B-listed Georgian home set in stunning grounds
A STUNNING Georgian manse bang in the heart of the Ayrshire countryside which was once owned by the Duke of Portland has gone on the market - and it could be yours if you have a cool £925,000 or so to spare.
The B-listed House of Craigie, close to the village of Craigie, was originally built in 1746 and is set within beautiful, well established garden grounds.
The eight bedroom property is surrounded by open countryside and enjoys far-reaching views to Arran, Ailsa Craig and even Ireland on a clear day.
There is an excellent all-weather tennis court, an indoor swimming pool complex, beautiful landscaped gardens with Edwardian peach house, and a 4.5 acre agriculturally registered paddock.
The property has been owned by the Duke of Portland, Sir James Finlay Muir of Braco Castle, Perthshire and Lady Sarah Collins of the publishing family.
Built of traditional construction under a slate roof, the house offers sunny and well-proportioned rooms, a very flexible layout, and is in excellent condition throughout.
The present owners have taken great care in restoring the house to a very high standard and House of Craigie offers an abundance of retained period features to include solid oak floors, impressive fireplaces, ceiling cornices, sash and case windows and a beautiful stone cantilever staircase.
The accommodation comprises four reception rooms, a custombuilt kitchen with Aga and central island, eight double bedrooms (two sharing a Jack and Jill en-suite shower room), three additional bathrooms, a utility/ boot room and rear porch, and a cloakroom/WC.
The indoor swimming pool measures 30’ x 15’ and enjoys direct access to the garden via large sliding glazed panels.
The extensive grounds include wooded areas, lawns, a charming kitchen garden with Edwardian peach house, ponds, meandering pathways, patio, and a smart, allweather tennis court.
The grazing paddock is located immediately adjacent to the private, cobbled and gravelled treelined driveway, and is fully enclosed with roadside access.
On the ground floor, a solid timber door opens into the large and welcoming reception hall, which boasts original flooring and a beautiful stone cantilever staircase with original balustrade.
A useful cloakroom and WC is located immediately off the hall.
The sitting room boasts a dual aspect with large sash and case windows and views to Ailsa Craig, an open fireplace with marble hearth, and bespoke builtin bookcases.
Adjacent to the sitting room is a lovely dining room that offers a solid oak floor, open fire and twin windows to the rear.
The kitchen offers an excellent range of custom-made cabinets, with four door Aga, undermount sinks, central island, and a large window to the front elevation.
A door from the kitchen leads into a superb family room, which is a spacious L-shaped room enjoying a triple aspect, with builtin window seats, an open fire, wooden floor and glazed doors that give direct access to the rear garden.
Off the lobby is a useful utility/boot room, with fitted storage units, Belfast sinks and plumbing for white goods. This room also houses the oil-fired boiler.
A door from the lobby opens into the fantastic games room, which is a flexible use space, with solid wood floor, open fire and bespoke fitted bookshelves.
The swimming pool can be accessed through the games room or via external doors. The fantastic heated pool measures 30’ x 15’ and enjoys a vaulted ceiling and views over the rear garden, with sliding glazed panels bringing the outside in. The tiled floor surrounding the pool benefits from a wet underfloor heating system and there are two showers as well as two WCs.
There are four generous double bedrooms on the first floor. Two of the spacious bedrooms share access to a ‘Jack and Jill’ en-suite shower room, while the other double bedrooms share a wellequipped bathroom.
The principal bedroom is a particularly lovely room, boasting an impressive fireplace and a dual aspect.
A further set of stairs continue from the first floor to the second floor, where again, a spacious landing with deep storage cupboard can be found.
There are four double bedrooms on this level, two with attractive fireplaces, and all enjoying lovely views. and two bathrooms.
Outside, a gated entrance with cobbled and gravelled driveway leads to a large parking and turning area at the front of the house.
Adjacent to the back door is a large, useful external storeroom which houses the operating plant and underfloor heating controls for the swimming pool.
The property is set within the most beautiful, established and well stocked garden grounds, comprising wooded areas, lawns, sheltered patios, an Edwardian peach house , a kitchen garden, specimen trees and plants, and two ponds.
To the northwest of the house is an impressive all-weather tennis court, which is in excellent condition, and which enjoys fantastic views over to the Arran and Jura.
To find out more contact the agents, Fine & Country, Carlisle, on 01228 583109.