A sprawling six-bedroom 17th century manor has hit the market for a remarkably low £150,000 because it needs ‘unprecedented’ levels of repair work.
Grade II listed, oak-timber framed manor house, Burghill Lodge, is nestled in the middle of Hereford’s idyllic countryside and presents a remarkable opportunity for prospective buyers.
The building was listed in 1952 and when resurveyed in 1986, was described as being in a ‘ruinous condition’ as only some sections of masonry and the timber frame remained.
More than 30 years after it was denounced as being in desperate need of some handy work, it then was listed on the market for £450,000.
However, the condition of the building has deteriorated so much in the near decade since that the property’s value has been slashed by a whopping two thirds – meaning it is available to buy for around the average price of a one-bedroom home in the UK.
It is believed to have been the manor for one of the largest dairy farms in Europe but it has not been lived in for more than 100 years.
However, the house was abandoned when the family who owned it built a larger 12-bedroom property nearby.
This project allowed Burghill Lodge to fall into disrepair and its condition has continued to worsen over time.
The Grade II listed building presents the opportunity for a prospective buyer to bring the property back to its former glory. Above (left) is the current state of Burghill Lodge side by side with how it would look after renovations (right)
The building is currently clad in scaffolding with consent in place for restoration works to begin
Inside the property shows the deterioration of the house with its masonry and timber frame in tatters
Now, it is being advertised as a ‘unique’ and ‘prized’ opportunity for those looking to undertake a significant restoration project.
Listing agent Glasshouse said planning consent was in place for work to commence to create a huge six-bedroom home in the diminutive village of Canon Pyon.
The property’s listing reads: ‘Burghill Lodge offers an unprecedented opportunity to undertake the restoration of the grand oak frame Manor House, creating an extraordinary family home of approx. 6000 sq. ft, with proposed six double bedrooms, four en-suites and orientated to overlook part-walled private gardens.
‘Currently, the house is a shell, with its stunning oak timber frame stripped back, treated and supported by a scaffolding cover – ready for year-round work to commence, with planning consent.
‘Enjoying a slightly elevated position, the Manor dominates its rural surroundings, set in the triple village parish of Burghill, Tillington and Canon Pyon; combining to offer local stores with post office, primary schools, golf club and gastropubs. While the full city amenities of Hereford are five miles or the market town of Leominster ten miles.’
The property presents a ‘unique’ and ‘prize’ opportunity for restoration enthusiasts – but may take a bit of work
The above image shows a fireplace in the middle of what would formerly have been a lounge area
Burghill Lodge is nestled in the middle of the sprawling Hereford countryside and is approximately 6000 sq. ft
The house is surrounded by greenery and is a stone’s throw away from the diminutive village of Canon Pyon
The building was listed in 1952 and when resurveyed in 1986, was described as being in a ‘ruinous condition’ – it has continued to deteriorate
A sketch of how the property could look post-renovation shows the incredible potential of the house
The garden area has been left abandoned and is in desperate need of TLC and fixing up
An overview of the property shows a tennis court to its side, with the house towering over the nearby trees
Burghill House hitting the market comes just days after another listed building, this time a spectacular Grade I, 175ft tall tower, was put on sale for £2.78million.
Hadlow Tower – or ‘May’s Folly’ as locals call it – is the tallest Gothic folly in the world and boasts four bedrooms over five floors.
The tower, which underwent a £4.2m restoration in 2013, is 6ft taller than Nelson’s Column and surrounded by private gardens, woodlands and even a picturesque lake.
It also boasts a parapet with stunning 360-degree views of quaint Hadlow village in Tonbridge, Kent.
Despite giving the appearance of having come straight from the pages of a fantasy novel, the historic tower has all the features of a modern family home.
Once part of a Romantic Gothic style 18th-century castle, the tower is accessed through a triple-arched entrance on the village high street.
The tower’s current owner explained that though he and his family had been privileged to live at Hadlow Tower for the past few years, his work was taking him abroad, meaning he’d have to part ways with the home.
Hadlow Tower – or ‘May’s Folly’ as locals call it – is the tallest Gothic folly in the world and boasts four bedrooms over five floors
The top floor includes a handy study area, whilst external access leads to the external castellated parapet
The first floor features an octagonal dining room, a unique arched recess and sculptured oak doors from the original castle
On the fourth floor, a final double bedroom boasts an octagonal dressing room with a walk-in wardrobe
He said: ‘My family and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time here, including the peaceful and tranquil environment. Although where we are is private and peaceful, Hadlow high street is at the end of the lane.
‘This charming village is in a Conservation area and includes many attractive period properties and a variety of shops, pubs, hairdresser, restaurant, church, library and a medical centre.
‘For the more energetic, there are cricket and bowls clubs as well as a good primary school and the renowned Hadlow College of Agriculture and Horticulture that includes the Broadview Gardens complex that has a tearoom and florist and where you can enjoy wandering around the grounds.
‘Other facilities are available in nearby Tonbridge, including excellent grammar and private schools, independent shops and high street stores, pubs, restaurants, a theatre and the station – where trains to London take around 30 to 40 minutes.
‘There is also the Tonbridge School leisure club, while for golfing enthusiasts there are numerous golf clubs and courses within a radius of nine miles around Hadlow, including the local Poult Wood Public Golf Centre.’
