_Captivating 400-year-old Devon country house hosting King Charles I hits the market

Offers in excess of: £3,000,000

Records reveal that the Grade I listed Manor House at Bradninch dates back to Tudor England built in 1547 for a notable local MP. Over the years it has been substantially altered and added to, extended outward into an E-shape through cross-wings and modernised by its current owner to create a 21st Century home where historically significant period features sit cheek-by-jowl with mod cons, smart interior design and high end fixtures and fittings including indoor pool.

A tour of this captivating and rare 7-bedroom country home would take some time - it's warren of characterful, museum-grade rooms offering up plenty of thickly decorated features such as Jacobean panelling rubbing shoulders with exposed stonework, vaulted ceilings and original timber beams. Only the south and part of the north wings built of local brownstone by Sainthill, survive.

Taking centre stage is a coin toss between the outstanding terrace garden and 16th 'Job' room - an exceptionally well preserved drawing room of cavernous proportions with a decorative plaster ceiling with pomegranate panels and oak panelling throughout.

The overmantle to the stone fireplace forms the focal point of the room, intricately carved with a narrative of episodes from Job’s trials and tribulations.

The staircase hall centres around the grand 16th century dog-leg staircase leading to an upgraded master bedroom suite and adjacent guest bedroom.

The master bedroom is of particular note, on a grand scale with views over the lake, rose gardens and surrounding countryside, a barrelled ceiling and newly refurbished en suite shower room.

The master bedroom is known as 'The King Charles Room' for the very reason that the King is said to have slept there during a visit in 1644. 

A long corridor leads to the additional bedroom accommodation and family bathroom. There are four further bedrooms, all of excellent proportions and offering life affirming views across the lawns and lake. On the second floor in a self-contained apartment, ideal for a live in nanny or housekeeper or additional guest accommodation.

The gardens at The Manor House are beautifully designed, fully established rose garden and give the property a sense of privacy that is rare for an edge-of-village house.

Immediately in front of the house is a terrace for outdoor dining, beyond which is a large swathe of lawn leading to the lake. The grounds extend to around 7 acres, although it gives the impression of being much larger thanks to the abundance of mature trees, variety of plants and gently undulating ground.

A majestic Lucombe Oak has pride of place over the garden, and is understood to be one of the oldest of its kind. On the south side of the house is an established rose garden, through which a path leads to the back of the house where there is west facing terrace and lawn with direct access to the indoor swimming pool.

Connections with another royal name lie in its former ownership by the Duchy of Cornwall between 1874 and 1976, the private royal estate currently overseen by Prince Charles.

Find out more about the Manor House at Bradninch, request a virtual viewing or speak to one of our agents.