Who can resist a good story, especially when it’s attached to a property? Wordsley House in Stonnall is reportedly the former Welsh Harp Inn – one of the main staging posts between London and Chester – and the birthplace of Dick Turpin’s mate, Tom King.
There is also said to be a tunnel – long since filled in – that connected the 17th century, partially Grade II-listed property to the nearby Manor House and Castle Hill.
It’s a property steeped in local history.
Now split into two homes, Wordsley House offers 3,487 sq ft, of living accommodation and sits in a plot about 0.63 of an acre. Ideally situated for commuters to Lichfield, Walsall, Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham, Stonnall is just off the A452, yet is a village with rural views all round.
Wordsley House itself dates back to 1677 and retains many original features, including ceiling cornices and decorative plasterwork, picture rails and wood floors.
Set back off the main road by a small garden and gate, the house has a Tuscan-style porch and original timber front door that opens into the hallway, which has a Minton tiled floor, original ceiling cornice and decorative plaster work and stairs to the first floor.
The front-facing living room is a light period room with a floor to ceiling sash window and its original folding shutters. It’s roomy and has high ceilings, original picture rail and cornice, fireplace with wooden mantel, and a storage cupboard.
An inner hallway, which separates the living room from the dining room, has a window to the side and a built-in linen cupboard with sash door.
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The double aspect dining room has a large inglenook fire place with ovolo-moulded oak lintel and raised flagstone hearth, exposed ovolo-moulded bressummer beam, and the original pheasant hanging hooks. A built-in alcove cupboard provides useful storage.
The kitchen is fitted with white country-style wall and floor units and island. Complementary solid wood work surfaces and the double Belfast sink add to the rural feel of the kitchen, and there is space for a range cooker, dishwasher and large free-standing fridge freezer.
A rear hallway leads to the utility area/ boot room with quarry tiled floor, worktop and space and plumbing for washing machine and further white goods, and cloakroom. An oak door leads to the rear garden.
The bedrooms are found on the first and second floors. On the first floor, the principal and second bedrooms are off the landing, which has the original wide plank oak stained floor boards and linen cupboard.
The front-facing master bedroom has a floor-to-ceiling sash window, exposed ovolo-moulded ceiling beams, cast iron mid-level fireplace with wooden surround and stone hearth, and wardrobe cupboard. The L-shaped second bedroom also has a floor-to-ceiling sash window and wide plank floor and is large at 18’6” x 17’2”.
A rear landing leads to the family bathroom, which has a period-style suite with panelled bath and shower over and screen, low flush wc and pedestal wash basin. As well as exposed ceiling beams and an airing cupboard, there are partially tiled walls and polyvinyl flooring.
A snug, which could also be a bedroom, has exposed wide plank flooring, cast iron mid level fireplace with wooden surround and stone hearth, and a sash window that has rural views.
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Off this room is a toilet with and a pedestal wash basin that has Jack and Jill doors that also open on to another rear hall/landing with separate access to the next two bedrooms.
Two further bedrooms are on the second floor, each of which has the original floorboards and exposed ceiling beams, plus loft access. One has a built-in cupboard, while the second has fitted shelving.
The gardens are another charming aspect of this unusual home. Behind the electronically operated gates is a long gravel driveway that has space for several vehicles, which leads to a patio seating area.
From there are the formal landscaped gardens, which have mature trees and borders with flowers, plants and shrubs. Behind this is a “secret garden”.
Wordsley House also has an office/workshop in the gardens. The detached building has UPVC double glazed French doors and windows, sky lights, exposed brick wall, enclosed ceiling trusses, ceiling light points, power and telephone points.
Agents - Downes and Daughters
Telephone - 01543 432099
Guide price - £699,950