Kingstone Lisle has one of the finest Georgian houses in Oxfordshire, in a beautiful wooded estate which offers excellent sporting opportunities
Kingstone Lisle is an exceptional Grade II* listed country house at the heart of a wonderful Oxfordshire estate which offers some very good shooting. There has been a house on this site since Medieval times; while a 12th Century castle lay to the north of the present house until it burned down in 1610. The present house dates from 1677, when the central block was built, while the wings were added in 1812 and later additions followed.
The current owner’s family have lived at Kingstone Lisle Park since 1943 and the property now represents one of the more beautiful country houses in Oxfordshire. The interior is full of remarkable character features: the hall and staircase were described in a 1971 issue of Country Life as ‘surely one of the most breath-taking surprises to be found in an English country house’
The ground floor is suited to family life and entertaining: the billiard room has a curved bay window and its fireplace depicts King Alfred, who was born nearby. Off the hall, are the spacious high ceilinged dining room and drawing room, the latter with Adam fireplace and wonderful south westerly views. The ground floor also has its original panelled morning room in tact, an octagonal study, a generous kitchen/breakfast room, butler’s pantry, larders, flower and gun room and staff sitting room.
The unique staircase rises up to the first floor which houses the large master bedroom suite, incorporating the main bedroom, a second bedroom/dressing room, two bathrooms (one with shower) and further dressing room. From the main landing, a flying staircase rises to the upper first floor ‘guest wing’ with two double bedrooms and adjoining bathroom. A second staircase then rises over the hall to a second guest floor with four double bedrooms and two bathrooms.
The first floor also has the children’s wing which comprises four bedrooms, bathroom, children’s sitting room, linen room, and nanny’s ensuite bedroom.
Outside the landscaped gardens are very attractive and comprise a number of different areas. The large south lawn has a fountain and views up to the Ridgeway, while beautiful mature trees shelter the recently resurfaced tennis court. Beyond is a croquet lawn and further wooded walkways.
The walled swimming pool lies to the north west of the house. Beyond here is the old part walled garden, the majority of which is currently laid to grass; the vegetable garden has a series of potting sheds.
Rolling parkland leads down the three lakes and woodland. Above the lakes is a private golf course maintained to an impressive standard with 18 tees and 5 greens.
The Grade II listed Stable House is at the far end of the walled garden and is currently occupied on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. Opposite the Stable House are the old estate garages which have planning permission to convert into a new Estate Office.
In all the land comes to over 250 acres. At its core is the Warren: a well-managed and easily accessed block of mixed woodland. This wood is the basis of two of the best drives on the estate. Below the main wood is a further conifer plantation surrounded by grazing and horse paddocks. The woods are alive with an abundance of wildlife including roe, fallow deer, hares and other game.
There is excellent stalking on the estate with muntjac, roe deer and some large herds of fallow. In addition, there is fishing of the series of lakes below the house.
Around the house are a number of classic parkland drives along with some duck shooting off the lakes. There are some excellent high pheasant drives to the south of the house as the land rises through the large mixed woodland to The Ridgeway.
The house is situated in Kingston Lisle and is surrounded by undulating parkland and countryside. The village has a church and a renowned pub, called The Blowing Stone Inn,so named after a tall sarsen stone located in the village. Legend has it that King Alfred blew through it to summon the Saxons to fight the Danes.. Everyday shopping is catered for in the nearby market town of Wantage, five miles away.
The guide price is £19m. For further information contact Strutt & Parker on 020 8022 6904 or Knight Frank on 020 8022 6905.
