threatened from the mid-20th century. Upkeep became prohibitively expensive and there were fewer people prepared to work as servants.
Many became hospitals, schools or other institutions and later several were sliced up into apartments.
These have proved to be most popular with wealthy down- sizers. Portions of country houses usually offer more space than city centre apartments.
Bigger rooms mean that large, treasured old furniture looks in its rightful place. They also work well as lock-up-and-leave homes for those who travel. The proximity of neighbours acts as security.
Often this kind of property will have an interesting history. For example, Ide hill hall set in Phillippines Shaw in the Kent Downs was built in 1834 as a retreat for Joshua Wilson Faulkner, a portrait painter who is an ancestor of the Duchess of Cornwall.
Today the estate is set behind high, wrought iron gates with a security system. It comprises seven flats in a Grade II-listed mansion. There is a three-bedroom apartment priced £875,000 ( jackson-stops.co.uk). SUNDRIDGE estate, which dates back to 1200 was a shooting spot of the Prince of Wales, who became King edward VII. The house — Sundridge Park Mansion is Grade I-listed and designed by revered architect John nash. Apartments are from £ 425,000 to £ 2.5 million ( cityandcountry.co.uk).
By no means all properties for sale in converted country houses are eyewateringly expensive. A two-bedroom apartment in Staple hill house, Wellesbourne, Warwick, is £230,000 (connells.co.uk).
experts have mixed feelings about these type of homes. ‘There’s something rather wonderful about seeing an enormous country house at the end of a drive,’ says James Greenwood of Stacks Property Finders. ‘But buyers should remember that properties like this were not designed to be apartments. Are the rooms fit for purpose?
‘Look at practicalities. These are often tall buildings. Are there lifts? Is the sound proofing is good?
‘ Pay attention to the terms of your management fees. Are you responsible if there are structural problems with another part of the building? Do you have to pay for upkeep of the grounds, swimming pool and tennis courts?’
The gardens are often a highlight of a country house. norcliffe hall in Styal, near Wilmslow, Cheshire, for example, is in ten acres of grounds which include an arboretum and a stretch of the River Bollin.
In true Downton fashion, residents can enjoy walking the estate and are automatically granted fishing rights. While they may not have the services of Carson, they do have the full attention of a gardener, David Trelfa.
‘This is the most beautiful place,’ says Trelfa, 66. ‘It takes me three days to mow the lawns into stripes, but it’s a labour of love.’
The Grade II-listed Victorian mansion has been made into eight apartments, from £635,000 to £775,000 ( savills.co.uk).
Visitors are received in a grand hall and ‘ below stairs’ the servants’ quarters have been turned into a fitness suite.
Trelfa says, ‘I see the families sitting on the terrace in the evenings, enjoying a few glasses of wine.’
The spirit of Downton lives on.