The site where Napleton House sits in Kempsey, Worcestershire, has long been considered a prime spot for a residence. It is reputed that a Roman villa was originally built there.

In its stead there is an imposing country house that dates back to the early 18th century and which was at one time owned by the Marquess of Blandford.

The Georgian origins of Napleton House were greatly expanded in Victorian times, creating the striking façade of today.

Napleton, which has land extending to more than 20 acres, is approached over a quarter mile driveway affording glimpses of the house in its picturesque setting. The driveway culminates in an ornate period wrought iron gate adapted for audio-visual contact and remote opening.

Beyond this it opens up through formal gardens to a broad gravelled area that provides extensive parking.

A second drive leads through a gate and drops down to a lower hard standing and parking area in front of the triple garage. It continues through to the coach house and back entrance.

Arranged over four floors, the accommodation is beautifully proportioned. Its rooms have many fine features including broad panel doors, deep architrave, sash windows, ceiling cornice and roses and a handsome fireplace in nearly every one.

Central to the ground floor is an impressive reception hallway with harlequin flag stone floor and an original oak front door with Georgian lock and key.

Doors radiate off to three principal reception rooms giving perfect versatility for family life and entertaining on a small or grand scale.

A glorious oak and mahogany cantilevered returning staircase leads up to a mezzanine landing and continues up over two floors.

The present owners have undertaken a program of improvement work including the addition of an orangery, resulting in a superb family kitchen which is fitted with a comprehensive range of bespoke units, granite work surfaces, integrated appliances and a two oven oil-fired Aga.

From here there is a utility/laundry room of generous proportions and a hallway leading to a cloakroom and down to a sizeable porch area with steps down to a lower ground floor.

Here there is an extensive network of cellars which open out onto the rear walled garden. They offer huge potential for conversion.

On the upper two floors there are seven large double bedrooms, four with en suite, and two bathrooms all charming in their own right and enjoying views over the stunning grounds and landscapes.

The tall ceilings, cornice and roses of the ground floor are mirrored giving a tremendous sense of space.

The entire house is complemented by tasteful decoration.

At the front of the house is a level lawn which was the old grass tennis court. It is boarded by a low hedge and a ha-ha, allowing an uninterrupted view over the grounds towards the woodland and wildlife pool with the Malvern Hills as a backdrop.

On the northern side of the house is a broad area of woodland with a garden hiding a bridge over the ha-ha onto the pasture land beyond.

The southern façade of the house boasts an original Victorian vented conservatory opening onto a brick paved terrace and formal garden with raised ornamental fish pond.

There is a further well maintained lawn with an attractive gazebo converted from a hand-carved oak Victorian well head framed by a mature walnut tree.

At the back of the house is a secluded walled garden with shaped lawns, barbeque area, raised terrace, and profuse borders incorporating numerous fruit trees.

There are gates into the woodland area and kitchen garden, with steps up to the coach house.

In the wider grounds an ancient orchard leads into Napleton Wildflower Meadow (SSSI) beyond which lies mainly hay pasture bordered by mature woodland with a brook at the very edge of the boundary.

Planning permission was obtained (though it has now lapsed) for a stable block to include a tack room, hay store, loose box suite and ménage.

Other accommodation includes a magnificent period brick built former coach house with attractive brick elevations and pitch tiled roof with separate access drive passing through a five bar gate onto the reputed Roman Road.

To the back of the Coach House is an enchanting walled kitchen garden, arranged into vegetable plots.

The coach house has planning permission for its conversion into a detached fully separate four- bedroom house with separate garage.

Napleton House occupies a magnificent private setting overlooking glorious unspoilt Worcestershire countryside with exceptional views towards the Malvern Hills.

The privacy of the home is owed to the approach over a splendid long private driveway lined in part by an avenue of ancient oaks and sequoia.

Nearby is the ancient village of Kempsey which dates back to Saxon times and has a thriving community.

Its facilities include a store and many hostelries, together with a renowned primary school, tennis cricket and football clubs.

Upton-On-Severn and the town of Pershore are within easy reach. Worcester, the M5 and motorway network are also an easy drive away.

The beautiful rural setting offers many footpaths and bridleways giving outstanding opportunity for walking, riding and other country pursuits.

VIEWING INFORMATION

AGENT: Andrew Grant

TEL: 01905 734735

WEB: www.andrew-grant.co.uk

GUIDE PRICE: £1,895,000