More than a thousand years have passed since Besford Court Estate, Besford, Worcestershire, was first mentioned in King Edgar’s charter privileges to Pershore back in 972.
It has had a number of important owners since then, including Edward the Confessor, the Abbot of Pershore and rather more recently, the Catholic Church.
The original timber framed Besford Court was built around 1500.
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Arts and Crafts architect Albert Randall Wells was called to work on the to Sir George Noble.
The architect’s masterpiece, it involved the demolition of a Georgian wing, the retention of the original Elizabethan core, and the addition of a large courtyard in the Tudor Gothic style.
The result was the last great Gothic English country house.
However, the remodelling ground to a halt in 1912 when Sir George and his wife Lady Noble split up after she became involved with Wells.
The couple went on to marry in 1917, after the Nobles divorced.
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Following the scandal, the building, which was never lived in, was sold to the Catholic Church, who used it as a school for boys with special educational needs.
The school closed in 1996. After this Prowting Homes saw the potential for the conversion of the Grade II* listed property into eight unusual homes.
Currently for sale is the primary residence which occupies the centre section of Besford Court.
It historically included the chapel. The morning sunshine floods through the metal cased windows into what was once the apse area, illuminating the wonderful Cotswold Stone arches.
Though described as an apartment, the home for sale actually covers three floors.
A cloister access first floor.
Immediately off the hall is the master bedroom, a room of fabulous proportions that includes a bay window area that used to be part of the chapel apse.
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It is the only apartment within the court to have its own private door into the grounds.
Adjoining the master bedroom is a dressing room which connects into a large en suite bathroom.
This domed room has a bath tub, twin sinks and a shower cubicle.
Also on this floor is a library/bedroom four which benefits from full height shelving and a glorious view across the gardens and grounds.
The balustrade turning staircase in the hall leads to the first floor landing where double doors open up into the imposing Romanesque sitting room with stunning arched roof.
A pleasant sitting area has been created within the apse while at the back there is a space for dining with bay window overlooking the cloistered courtyard below.
Next to the dining area is a snug with French window onto a Juliette balcony.
Running alongside the sitting room is a contemporary L-shaped kitchen and breakfast room. The kitchen area has a breakfast bar around a pillar.
The Siematic units are maple wood beneath a black and grey granite work surface.
A range of integrated appliances includes a fridge freezer, fitted double oven and hob.
Next to the kitchen is a multifunctional working area and a utility room with dishwasher and plumbing for washing machine and tumble dryer.
At the end of there is a toilet with wash basin and a loo with a view.
On the second floor there are two large double bedrooms, both served by a family bathroom with bath, shower, toilet and basin.
The larger of the two bedrooms has double doors to a high level terrace and place to walk.
The apartment also comes with a secure lock up in the cellars.
Besford Court is set in formal gardens and grounds of about 35 acres.
There is a communal hard surface .
Charming historical features are scatted round the grounds, including the refurbished serpentine wall. This property also has two covered parking spaces within a courtyard of garages.
Besford is surrounded by the East Worcestershire countryside and is close to the town of Pershore.
A direct railway service links the town to Worcester, which is seven miles away, and Birmingham, which is 30.
VIEWING INFORMATION
AGENT: Halls
TEL: 01905 728 444
WEB: www.hallsgb.com
GUIDE PRICE: £725,000