Phocle Green, Ross-on-wye, HR9 7TL

A magical Grade I listed house whose rich history has spanned the centuries to provide a warm and comfortable family home. Rudhall Manor sits in an enchanted private setting surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds. As a Grade l listed building it is only one of very few private residences in the county and as such is one of the most special of houses in the whole of England.

At its heart the house dates back to the 14th century or possibly even earlier but the most spectacular features belong to the 16th century. The magnificent carved half- timber work is very impressive and the three gables on the north façade of the west wing are particularly fine and an interesting contrast to the delightful Georgian sandstone façade on the south side of the same wing. The original main entrance to the house has a fine Jacobean stone two storey front piece with coupled Tuscan columns and an adjoining Georgian Venetian window.

The main entrance today is approached by an imposing cloister porch leading to a magnificent carved oak front door. To the first time visitor Rudhall Manor immediately welcomes you with its warm tones, mixture of the grand and the cosy but most of all the enchantment of a long cherished home to a host of families over the centuries. The history lover will particularly appreciate the extensive Tudor oak paneling, immaculate cornice work, historic fireplaces and exposed beams. The current owner has brought their artistic and Venetian heritage to the reconfigured accommodation to provide an attractive overall balance and has maintained the property to a very high standard.

So much of the history of Rudhall will remain a secret held within the walls of this magical space but if they could speak they would recall the many generations of families that have lived and loved here, how when fortunes were good improvements and enhancements were made so that the magnificent Great Hall that is Tudor in origins and therefore over 400 years old would have seen the windows that reflect the Georgian era installed at another moment of prosperity.

Rudhall has also hosted our national heroes, most notably Admiral Lord Nelson (after which one of the rooms is named) and more recently during the second world war Rudhall became the home to a generation of our national heroes who fought in campaigns from as long ago as the Boar War and Great War;  it was used by the Royal Hospital for the distinctly uniformed gentlemen affectionately known as Chelsea Pensioners.

Other notable owners have included Alexander Baring, later the first Lord Ashburton, Sir Peter Scott perhaps our greatest ornithologist and responsible for the nearby Slimbridge Wildfowl and Westlands centre,  Sir John Harvey Jones the high profile British businessman and entrepreneur. The current owner is a well known artist with an illustrious catalogue.

Rudhall Manor is approached from a country lane via an imposing entrance with electronically operated wrought iron gates. This leads to a sweeping drive to the main house.

The gardens and grounds make the whole setting complete and essentially a private paradise. Two terraces adjoining the house overlook an extensive lawn surrounded by magnificent specimen trees and clipped yew hedges. It includes an historic county boundary marker. The lawns lead down to Rudhall Brook which enters the grounds via a waterfall and is crossed by a series of small bridges. The brook feeds two wonderful lakes providing a haven for birds and wildlife. The north west boundary includes an extensive rockery garden which is stocked with a wide variety of rare shrubs and young trees and intersected by private pathways. A woodland walk completes the enjoyment offered by this rural idyll.

An array of outbuilding have been re-purposed for modern living and now include a heated indoor swimming pool and gym, a self contained studio apartment above significant garaging along with a green house and useful working spaces and storage.

Rudhall Manor is located about 3 miles east of Ross-on-Wye which has all the shops and services expected of a historic market town, whilst the county town of Hereford (15 miles) and the popular centre of Cheltenham (25 miles) provide extensive shopping and recreational opportunities.
 

We would say Rudhall manor has all rural charm but with excellent communications via the M50 which gives fast and easy access to the Midlands and the central motorway network. Bristol and Birmingham, both with international airports, are about one hour away by car. London is about two and a half hours away by car.

Alternatively there is a First Great Western service from Gloucester (17 miles) to London Paddington taking approximately two hours. This area of Herefordshire is renowned for its beauty and recreational opportunities. These include golf courses at Ross, Monmouth and Dymock; race courses at Hereford, Worcester and Ludlow; the scenic River Wye offers wonderful fishing opportunities, and there are glorious walks and rides through the surrounding countryside. There is a good choice of schools in the area with Haberdashers’ Monmouth, Hereford Cathedral School, The Elms at Colwall and the well renowned schools of Malvern and Cheltenham all being highly accessible.