Location

Dutton Manor is located in a rural position whilst still retaining excellent road links within a short distance. Surrounded by open fields and countryside views, the property is situated close (3miles) to Ribchester, which is home to three churches, the Roman museum, a good primary school, three pubs, two cafes, a local shop with Post office and other eateries and shops. Clitheroe is the nearest busy market town and also home to Clitheroe Castle. Good local secondary schools are found in Longridge, Clitheroe, Preston and Blackburn, and lying just 2 miles away is Stonyhurst college, in the picturesque village of Hurst Green. To the north lies the pretty village of Chipping, on the edge of the Forest of Bowland, itself home to many villages with a host of country pubs and hotels.
There is easy road access to the M6, M61, M65 and M66 motorways, and also public transport links to local villages, nearby towns (Preston, Blackburn, Clitheroe, Garstang) and further afield (Lancaster, Manchester, Liverpool).

There are golf courses at Longridge (18 holes), Whalley (9 holes), Clitheroe (18 holes), and Stonyhurst (9 holes), while the immediate area offers some of the best countryside walks and cycling roads in the UK right on the doorstep. Alternatively, Gisburn Forest has specially designed mountain bike paths suitable for riders of all skill levels. The Ribble Valley is a great place to run, with lots of trails and peaceful road options. There are also nearby bridlepaths for the keen horse-rider.
The important archaeological discoveries from Ribchester's rich Roman past are on show in Ribchester village's museum. Local eateries include the village's three pubs, Potters Barn and Stydd Gardens. Slightly further afield, the Woodland Spa at Crow Wood and Stanley House Hotel and Spa both offer relaxation and a luxurious environment for an overnight stay.

Description

Dutton Manor is a large Victorian house built for the Fenton family as their shooting lodge within the wider Dutton estate which they had acquired in 1831. In 1872 the property, as it appears today, was constructed by Isaac Taylor. The Grade II listed former shooting lodge is both striking in stature but also sits comfortably in its surroundings, in this case beautiful, wooded slopes overlooking the fells. The manor house passed across to the present family in 1919 until the 1940s when it was transferred to a Catholic order of nuns who occupied it as 'Mount Carmel' for a number of years. During this time it also operated as a convent school for a period. In the 1960s the house became a seminary for South African Missionaries; the chapel has not been deconsecrated. In 1972 the family acquired the property once again and it has remained in their ownership ever since, making this sale the first time the property has come to the market in over 50 years, making this a once in a lifetime opportunity.
The house is incredibly versatile in its layout with some wonderfully generous reception rooms and a total of 15 bedrooms over the two upper levels with seven on the first floor and a further eight on the second floor. Several of the bedrooms host carved wooden (Grinling Gibbons-style), or marble fireplaces (in Adams-style). Marble wash basins are present in three bathrooms and one of the bedrooms.
Throughout the house there are many original features that have been perfectly preserved. Upon entering the impressive reception hall there is stunning wood panelling on display; an elegant oak staircase, a glorious marble fireplace at one end and a further fireplace on the opposite wall with elaborate Grinling Gibbons-style carved wooden surround and mantel. The original stone mullion windows are seen throughout the property and are a striking reminder of the property's rich heritage. The dining room, on the eastern side at the front, has raised and fielded panelling, and stone corbels carved to represent game.
The floorings throughout are a mixture of hardwood including chequered oak patterns and parquet finishes showcasing the exquisite attention to detail from when the property was first built. During its institutionalisation in the 1950s and 1960s, the bedroom and kitchen floors were tiled.
The layout of the property is such that within the main dwelling there could be a self-contained apartment if one uses the fabulous spiral staircase within the round tower, which provides access at first floor level to what was once the chapel, with a bedroom situated neatly off. The chapel could be adapted to become a magnificent first floor reception room, maximizing the use and enjoyment of arguably one of the grandest rooms in the property.
The spiral staircase within the tower continues all the way up to a third floor tower room which naturally has incredible views as well as a distinct air of historic charm and mystery.
As a family home, the property is now in need of some upgrading, with the kitchens and bathrooms requiring attention, and various areas of decoration that have lasted well over time, are now in need of refreshing.

Gardens And Grounds
On entering the property from Clitheroe Road the half-mile long driveway leads through mature woodlands which in turn are dissected by the beautiful Duddel Brook. The grounds extend to about 50 acres in all and are mostly formed of broadleaf amenity woodland. Immediately in front of the manor house is an area of parking with stone steps that lead down to a plateau of well-manicured lawns, most likely once the tennis court or croquet lawn to the estate. Surrounding the lawns are a mixture of herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees including colourful, specimen Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias and Pieris and Cornus cultivars, specifically a beautiful Japonica Rosalind and other specimen trees which are testament to a well-loved historic garden. The stone wall around the original kitchen garden (later a pinetum), also embraces a grade 2 listed stone gateway with historic inscription.

Outbuildings & Lodges
Within the grounds are a number of additional residential properties that form part of the Dutton Manor curtilage.

On entering the driveway immediately on the right hand side there is a stone built Lodge.

The Lodge
This property has two bedrooms and two reception rooms and could form a superb holiday rental, or staff accommodation.
This property is serviced by private drainage to a sole septic tank. LPG Gas, mains electricity.
The property is currently let on an AST but vacant possession will be provided.

Situated closer to the principal property are two further units.

The Bothy
The Bothy is a standalone property, just one room deep with a reception room on the lower level with a small kitchenette, and a single bedroom above, served by a bathroom.
Shared septic tank with the manor house. Mains electricity and private water supply from neighbouring reservoir.

The Coach House
The Coach House is the former housing for horses and carriages, with chauffeur's accommodation. The area today is formed by a spacious garage block with a glass roof, concrete floors, and adjoining this is a lovely partially upgraded residential unit. The ground floor comprises two reception rooms with a kitchen (the original tack-room) beyond, and wooden staircase leading to three further bedrooms at first floor level and a further reception room (with Juliet balcony), all served by a bathroom and also a shower room. This reception room could be used as a further bedroom and perhaps one of the smaller bedrooms converted to create en-suite facilities (subject to acquiring the necessary consents). The front bedroom includes an en-suite WC and access to the woodlands across a small footbridge.


Outbuildings and stores
There are a number of sheds, workshops and outbuildings used for storing equipment, log stores and coal bunkers. These are exhibited on the floorplans and extend to 1850 sq ft in external units as well as three cellar units within the main property.