The Old Hall in Rutland: Luxury Living
Explore the exquisite Old Hall in Manton, a stunning luxury home showcasing elegant grounds and rich history in Rutland, currently on the market with Fine & Country
In the mid-19th century, Darwin was articulating his theories of evolution in his most famous work, On the Origin of Species. Meanwhile, in Rutland The Heathcote family were evolving one of their most venerable properties, The Old Hall, in Manton. Jacobean in origin, and dating back to 1688, they added a Georgian-style frontage to the property, significantly increasing its size for its future owners.
After Sir Gilbert Heathcote’s family moved out, the house passed into the ownership of some eclectic figures, including Caroline Beresford, the eccentric Duchess of Montrose, who circumvented rules on women breeding racehorses for Newmarket by operating under the pseudonym Mr Manton. Later, the house would come under the ownership of Lt Col Cyril Heber Percy, author and former Master of the Cottesmore Hunt.
For the part 20 years though, The Old Hall has been home to Martin and Glynis Panter, who have also helped to evolve the property, happily in keeping with its architecture and setting. Martin is originally from Lincolnshire, and ran a successful business in the horticulture industry, which is why the property’s 0.75 acres look so well-designed and neatly tended… right?
Absolutely not. In fact, Martin says he has a profuse dislike for gardening and is happy to leave the labour and the glory to Glynis, who he says is responsible for its different levels, planting schemes, pretty climbers and pergolas, as well as the property’s productive vegetable garden.
The grounds look absolutely lovely, and the interiors of the property don’t disappoint either, with three storeys, a wealth of reception rooms, five bedrooms and a total of 7,921 sq ft of living space.
The couple came to the property 20 years ago and embarked on a good deal of practical work from the rewiring and replumbing of the property to some of the more enjoyable jobs such as decoration and extending the house, including adding an Amdega conservatory and adding living space to the recently-built outbuildings which now incorporate changing facilities for the adjacent swimming pool and a sauna too.
The pretty Georgian-style frontage leads to a large entrance hall with two formal reception rooms, a dining room and drawing room in the south and north wings of the property respectively. Among the highlights of the property’s reception rooms are open fireplaces and the mahogany panelling in the dining room, created by members of the Guild of Master Carvers for the property.
A little further back there’s a snug leading to the kitchen designed by Clive Christian and created by a local cabinet maker.
The couple’s new orangery united the kitchen with the west wing of the house, creating an adjoining study, as well as the print room which contains a number of pieces by Frank William Brangwyn, the Welsh illustrator and printmaker.
The first floor of the west wing provides additional office space and a gym too whilst the principal bedroom suites are located at the front of the house. There are up to 10 double bedrooms including five on the first floor, with two en suite bathrooms.
The second floor, meanwhile, is currently used as storage, but it has the potential to provide five more bedrooms. As well as decent living space, storage space isn’t neglected either with two generous cellars, pantry and a large utility room between the orangery and the games room.
Outside too there’s room to entertain. An iron gate opens into a charming brick-paved garden in dappled shade with an octagonal summerhouse at the sunny, gravelled far end.
Steps lead down into the garden room where more French doors opposite open into the main part of the garden. Here, a large lawn bearing some magnificent mature trees stretches down to the pool area where a lovely oval gazebo provides shade in this particularly sunny corner and an olive tree are striking features.
The couple’s family are now grown up and pursuing their own careers in the UK or overseas. Keen to downsize, Martin and Glynis have put the property on the market with Fine & Country but say they’re keen to remain in the area, preferably in the village itself.
“Manton is really lovely, it’s such a peaceful place with the usual church, community hall and local pub – The Horse & Jockey – all giving it the feel of a traditional English village.”
“We’ll miss the place enormously but we’re also really keen that new owners, perhaps a family, get to enjoy all of the space and appreciate the property as we have for the past 20 years!”The Old Hall, Manton is on the market with Fine & Country of Rutland, call 01572 335 145 or see www.fineandcountry.co.uk. To see more images of the property, read our December edition at https://www.pridemagazines.co.uk/stamford/view-magazines?magazine=December-2024