One of Staffordshire’s great estates – and one of its TV stars – is for sale but it will cost a cool £3,250,000 to anyone who wants to buy it.

Casterne Hall at Ilam, Ashbourne, Staffordshire, is an imposing Georgian country house which has been used in both movies and TV series, including Agatha Christie’s Poirot (The Mystery of Hunter’s Lodge), Jane Eyre, Sherlock Holmes (with Jeremy Brett), Far from the Madding Crowd and Jonathan Creek.

The Hurt family have owned the land in the Manifold Valley since the 16th century.

Casterne Hall was remodelled in about 1735 by Nicholas Hurt, who became High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1756, resulting in the three-storey, five-bayed building that stands there today.

The Grade II* listed house is extremely well positioned. It is close to Ashbourne, which is considered the gateway to the Peak District National Park.

A long winding drive cuts through some of its 182 acres, up to a front door which overlooks the Manifold Valley below.

The house is approximately 5,600 square feet of beautifully proportioned space.

In the grand entrance hall, there is a much admired oak staircase, Georgian arch and cornice as well as a particularly beautiful stone fireplace.

To the east of the reception hall is the oak panelled sitting room, dating from the Jacobean period. It has a very useful drinks cupboard as well as a stone fireplace and Georgian coving.

The fabulous kitchen boasts up-to-the-minute luxuries such as underfloor heating and a bespoke built-in kitchen with marble worktops and a central island.

There is a four-door Aga (naturally) with accompanying electric oven, all recessed in an arch with exposed stone quoins.

On the other side of the hall is the deal panelled drawing room with magnificent wooden floors as well as an ornate timber fireplace with marble slips.

A French door opens to the terrace while a secret door leads down to the wine cellar.

At the back of the drawing room there is a boot room, toilet with thunderbox and the old wash house.

On the first floor, the master bedroom boasts marvellous views to the front.

It is served by an en suite bathroom and a dressing area.

The main guest bedroom has more lovely views and links to another bedroom which could potentially be made into an en suite.

These three main bedrooms are all oak panelled.

Two more bedrooms and a bathroom complete this level.

On the second floor, there are four bedrooms, a bathroom and laundry and an upstairs sitting room and kitchenette which could be used as staff quarters.

The gardens cover around four acres. They are mainly lawn but have herbaceous borders, shrubs and a recently planted orchard.

A terrace can be reached from the drawing room.

At the back of the house there is a traditional stable courtyard. The stone buildings include a first floor flat (let on an assured shorthold tenancy), a garden store, tack room, garages, six stables, wash down facilities and a wood store.

A manège is situated beyond the courtyard as well as more storage sheds and a paddock.

To the east of the property are a range of farm buildings, a vegetable garden and a greenhouse.

Of the estate’s 182 acres, about 168 acres are rolling grassland divided into fields by stone walls and stretching south down to the River Manifold. There are also woodland copses.

The pretty village of Ilam is nearby and offers a primary school and church, various clubs and societies, and hosts seasonal events such as Dovedale Sheepdog Trials, the Ilam Fete and the Manifold Valley Show.

VIEWING INFORMATION

AGENT: Knight Frank

TEL: 0207 861 1069 / 0207 861 1078

WEB: www.knightfrank.com

GUIDE PRICE: £3,250,000