Location

Norton Manor is approached via a long, shared driveway through parklands which opens into a private, gated, gravel area with ample parking. There is a sunken lawn area to the side of the house which has stone steps to each side with fabulous views over the Radnorshire Hills. The gravel driveway continues around to the back of the house where there is a further lawn area and other outbuildings. To the front of the house is hard standing for four lodges with two already in place, ideal for holiday letting, further conversion to more lodges/stables.

The local settlement, Norton, is a village in Powys within the historic boundaries of Radnorshire, Wales. In 1086, Norton was recorded as a settlement within the hundred of Leintwardine and in the county of Shropshire in the Domesday Book. Norton itself is only two miles north of the nearest town, Presteigne.

Presteigne was once the county town of Radnorshire and nestles at the heart of the Mid Wales Marches on the border of Wales and England. Surrounded by extremely beautiful, unspoilt countryside, this thriving border town has many unique qualities that make it both a perfect destination and a base from which to explore with access to Offas Dyke and the Shropshire Hills, Brecon Beacons and the Radnorshire Hills.

Set alongside the river Lugg, at the corner of the three counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire and Powys, it is within a short drive from Hay on Wye (19 miles), Hereford (23 miles), Ludlow (18 miles) and Shrewsbury (39 miles). Approximately an hour and a half drive from Birmingham (57 miles) and the beautiful coastline of West Wales, the area is well placed for exploring, visiting and commuting.

Situated approximately two miles from Presteigne which has a number of high street shops, pubs and restaurants.

Knighton approximately four miles away has a train station with four trains running daily in each direction, northbound to Shrewsbury and southbound to Swansea.

Presteigne and Knighton have primary and secondary schools. Well renowned schools in the private sector include Bedstone School, Bucknell, Lucton School, Herefordshire and Moor Park, Ludlow.

Description

Norton Manor house has a wonderfully impressive full-height reception hall with beautiful archways and oak flooring. The grand decorative staircase with marble embossed pillars and panelling gives a feeling of elegance and grandeur. The main hallway provides access to the formal reception rooms.

The drawing room is double aspect with a multifuel stove and a solid blue minky granite bar which was left from the days when the house was a successful hotel. A door leads through to an imposing grand dining room with a working fireplace and views over the garden.

The combined kitchen, living and dining room is a fabulous space and which is a focal point for the current owners. The kitchen is fitted with a substantial number of units and a wheeled central island. There are granite worktops, two integrated dishwashers a double Range oven and a double sink. Originally the ballroom and main restaurant for the hotel, this room has some superb features including a beautiful decorative gold panelled/painted ceiling, detailed wall panelling, ornate plasterwork and decorative coving. This spacious living area also has a multifuel stove, and double doors leading outside to the rear courtyard where the owners have a vast outside ‘sail shade’ area for outside dining. The adjacent rear lawn ideally lends itself to an outdoor pool/clubroom.

Back into the entrance hall there is a cloakroom and a separate boot along with a larder/utility room with two dog washing sinks and two double fridge freezers. The splendid staircase is thought to be of Italian design with gold leaf spindle which splits to the right and left to a galleried landing with three stain glass roof lights welcoming in plenty of natural light. There are seven double bedrooms in this part of the house, with the opportunity for additional bedrooms in an, as yet, undeveloped attic. The existing bedrooms each have ensuite bathrooms so B&B accommodation could be another opportunity for an entrepreneurial owner.

Business Potential

The second wing of the house has eight bedrooms, with the potential for easily adding a further two bedrooms in the loft, presently a games room and a dining room. It may be accessed directly from the right of the grand staircase in the main wing or directly from outside. Market data suggests that accommodation of this size commanding in excess of £1,000 night and being in short supply.

The current owners have therefore set this part of the house up as holiday accommodation to function independently alongside the other wings of the house. It includes a fantastic outdoor kitchen with BBQ, double pizza ovens and two ‘meat smokers’ along with undercover dining and an open courtyard for further dining. The entrance hall has beautiful flag stone flooring which leads into a magnificent modern kitchen and dining room which has fossil sandstone floor. There is a multifuel stove, integrated dishwasher, granite worktops an electric double range oven, two separate larders and a double sink. On the ground floor is a panelled bedroom with en suite shower and a snug area along with two cloakrooms each with cubicles and sinks.

On the first floor is a landing with four double bedrooms all with en suites and a laundry room. A further staircase leads to the second floor with a bathroom, two/three double bedrooms and a separate games room. Correspondingly the main house and its grandeur ideally lends itself to corporate retreats and or wedding functions and previously ran as a hotel frequently held such type events throughout the year.

The third wing of the house has been rebuilt and lovingly restored by the current owners and all that remains is to complete the internal fit-out to the new owner specifications. There are two floors and a loft space with its’ own entrance hallway separate from the other parts of the house. All works received listed building consent and have been certified as complete by building control. Planning permission provides for the creation of five bedrooms and two bathrooms with the main house biomass heating system supplying energy to heat this wing.

Architecture and history of the house

Norton Manor House is a large Jacobethan style house dating from 1858. It was formerly the home of a local politician, Sir Richard Green-Price. In 1863 he represented Radnor, a seat he held until 1869, later representing Radnorshire between 1880 and 1885. In 1874 he was created a Baronet of Norton Manor and in 1876 served as High Sheriff of Radnorshire. Green-Price died in 1887, aged 83 and is commemorated by a Grade II listed red granite obelisk near Norton.

Norton Manor is built with Ashlar Stone and has a symmetrical entrance facing north-east with an advanced centre and gabled bays. The accommodation is over two floors plus extensive cellars and attic spaces. The house has slate roofs, tall chimneys with diagonal stems (some removed), gable parapets with finials. The windows have wide, rectangular drip moulds, mullions and transoms with small pane glazing. There is a centre doorway with a four centred arch under a hood mould. There is a lower L-shaped range to the right and a tall 3 storey rear block with elaborate Tudor chimneys and finials. There is a high hipped roof to the centre of the house over a colossal and impressive top-lit stairwell.

All of the windows throughout the house are sash with secondary glazing, with most having original shutters. The house is fitted with a modern Bio-Mass system with two P4 Froling Pellet Boilers, which may be controlled via phone or tablet and are situated in the cellar.

Directions

Norton Manor, Norton, Presteigne LD8 2EG

What3words: treaty.squares.points