Property description

Arguably, one of Shropshire’s finest listed homes. What was originally a home for ‘women and girls of reduced circumstance ’ built in 1716 following a bequest by Lady Katherine Herbert, daughter of the Earl of Bradford (today’s Earl is still owner of the Western Park estate) was converted to an exacting specification in 2004 into exclusive apartments and houses. Supported by the most delightful church (St. Lawrence’s), and the dearest of primary schools, the picturesque village of Preston upon the Weald Moors, one of a cluster of similarly ‘chocolate box’ pretty hamlets and villages, is unbelievably less than 10 minutes drive to Telford and, with easy access via the A5 and M54 to major conurbations and is well placed for commuting in all directions.

The layout of the overall building has been likened to an Oxford College and in the multi-aspect nature of the design, lent itself particularly well to splitting up into separate dwellings, with each part feeling very much an entity in its own right. This property, the largest one and home to the Great Hall (in its hey day, according to archives, the social centre piece of the house), certainly has its own particular identity and, whilst benefitting from belonging to a community and the fabulous shared grounds, it is entirely uncompromised in its own distinction ; its gorgeous garden with fruit trees, vegetable patch and countryside views to the horizon, is very much for personal enjoyment and not at all overlooked. Leaning on the old estate wall from the decking immediately behind the property whilst gazing across the immaculate private lawns and over endless fields which unfold, unspoilt, as far as the eye can see, perhaps sipping from a glass of something reassuring, the sense of openness and complete peace is overwhelming.

The whole building is of dwarfing proportions and with its formal, symmetrical layout, elegant colonnades, stone mullioned windows and other stone decorative enrichments, is visible for miles around. Both front and rear façades of the property are equally impressive but possibly the front, the most striking: the view through the colossal front gates embellished with the Bradford coat of arms, across the fore gardens and up the majestic driveway to the front elevation itself, displaying its huge oak front door with Georgian fanlight in grandiose stone portico and towering arched windows, and adorned with its own flag-pole and wonderful clock tower, is simply jaw dropping. It certainly would make the most glorious backdrop for a wedding. Even a royal one.

The current owners, in occupation since the conversion of the 21 properties, have created a fabulous home with beautiful, contemporary appointments and additions, all complying with the listing regulations of course; luxurious whilst being the epitome of good taste. Involved in the finished design from the very beginning, the present owners have ensured that the property meets their own desired specification and the resultant style is effortlessly state of the art. One might even say, inspired. Muted chalky paint finishes and sisal carpets complement the outstanding original oak panelling and doors as well as the contemporary mellow oak of the kitchen and the rear staircase. As with the russet brick and the sombre stone of the exterior, the inside effectively offsets the old stone flags, a superb matt charcoal Corian kitchen work surface and the cool, etched glass in the one bedroom, with rich terracotta quarry tiles and the welcoming ambience of both the tawny and honey coloured oak. The use of similar but varying subtle shades for the glass mosaic tiling in the several bathrooms adds a pleasing twist and demonstrates the unquestionable flair quietly in evidence here. Ceiling spotlights give the rooms a fresh, clean perspective.