Property description

Historical Note
The well-documented history of Landford Manor records its origins back to the 13th century.  Residents of The Manor include the Bishop of Salisbury and widow of the second Earl Nelson, nephew of Lord Nelson of Trafalgar. The Manor is believed to have been originated in 1611 and substantially altered during the reign of Queen Anne, notably by the re-facing of the front elevation in the prevailing taste.  Internal alterations still apparent were introduced at this time and yet succeeding occupiers carried out further extensions and alterations during the 18th and 19th centuries. 

In 1929 Sir Alfred Mond later raised to the peerage as Lord Melchet of Landford, sold The Manor to Sir Frederick Preston KBE.  He carried out further remodelling of the accommodation and grounds installing formal garden areas, a woodland walk, water garden, tennis courts and other features appropriate to an English country house. 

Introduction
Landford Manor offers exceptional homely accommodation of striking architectural detail approaching an impressive 8000sqft having undergone a comprehensive programme of restoration in 2003 in conjunction with English Heritage and the conservation office. Consequently, the inherent character and historic detail throughout the house has been meticulously retained and restored but carefully added into all of this history are 21^st century amenities. This magnificent residence stands within its beautifully landscaped south facing grounds of 1.412 acres and enjoys the additional benefit of communal grounds and tennis court extending to a further 3.503 acres.

Description
A central front door with eight fielded panels in a moulded architrave with gargoyle keystone over and cornice on consoles to either side opens into a fine welcoming reception hall, panelled to dado height and ornamental plaster panelling above.  The doors leading off have moulded pillared surrounds and an imposing oak staircase, part panelled, rises to the first floor.  There is a baronial full height panelled drawing room with dining and sitting areas.  It has a fine fireplace with a stone surround and carved mantelpiece over, there are wall light points, radiator grilles and a window seat in one bay.  The panelled dining room has an ornate carved frieze and door leading out to a loggia and the garden.  There is cloakroom and off the main hall, a door leads through to the kitchen/breakfast room, panelled, originally the library. It is superbly fitted with bespoke hand crafted units, which have polished granite work surfaces.  Appliances include four oven Aga set in a tiled recess and it has a micro-boiler which reduces oil consumption, dishwasher, induction hob and oven, microwave, further oven, refrigerator/freezer and a separate freezer.  There is an island unit, a kitchen table with matching granite top, eight chairs and there is also a matching coffee table.  There are three window seats, two fitted with shutters.  Off the kitchen is a panelled study/sitting room / playroom which has a wood burning stove, wall light points, two window seats and a trapdoor to the cellar which is also accessed by an exterior door.  The cellars are arranged as three rooms and a wine cellar with original bins and one-area houses twin oil-fired boilers.

A magnificent staircase rises up to a long landing which has decorative panelling and cornicing.  The bedroom to the principal suite is panelled to dado height, marble fireplace surround and two corner built-in wardrobe cupboards and fine views down the garden and over the ornamental pond and bird bath.   Its adjoining bathroom is panelled, has window shutters, a fireplace and Victorian grate, contemporary style rolltop bateau bath, basin set in a pine dresser with marble top, w.c., bidet, steam shower, two heated towel rails and airing cupboard with hot water tank fitted with immersion heater.  The first guest bedroom is panelled to dado height, a window seat and shutters, its adjoining bathroom is panelled, again has a window seat and shutters and is fitted with a panelled bath, basin, heated towel rail and w.c.  The second guest bedroom suite is panelled, has a fireplace surround, window seats, shutters and cornicing and the third bathroom is part panelled to dado height, has a fireplace, bath, basin, heated towel rail and w.c.  Off the landing there is a laundry room with fitted units, housemaid's cupboard. Further on is a general walk-in storeroom.

A door from the main landing leads through to an inner landing, panelled, which has a storage cupboard, which also houses the second hot water tank fitted with it's own immersion heater, a 2nd airing cupboard and a turned oak staircase rises up to a very fine second floor self-contained accommodation containing additional bedrooms and / or sitting rooms.  The landing is vaulted, there are exposed timbers, various storage cupboards and a door out to the roof. Underfloor heating has been installed for this floor.

Bedroom suite four, vaulted with beautiful exposed timbers, there is a bedroom, shower room, heated towel rail, basin and w.c. and sitting room.  Bedroom five is vaulted and has a sitting area.  Bathroom Four, tiled floor and part tiled walls, raised bath, basin and w.c.,  heated towel rail and a walk-in airing cupboard.   The vaulted kitchen/dining room has oak fronted units, sink, ceramic hob, part tiled walls and downlighters and a door leads through to bedrooms six and seven and one has an adjoining shower room.

Outside
Landford Manor is entered through tall brick pillars with curved walls to either side.  The driveway is shared and a private tarmacadam driveway sweeps off to the northern front providing ample parking.   The drive is encompassed by lawn and there is a pretty circular flowerbed.   The base of the house has shrub borders, and the western side is walled, planted with yew trees, and beyond is the village church.  The lawn continues round the western end of the house to the principal garden, which faces south.  There are three main terraces.  The centre terrace has part of the original formal garden with a central ornamental pond enclosed by hedging and a brick wall and stone enclosed paved beds.  On the western side is the main pleasure lawn with a fine array of broadleaf trees mainly Copper Beach, and on the lower terrace there is walkway tunnel through a dense bank of rhododendrons.   Below the private gardens are the communal grounds that are studded with some very fine varieties of trees and they lead down to the River Blackwater. There is a hard surfaced communal tennis court.   

The private gardens extend to about 1.412 acres (0.571 ha) and the communal grounds, a further 3.503 acres (1.418 ha).

Location
The village of Landford lies on the county boundary in the Blackwater valley on the northern edge of the New Forest to the west of Romsey and the Test Valley just off the A36 between Ower (Junction 2, M27) and Salisbury.  It has a primary school and three churches.  The village has a number of amenities including a post office/store, garage, hairdresser; family butchers; newsagent/store, primary school, two churches and village hall.  The Manor House is well placed for mainline communications with access on to the M27 just to the southeast, Southampton and Bournemouth International Airports, Parkway Station for London Waterloo and the sea ports of Southampton, Portsmouth and Poole. Major shopping centres within easy driving distance include Romsey, Salisbury, Southampton and Winchester but a major feature of the area is the easy access out into the New forest that provides exceptional riding and walking.

Agents Notes
The property is served by mains drainage and oil fired central heating.

Directions
M3/M27 westbound, exit at Junction 2 and follow the signposts A36 to Salisbury.  Drive through Wellow and Plaitford and in Landford turn right into Stock Lane, which is just past the Golden Acres Garden Centre on the left hand side.  Pass St Andrews Church on the right and the next entrance on the right leads into Landford Manor.  Its private drive is the first on the right.

Leave Salisbury on the A36 towards Southampton, after 8 ½ miles the turning opposite The Royal Jaipu Indian restaurant is Stock Lane turn left into Stock Lane Pass St Andrews Church on the right and the next entrance on the right leads into Landford Manor.  Its private drive is the first on the right.

Property Features :

• Stunning Grade II* listed Manor House
• Beautifully restored and refurbished by the current owners
• Magnificent drawing room
• Impressive cellars
• Three principal bedroom suites with second floor self contained floor or four further bedrooms (two