A rare opportunity to acquire this stunning Grade II Listed country house, with extensive gardens and grounds, including a tennis court, swimming pool, plus various outbuildings, a paddock and a field available by separate negotiation (See Lot 1).

The property

This family home is brimming with period features: original flagged floor to the entrance hall, period fireplaces, mullioned windows, exposed oak beams, turned oak staircase and sash working shutters, are a few of the highlights of this graceful property. There is no doubt that this historic home would benefit from some tender loving care, but the rewards would be worth the effort. The property has been a much loved family home and is offered for sale for the first time in over 50 years.

Preston House, which is Grade II Listed, dates from the 17th Century and is stone-built with a Collyweston roof. The house sits around a central courtyard with gardens to the south and a paddock to the west. Rounded steps lead up to the front door which opens onto an entrance hall with a flagstone floor, stone fireplace and log burning stove.

The main stairs rise ahead and, to the right, is a sitting room with a working fireplace and a coat room and cloakroom beyond. To one side of the sitting room is a small garden room with access to the central courtyard and to the other a corridor leads to the drawing room, which has mullioned windows overlooking the central courtyard and a working fireplace. Running south from the hall is a run of rooms encompassing a dining room, kitchen, utility room, tack room, garage and boiler room.

On the first floor, to the southern end, there is a principal suite with a large dressing room and bathroom. Beyond this there is a run of five bedrooms, a family bathroom and an office. On the second floor there are a further four rooms and a family bathroom.

Outside

To the west of the house is a stable block, which is independently Grade II Listed. This has four stables with additions to either side forming a garage and two store rooms. To the south-east is a separate gardener's shed, a swimming pool and changing room. The gardens are walled, with many mature trees and plants for every season.

To the south is a grass tennis court, which used to help host the Rutland Lawn Tennis Championships! Behind the stables is a small paddock housing the largest hollybush in Rutland apparently!

Location

Preston is a popular conservation village. Surrounded by rolling countryside, it lies between the market towns of Oakham and Uppingham. Transport links are excellent with the A47, just a mile away, providing links to the east and the west and the A1. Rail links to London are various and there is a bus stop in the village.

Schooling in the area is exceptional with a good range of state, preparatory and public schools in the area including Witham Hall, Brooke Priory, Oakham, Uppingham, Stamford and Oundle. There are several outstanding golf courses in the area, Rutland Polo Club is nearby and there are many local hunts including the Cottesmore, Fernie and Quorn. Nearby, Rutland Water provides a world class amenity with sailing, windsurfing, walking, cycling, fishing and a myriad of other activities.

Directions

Travelling from the South on the A1, take the slip road signposted Peterborough and at the roundabout take the third exit onto A47 signposted Leicester. Stay on this road for approximately 13 miles and at the Uppingham roundabout take the fourth exit signposted to Oakham and Preston on the A6003. Follow this road for a mile until you reach the village. Just before the turning into Main Street you will see the gate for Preston House on your left.

This property has 1.17 acres of land.