Pontrilas, Herefordshire
Property Features
- Magnificent exterior with impressive entrance door
- Many superb period features and much character
- Stunning Great Hall with ornate ceiling and fireplace. Beautiful Drawing Room and Dining Room
- Main kitchen/breakfast room with doors to terrace. Further ground floor rooms include a library/games room
- Impressive first floor landing with views across the gardens
- 6 bedrooms, 6 bath/shower rooms
- Second floor offices/suite with exposed A frames
- Attached 3 bedroom cottage. Former Coach house with garaging and apartment over
- Leisure area with tennis court, swimming pool and spectacular pool house
- Mature gardens and grounds with delightful walled garden. Fishing rights. Set in circa 12 acres
Property Summary
Pontrilas was for many generations the seat of the branch of the renowned Herefordshire family, Baskerville of Eardisley. The Court is believed to have been built between 1630 and 1640 for Walter Baskerville, though the first Baskerville known to have lived at Pontrilas was Thomas Baskerville who died in 1551. When King James I visited Hereford, a Baskerville rode to meet him escorted by 23 sons of his ‘own getting’, well-mounted and well-armed. Despite their remarkable early fertility, the male line of the Baskervilles from Pontrilas seemed to have died out by the end of the 17th century.Pontrilas then came into the possession of Sir Philip Jackson, a merchant who died about 1734, in the latter part of the century Pontrilas passed to Henry Shiffner. In 1840 the house was owned by Colonel John Scudamore from Kentchurch Court whose family sold the house a century later. For many years George Bentham, the Botanist (1800-1844), a vital force in the creation of Kew Gardens, lived at Pontrilas and it was thought that he was responsible for planting many of the specimen trees on the property and the surrounding area.
The current owners have continued the improvements commenced by their predecessors. For a full history and other interesting facts, please visit www. pontrilascourt. com
Full Details
Step inside
Pontrilas Court has been the site of an important manor house for much of the last millennium, the present house dates from the mid- 17th century with later additions during the 18th and 19th centuries. Over the past fifteen years the house has been extensively refurbished and updated so the great reception rooms, with their original grandeur, are matched by a glorious kitchen, splendid bathrooms, state of the art sound, vision and wi-fi systems. This handsome, Grade II* Listed house is built largely of sandstone beneath a tiled roof with some fine examples of Jacobean chimneys dripstones and a number of stone mullioned windows.
Internally there are magnificent reception rooms dominated by an immense great hall with carved and moulded ceilings, painted panelling and a large stone fireplace with carved mantle and surrounds.
...
The drawing room has continuation of the ceiling, an impressive fireplace and large bay window overlooking the gardens, whilst the dining room has further panelling and a stone fireplace.
A staircase leads from the rear of the drawing room to the principal bedroom suite which offers privacy and convenience. The bespoke kitchen is cleverly designed with the cooking and preparation area to one side opening into delightful breakfast area with a range of hand made cupboards. Extensive windows both flood the kitchen with light and afford views over the lawns, doors open onto the terrace with access to the leisure/party room a few steps away. To complete the ground floor accommodation is a second catering kitchen/utility room and cloakroom.
Whilst a grand and historic house, Pontrilas Court is very much a family home with all rooms connecting and flowing to meet the needs of both day to day living and entertaining with ample room for guests or extended family. In addition to the house, there is an attached three bedroomed cottage and a one bedroom apartment ideal for extended family/guests or for a gardener/housekeeper, or the opportunity to derive ancillary income.
First Floor
A wonderful staircase leads up to a wide landing with doors off to the main bedrooms and bathrooms. To the first floor are five main bedrooms plus an interconnecting bedroom/dressing room, some with en-suite bath and shower rooms. The elegant principal suite is entered through double doors from the landing and comprises a large bedroom with south facing bay window with space to position chairs to enjoy views across the gardens whilst enjoying a morning coffee, dressing room with corner bath and an additional shower room.
Second Floor Attic Rooms
The second floor attics have magnificent exposed timbers, plentiful storage, and are suitable for many uses including an office suite, teenager’s den, playroom or occasional bedrooms. There is a bathroom and small kitchen area on this floor too plus useful storage cupboards.
