Two Grade-II dream homes: one with world-class equine facilities
Burnham Westgate Hall, Norkfolk
It’s not every day you describe a potential home as “important” – well, this building is just that: a Grade II* listed Georgian country house by the famous Sir John Soane, set in over 30 acres of beautiful Norkfolk parkland, on the edge of Burnham Market town. Architectural features include a cantilevered staircase from 1783 as well as John de Carle’s fireplace, a important piece for which sketches were found in Soane’s notebooks. It is to be found in the first floor saloon.
Elsewhere in the house are six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, two dressing rooms on the first floor, seven further bedrooms and five further bathrooms on the second floor. An artist’s studio is a glorious touch, and there’s a coach house and stables, extensive staff flats and significant formal gardens and grounds.
In 1991 the house, which had been in institutional use for nearly 60 years, was acquired by the current owners and a programme of restoration and refurbishment was begun to restore it to its original use. Much work was undertaken including upgrading the plumbing and wiring, extensive redecoration and the installation of numerous bathrooms. Of particular note is the extensive planting and creation of the formal gardens around the house over the last 20 years. £6.5m through Knight Frank.
Stetchworth Park house, Newmarket
Stetchworth village, in keeping with the Newmarket area, has a long, strong and noble connection with horse-racing. Integral to Stetchworth Park, a GrademII listed mansion, is its own connection with horses and it has Olympic-standard riding facilities.
There were two homes on the property before the current house, but in 1786 Richard Eaton bought the land and built the current house, which stayed in the Eaton family until Sir Roger Palmer bought it in 1876. Francis Egerton, 3rd Earl of Ellesmere, was the founder of the Stetchworth Park Stud and owned big winners himself.
This is the ideal home for racing and bloodstock lovers: the Park includes a stud yard with 24 boxes and two staff flats, competition yard with 22 boxes and three staff flats, and an indoor area with a boardroom, three studio apartments and a common room. There’s also an outdoor area, showjumping grass arena, comprehensive equestrian facilities including solarium and horse walkers, as well as a four furlong all-weather round canter.
The house itself is 12,383 sq ft. A notable feature is the garden room at the western end of the house, with windows and French doors to three sides giving perfect views of the gardens and parkland.
There are extensive staff houses, too, including one for the gardener. £11m through Savills.