6 bedroom detached house for sale

A very unusual and substantial six bedroom property, extended in late Victorian times during the Arts and Crafts period, proudly stands overlooking its immaculate and extensive front lawns to the South, with far reaching views of the countryside beyond. This is a rare opportunity to buy such a unique and interesting property and is the first time Anwick Manor has been available for purchase since the early 1980s.

HIGHLY REVERED ARCHITECT

Originally thought to be a fairly modest Georgian home, the property was dramatically extended in 1890 by the architect Basil Edgar Baily, who was born in Newark in 1869, himself the son of an architect. He worked in partnership with Arthur W. Brewill, and the firm, Brewill and Baily, erected a great number and variety of properties; municipal, ecclesiastical, residential and business premises, including some very interesting and notable architecture in the pit village of New Bolsover Model Village in Derbyshire, commissioned by Bolsover Colliery in 1891. At Anwick Manor, there is a stone to the side of the property marked with the name Basil E Baily, giving the date 1890. The weather vane on top of the house is also 1890, as it proudly states on its cut-metal flag. Basil Edgar Baily was related to the Pogson family, the occupiers of the house at that time, and from the 1871 census for Anwick, one can see he was present overnight at the time of the census, aged three, and was recorded as a nephew. It is quite likely that he may have spent various times at the property during his childhood and formed an affinity with it. He would only have been twenty-three when he built the huge extension onto Anwick Manor, and he may well have had some assistance from his father. It is probable that this would have been his first major completed work then allowing him to showcase Anwick Manor as a reference point for potential clients. A measure of his skills and abilities would be the fact that he was awarded a fellowship of the Royal Institute of British Architects eleven years after extending Anwick Manor, in December 1901. This award would be one of the highest that could be achieved by an architect and would be in recognition for those who had made a significant contribution in architecture.

AUTHENTIC ARTS & CRAFTS DESIGN

Space, light, proportion, and quality of build were of paramount importance to architectural design in the Arts & Crafts Movement, all of which have been achieved to perfection in the immense addition to Anwick Manor. Not only do the huge bay windows shed a vast amount of natural light into the enormous rooms, but they also frame wonderful views of the garden, with its wealth of mature trees and sweeping lawns, and the open farmland and woods of Haverholme into the distance.

THE ACCOMMODATION

On entering the capacious hall from the front facade, the calibre of the property is immediately evident: the highly polished, herringbone parquet floor stretches out before you, a mighty, period, stone fireplace making a bold statement to the right, and the grand, red-carpeted staircase sweeps up to the heights above. Wide decorative archways lead with intrigue, through panelled doors to vast and elegant rooms of fine proportions. The dual aspect drawing room, for instance, features an impressive fireplace set into a massive niche; the huge southfacing bay window flooding the room with light, so too another tall window to the east; the breathtakingly high ceiling is an expanse of geometric plasterwork typical of the Arts & Crafts period; and the dadoheight, painted timber panelling lining the walls is complemented by the tall architrave surrounding the door into the room. The owners have decorated in a cheery red above the dado panelling, and with the matching sofas and armchairs, the room, far from feeling cold and gargantuan, welcomes you in with a warm glow. The owners say themselves, “As well as a sense of ostentation when you enter the house, there is also a homely feel as you explore throughout the inside there seem to be little steps and staircases here, there and everywhere.”

WOW FACTOR FOR CLIENTS

In the words of the current owners, reflecting on the architect, Edgar Baily's work on Anwick Manor: “Many features of the property suggest its dramatic roofscape, high chimneys and south facade would have made a bold statement to potential high-status clients, and one can imagine him showing clients into the drawing room as a means to demonstrate credibility and his ability to create a wow factor design of its time, with a similarity to the Arts and Crafts theme. Being related to the Pogson family would have allowed the opportunity for numerous visits to the property.” It is certainly of great architectural interest with many original features remaining within the property. Today Anwick Manor still captures a number of internal features such as original Minton nursey rhyme tiles designed by John Moyr Smith, set at a child's height in the family bathroom entrance area; an Adam-style Three Graces drawing room fireplace, together with internal moulding detail of the time; original window seats and featured decorative ceiling. Incorporated into the entrance hallway is a possibly 17th century fireplace, rumoured to have originated from Haverholme Priory. Reflecting previous use of the property, there still remains a working servants' bell-call system, and behind a modern kitchen oven still lies the cavity for an original bread oven. The property does have an oil fired central heating system with a new boiler fitted in recent years.

OUTSIDE

Externally, a ‘Ha Ha' is present and the large scale, south-facing facade takes full advantage of a framed southerly aspect to open countryside by means of a stately weeping willow and lime tree. These were probably planted in the 1890 period purely to give an aspect viewing for the pleasure of future generations over a century later. Further tree plantings have been added to provide both fruiting medlar, walnut and fig, together with autumn-tinted trees such as acers, liquid amber and tulip tree to enhance the approximate two acres of land and numerous outbuilding areas. Secret garden areas, including late summer herbaceous borders, provide areas to explore. Together with spring and autumn flowering bulbs and numerous other shrubs and trees, the garden provides year-round interest. The large lawned areas and kitchen patio area have provided the base for social and family gatherings, with children particularly liking the ability to explore the secret areas of the garden whilst being able to unleash their energy on the vast expanses of lawn for fun and games. Opposite the house across the drive are a range of traditional outbuildings which extend in total to some 1304 sqft which are extremely useful in their present use as general storage etc. but offer immense potential to be developed further for other uses subject to relevant consents. The property is approached through a substantial but ornate pair of wrought iron gates within attractive, curved, brick walling.

EXTREMELY ACCOMMODATING

The owners have found that during the Christmas period, the drawing room has been the focal point for meeting and socialising inside. The existing window seats and furniture has meant that twenty plus people have been seated whilst still accommodating a baby grand piano. As the owners enthuse,” The warmth of a roaring fire emanating from the Adam's fireplace has created atmospheres and events that we will always remember over our forty year occupancy here. During that time, other family members have lived within the property and the layout of an additional kitchen, lounge and bedroom facilities allows for the potential of granny and/or staff accommodation.” Whilst living here, the owners have made decorative improvements using the guidance of interior designers for colour schemes and have added bathroom features, showers and a sauna, with a sympathetic hand to the building's heritage, to enhance the property further.

CONVENIENT LOCATION

Anwick Manor is sited as the last property on the edge of the village, and whilst giving the feeling of being in open countryside, it is only a short walk from the gates to a local convenience store and just a ten-minute drive to Sleaford, the administrative centre of North Kesteven with its supermarkets and other facilities. Rail network links are available both here and at the nearby town of Grantham for London connections. The historic city of Lincoln, the East Coast and the Lincolnshire Wolds (an area of outstanding natural beauty) all being within striking distance. There is no doubt that the occupiers will miss Anwick Manor which stands as a proud and imposing building with views from all south elevations onward to the countryside and the distant trees of Haverholme, but the future will now give others the chance to enjoy this unique property. The owners reflect: “Simple things such as eating freshly picked figs, relaxing in the sunshine of the south facing gardens, summer and winter social events with friends and family, wandering through the gardens will all be memories for those leaving and will give opportunities for the new incumbents to create their own ideas and recollections”.