Gardens and Grounds
The mature gardens are laid out to complement the house, with level lawns, wide flagstone terraces and ancient trees, yew hedges and gravelled paths. To the rear are views across rolling farmland and to the south is an arboretum with a host of mature trees and shrubs and an immense number of daffodils, crocuses and wild flowers creating a riot of colour in the spring. The pretty walled garden to the side of the house incorporates the well stocked kitchen and herb gardens, formal low level box hedging and vegetable beds and a substantial greenhouse. The swimming pool, hot tub and tennis court lie beyond and are served by an exceptional, modern pool house ideal for entertaining. On the southern flank beyond the paddock is the River Dore with wooded banks to either side, over which the property has 1,000 yards of fishing rights. On the far bank is an extensive area of woodland, whilst a further paddock, reached over stepping stones, lies to the west of the river.
Attached Three Bedroomed Cottage
Attached to the main house is a separate cottage with ground floor kitchen, sitting room and bathroom and three bedrooms on the first floor.
Coach House
A stone built, substantial building accessed from a second driveway to the west of the house. The courtyard has ample parking, access to a stone storage/gardeners’ shed and to the former Coach House serving the main house. An impressive building with the original stables and substantial garaging. To the side of the Coach House is a staircase leading to a spacious modern apartment with bedroom, kitchen/ breakfast room and sitting room.
Double wrought iron gates open into a private courtyard which provides access to the cottage, side of the main house and to the leisure/games room. The Dovecote, which has been refurbished by the present owners, is located within the courtyard.
Leisure / Games Room
Approached from the terrace is the stunning party/games room with a bar, separate party room and cloakroom. This leisure suite is perfect for entertaining, relaxing or watching sport on a wide screen television.
Pool House
The swimming pool, hot tub and tennis court lie beyond and are served by an exceptional, modern pool house ideal for entertaining. On the southern flank beyond the paddock is the River Dore with wooded banks to either side, over which the property has 1,000 yards of fishing rights. On the far bank is an extensive area of woodland, whilst a further paddock, reached over stepping stones, lies to the west of the river.
Cellar Rooms
The cellars, with flagstone floors and wine racks, are located to the side of the house with external access. The oil fired central heating boiler is fitted in the cellar.
Location
Pontrilas Court is situated on the border of England and Wales amidst some of the finest countryside. Hereford has all the expected shops and services of an important county town, whilst the market towns of Abergavenny and Monmouth are equally popular. Closer by are more general facilities in Pontrilas itself and nearby Ewyas Harold and Grosmont.. There are a number of public and state schools at primary and senior level within an accessible distance, many with superb sporting facilities, including rowing clubs at both Monmouth and Hereford.
The house is within a short distance of excellent A roads linking to the M4/M5 and M50 motorway networks. Abergavenny has a rail station with a direct link to Newport and the intercity rail network and Hereford railway station is well placed for commuting to Birmingham and the midlands. This area of the Marches is known for some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.
...
Recreational opportunities abound and include golf courses at Abergavenny, The Hendre (Rolls of Monmouth), and Belmont (Hereford); the rivers Wye and Monnow flow nearby; the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons National Park are within a short drive and there are glorious walks and rides through the surrounding countryside.
Services
Mains electricity and water (additional private supply). Private drainage. Oil fired central heating. LPG for two fires. Comprehensive security systems.
Tenure
Freehold.
Council Tax
Band - G
Please note that the Council Tax banding was correct as at date property listed. All buyers should make their own enquiries.
Fixtures & Fittings
Unless specifically described in these particulars, all fixtures and fittings are excluded from the sale though may be available by separate negotiation.
Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
All measurements are approximate and quoted in imperial with metric equivalents and are for general guidance only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure to accuracy, these sales particulars must not be relied upon. Please note Parrys have not tested any apparatus, equipment, fixtures and fittings or services and, therefore, no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. Contact the numbers listed on the brochure.
Wayleaves, Easements and Rights of Way
The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all rights, including rights of way, easements and proposed wayleaves. Please check with the Highways Department at the local County Council for the exact location of public footpaths/bridleways.