By Lycetts
In England and Wales, there are around 500,000 listed buildings. Steeped in heritage and oozing character, many of us can only dream of owning one of these historic abodes. However, there are plenty of listed buildings on the market for those with the cash and desire to buy.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of the UK’s best listed buildings. So, why not take a look and find your favourite?
County Durham Castle
When it was constructed: 1765
Location: Castle Eden, County Durham
Building grade: Grade II
Market value: £2,990,000
Overview:
The castle in Durham is a popular destination for anyone visiting this historic city. A nine-bedroom property, it also features 14 acres of woodland and lawns, a palm house orangery, a tone-style wine vault, and a cupola dome that will remind you of Rome’s Basilica. Inside the castle, you can see a sweeping staircase, a formal drawing room, a games room and two storeys of furnished bedrooms with en-suites.
Dalmoak Castle
When it was constructed: The Dalmoak estate has been around since the Middle Ages, but Dalmoak Castle was built in the 1860s by architect, Alexander Watt.
Location: Renton Road, Dumbarton, G2 4HQ
Building grade: Grade I
Market value: £1,700,000
Overview:
This gothic-style building is a stunning mansion house with bags of character. With a tower and a near symmetrical castellated mansion house, you’re greeted by a central hall with an imperial set of stairs, while the property’s interior also features a drawing room with ceiling plasterwork, scagliola columns and stained-glass windows.
The Chantry
When it was constructed: During the 1500s and restructured in 1937.
Location: Honiton, Devon
Building grade: Grade I
Market value: £775,000
Overview:
If you’re searching for a new home with equally impressive interiors and exteriors, The Chantry is for you. Surrounding the property are beautiful gardens, and within these, you’ll get to enjoy a thatched summerhouse and huge glass house. Even better, if you call this your home, you’ll also have access to a beautiful stream that serves as a tributary of the River Otter, which borders the property to the north-east.
Aside from the incredible grounds, the inside of this listed building is just as spectacular. When covering his History of Devonshire, Richard Polwhele described the ancient newel staircase as a “remarkable staircase of heart and oak”. The property is traditionally built of mellow local flintstone. Plus, there’s also a large, inglenook fireplace featuring Beer Stone dressings and an old bread oven in the property’s heavily beamed dining room.
Hayes Manor
When it was constructed: 1500s
Location: Viney Hill, Lydney, Gloucestershire, GL15
Building grade: Grade II
Market value: £750,000
Overview:
Found on a hillside looking out over miles of countryside, Hayes Manor offers amazing views across the Severn Vale. This 16th century home has four bedrooms, a detached stone privy, long private drive, over an acre of gardens, and an array of period features. Even when you drive up to the property, you can see that you’ll have more than enough space for family, friends, parties, and more.
De Vere House
When it was constructed: Unclear.
Location: Water Street, Lavenham, Suffolk, CO10
Building grade: Grade I
Market value: £995,000
Overview:
This grandiose building is steeped in history. Once home to England’s second-richest family and then under the ownership of a man fabled to have been the true author of the works attributed to William Shakespeare — Edward De Vere — the stories within these walls are endless. This house’s exterior features a herringbone design, exposed timbers, leaded mullions, and ornate carved timbers. As you approach it, you’ll be mesmerised by the carved stature of a huntsmen at either side of the main door.
If the De Vere House looks familiar, you might recognise it from the film: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! Inside, you’ll find a stone spiral staircase, timber frames, traditional fireplaces, and Medieval and Tudor wall paintings.
Dukes Place
When it was constructed: Early 1400s
Location: Mereworth Road, West Peckham, Kent, ME18 5JH
Building grade: Grade I
Market value: £2,975,000
Overview:
Dukes Place is unmistakably Tudor in design and structure. Get close enough to appreciate it, and you’ll find open fireplaces, exposed timbers, lattice windows, vaulted ceilings, and oak sills and doors.
If you’re keen to find a home that you can enjoy all year round, Dukes Place is ideal. There’s a tennis court and vegetable garden complete with a series of raised beds and a greenhouse to make the most of in warm weather, while the cosy interior creates a wonderful atmosphere on dark days and nights. Dukes Place is also home to a detached ragstone building that has been converted into secondary accommodation and is found next to a heated swimming pool!
The Old Coach House
When it was constructed: Built in the 18th century, though remodeled in the mid-19th century.
Location: Badger, Shropshire, WV6 7JP
Building grade: Grade II
Market value: £650,000
Overview:
Found in beautiful Shropshire, The Old Coach House features wooden hatches and timber frames for a captivatingly rustic look. Originally used as a coach or cart house, the property today includes a granary on the first floor, an oak-framed orangery and conservatory, integrated double garages, and about 0.25 acres of private gardens.
The Mill House
When it was constructed: Information not available.
Location: Shotesham, St. Mary, Norfolk
Building grade: Grade II
Market value: £695,000
Overview:
Found close to a village pub and six miles from Norwich, The Mill House is a Georgian property with a vaulted ceiling and south-facing terrace. If you’re a fan of this era, it’s well worth considering if you’re in the market to buy. The Mill House has four bedrooms and collection of outbuildings. However, some consider its best feature to be that it overlooks the breathtaking River Tas.
Whittington Old Hall
When it was constructed: Constructed in the 1600s, but restored in 1891.
Location: The parish of Whittington, Lichfield, Staffordshire
Building grade: Grade II
Market value: £825,000
Overview:
This six-bedroom home offers a graveled driveway, 16th-century features, brick garage, and workshop area. Whittington Old Hall is one of Staffordshire’s first great houses and features an incredible exterior of red brick with sandstone quoins and dressings.
Close to the centre of Lichfield and wonderfully laid out over three floors, Whittington Old Hall is one to beat. Find a 19th century Jacobean-style timber fireplace, floor-to-ceiling oak paneling, and a stair window designed with stained glass and enigmatically etched with the motto: “WHERE ‘ERE / WE ROAM / AN ENGLISH MOTHER / IN AN ENGLISH HOME”.
Wilton Castle
When it was constructed: During the 1300s. However, it was partly demolished to make way for a house in the 16th century. After falling into disrepair, it was adapted during the 1800s.
Location: Wilton, Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9 6AD
Building grade: Grade I
Market value: £1,495,000
Overview:
Wilton Castle offers unparalleled grandeur. From its moat and Great Tower, to its dungeon and spectacular surrounding land, you’ll feel like a Lord or Lady here. Found beside the River Wye, this listed building has only recently been the subject of a restoration programme. As a result, the five-bedroom property now offers its buyer manicured gardens and around two acres of landscaped grounds.
At almost 700 years old, the castle house features architectural vestiges from the Norman, Tudor, Elizabethan, Georgian and Victorian eras.
This article was researched and created by listed building insurance provider, Lycetts.
Sources:
The Castle:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4941734/Grade-II-listed-castle-complete-sale-3million.html
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1001311
De Vere House:
The Old Coach House:
https://www.lpoc.co.uk/properties-for-sale/property/old-coach-house-badger-shropshire-wv6-7jp/
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1367638
Dukes Place:
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1070672
Dalmoak Castle:
https://www.lpoc.co.uk/properties-for-sale/property/dalmoak-castle-renton-road-dumbarton-g2-4hq/
The Mill House:
Whittington Old Hall:
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1038870
Hayes Manor:
The Chantry:
https://www.lpoc.co.uk/properties-for-sale/property/the-chantry-honiton-devon/
Wilton Castle:
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1214349