Now you can be your own Lord Grantham
YES, “DOWNTON Abbey” has ended, and unless Julian Fellowes has one last trick up his sleeve, all that remains are memories and DVD box sets. But for anyone seeking to live out his or her fantasies of being a Crawley, all hope is not lost.
Gothic Victorian architecture, the style of Highclere Castle, is a hot commodity on the property market. Mostly built between 1840 and 1900 after the Industrial Revolution’s heyday, these houses favour red brick and medieval touches, as well as leaded glass and oriel windows.
Buyers heading south might look to Mayfield Grange in East Sussex, a scheme from Weston Homes. The 20 acre country estate sits on the former Mayfield College site, dating from 1868. Its 16 three, four and five bedroom houses and 39 new-build apartments start from £325,000.
The conversion has kept its dramatic staircase, intricately painted, arched stained glass windows and high-ceilings. It was built by Edward Welby Pugin, son of Neo-Gothic architect Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, in 1865 for the Duchess of Leeds. The building was originally an orphanage under the Xavierian Brothers.
Since then, new-build homes St Anthony’s House and St James’ House have been designed according to Mayfield’s Gothic Victorian origins.
In Norwich, Jacobean and Gothic architecture comes alive in the six bedroom Eastfield House. The Grade II listed building sits on 7.4 acres of land and features red brick and cast stone architecture with a tiled roof. Its high ceilings, cornices and double aspect sash windows are still in place.
The sitting and dining rooms keep their ornate fireplaces, while the front of the house has two large west-facing oriel windows. In the kitchen is a four oven gas-fired AGA, while the ground floor has a sun room and conservatory. The house is priced at £950,000 and is managed by Strutt & Parker.
In Nottinghamshire, Beauvale House carries its own illustrious history. The Grade II listed structure was designed by E.W. Godwin in 1873 for the 7th Earl Cowper, and legend says the house was the setting for D.H. Lawrence’s Lady Chatterley’s Lover.
The six bedroom house has undergone recent restorations to maintain features like fireplaces with original tiles, an antique pine kitchen, leaded windows and high ceilings, not to mention its five reception rooms. Outside, the true showstoppers are the observation tower and gardens, especially the semi-circular fountain at the back of the property. Managed by Savills in Nottingham, Beauvale House is priced at £895,000.
Victorian style took some turns in the mid-19th century. Roman, Parisian and Queen Anne styles took attention from Gothic influences. Today, the medieval look can still be found but do not expect Mr Carson to answer the door.
MAYFIELD GRANGE
Price: £325,000 for an apartment
Uninhabited for many years, the property has recently been restored and refurbished and now houses 39 spacious apartments and 16 houses.
Contact Weston Homes on www.weston-homes.com or 01279 873 333.
BEAUVALE HOUSE
Price: £895,000
This period home has spectacular views of the countryside and excellent road links to Nottingham centre.
Contact Savills on www.savills.com or 0115 934 8000.
EASTFIELD HOUSE
Price: £950,000
This 6 bedroom, 2 bathroom Victorian house comes with a swimming pool and sits on 7.4 acres of land.
Contact Strutt & Parker on www.struttandparker.com or 01603 617 431.