A grand country house with a long history could be restored to glory by an enterprising (and successful) bidder at CPBigwood’s next auction.
Grade II Listed Brockleton Court, near Tenbury Wells, which is set in more than 21 acres of grounds, has recently been run by as an outdoor educational centre.
But the Victorian building was once a home of some importance while the site it is on even merited a mention in the Domesday Book of 1086.
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Ron Darlington, partner in auctions department, said: “Bockleton Court was once a grand house and could be once again.
“It is in an amazing spot with stunning views, an imposing building which dominates all before it.
“In its prime it would have hosted splendid social gatherings supported by a host of servants, very much in the Upstairs, Downstairs tradition.
“Latterly it has welcomed generations of youngsters from the big city out to discover the joys of rural life.”
Built in the 1860s for the Prescott family, , it was designed by distinguished architect Henry Curzon in the Jacobean style, and constructed by Treasure and Sons of Shrewsbury.
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It features a “substantial number of reception rooms and bedrooms” plus a gamekeeper’s lodge, former walled kitchen garden and extensive grounds.
Some of the marble chimney pieces came from Clarence House, built by William IV, and now the official residence of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
The reasons for its listed status, state: “Of particular note is the galleried central hall with its pointed arched arcading on marble columns, painted frieze of hunting dogs by J H Wallis of Chiswick Mall, ornate Gothic stone fireplace and large lantern roof.
“Adjacent to the hall is the open well oak staircase lit by a window with glass by Kempe.
“The Morning Room, Drawing Room and Library have marble fireplaces from Clarence House. The Library fireplace has Egyptian demi-figures and is decorated with hieroglyphics. The frieze of classical figures in the Library and the Lobby also came from Clarence House and were painted by E J Parris in 1841.”
by auction held in 1905, make fascinating reading.
Back then the “manorial domain” extended to 3,733 acres including 17 farms, cottages and quarries – somewhat gruesomely, records talk of a stone quarry south of Bockleton Court “in which human bones have been found from time to time” – bringing in an annual income of £3,582, a not inconsiderable sum for the times.
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The details highlight the “commanding and magnificent views of the surrounding picturesque countryside extending to the Welsh mountains and over the Valley of the Teme to the Clee Hills”.
It also states: “The internal arrangement has been exceedingly well planned, the lofty reception rooms are charmingly placed for social gatherings and home comforts, the Grand Hall and Billiards Room being special features of the mansion. The domestic offices and stabling are exceptionally good and very convenient for economic and expeditious service.
“The sanitary arrangements throughout have been modernised and brought up to date during the last four years and again thoroughly overhauled and tested in 1904.
“The property altogether combines the charm and comfort of an ideal country residence with the dignity and splendour of a nobleman’s mansion.”
It also alludes to the popular and, at the time, lawful activity of fox hunting.
“There is excellent sporting. The Romers Wood is an excellent fox cover and three packs of hounds meet in the immediate neighbourhood.”
The splendid rooms included “charming boudoir”, “delightful drawing room”, “comfortable library”, “handsome and well-proportioned dining room”, “smoking and business room” along with the grand oak staircase and 18 bedrooms. Servants’ quarters comprised a hall, kitchen, bakehouse, housekeeper’s room, butler’s pantry, two larders, large scullery, cider stores, wine cellars, beer and bottle stores. It had stabling for 13 horses, while the vast grounds took in a bowling green, two large lakes with island, and an orchard.
Today, the estate is significantly reduced and covers only 21 acres (still more than enough to create some lovely parkland).
When the outdoor educational centre was flourishing, , services, library and learning accommodation, store rooms, recreation and reception space centred around the main entrance.
First and second storeys were used as dormitories with some smaller bedrooms for staff and visiting teachers.
Ownership of Brockleton is first mentioned during the reign of Edward the Confessor and then as being held by the Bishop of Hereford on behalf of the king. Members of the family of Bockleton appear as tenants in the 12th century.
Brockleton Court will have a guide price of £1 million at the auction on December 10.
It is being offered alongside 95 other lots, some from Birmingham City Council, Wolverhampton City Council and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, plus the usual mix of residential vacant, residential investment, commercial vacant, commercial investments, development opportunities, ground rents and garages.
Other period buildings up for sale at the event include The Coach House, The Mews and former stables, on Bridgnorth Road, Stourton, near Stourbridge.
These have a guide price of £250,000-£300,000. They were originally constructed to provide ancillary accommodation for the adjoining Stourton Court.
The former Kingsway Cinema in King’s Heath High Street, makes a return after previously failing to sell despite bidding reached £597,500 against a guide in excess of £600,000. Now it is available at £550,000-£575,000.
Planning permission is in place to regenerate the neo-classical, 90-year-old building by demolishing the rear fire-damaged structure but retaining the Grade A local listed façade to the front. combined with 14, two bedroomed apartments above.
Jonathan Hackett, CPBigwood’s partner and head of auctions, said: “This is perhaps the most varied and gregarious list of lots we have ever put together.
“We expect the venue to be packed with bidders looking to take home plenty of bargains.”
It will be taking place at Aston Villa’s Holte Suite. For details call 0121 233 5046 or look up
VIEWING INFORMATION
AGENT: CPBigwood
TEL: 0121 233 5046
WEB: www.cpbigwood.com
GUIDE PRICE: £1,000,000