Lot 1 - Laverstoke Park House, Overton, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG28

A quintessential country estate of the highest calibre

Description

Laverstoke House

Laverstoke House was built in 1798 and is an impressive 48,663 sq ft, Grade II* Listed Palladian house of significant architectural prowess in a highly private and tranquil setting. The house’s architect, Joseph Bonomi the Elder, became renowned for many of the greatest country houses in England, and his bold approach to breaking the accepted rules of classical architecture allowed him to exhibit his preference for uniform proportions and tasteful ornamentation which are evident throughout Laverstoke House.

The focal point of Laverstoke House is its southern facade with its beautifully appointed four columned Ionic portico which contains a pediment of the Portal Coat of Arms. Melville Portal also replaced the principal drive to the main house in the 19th century. Now lying to the west, the drive approaches the main house through wooden gates flanked with herringbone brick pillars past Park Lodge. Sweeping east through its fine parkland where you can admire the established native trees, the drive passes the north of the house before heading southeast to a round carriage drive leading to the fine eastern elevation and double wooden panelled front doors.

There is a further drive to the east which passes through the Estate’s woodland, crosses the picturesque River Test and continues through the parkland before joining the main drive to the east of the house.

The principal doors open to arched glass double doors into the flag stone floored entrance hall which leads through an arch into the grand Reception Hall, a periodic feature throughout the house. The double height hall is bathed in light from an impressive copula and features two arches with ornate cornicing above and the impressive sweeping double imperial staircase.

The main suite of reception rooms lie to the south in the Georgian part of the house, all of which retain their Adams style decoration and are accessed from the Reception Hall. The Summer Dining Room is the focal highlight of the house owing to its three beautiful arched full length windows that lead directly out onto the southern terrace under the portico. Flooded with natural light, the room enjoys open views over the Estate’s parkland and the
lake and features silk fabric walling custom made from the historic Whitchurch Silk Mill, oak flooring from the Estate’s woodland and an original open fireplace with marble surround. Accessed from both the Hall and the Summer Dining Room is the dual aspect Yellow Morning Room which, with its five tall sash windows, benefits from impressive views to the south and east. The Library is spacious and fitted with beautiful oak book shelves, one of which
encompasses a secret bookcase door that links through to the Summer Dining Room. You are welcomed into the room through two pillars which features decorative detailing on the ceiling and the expansive bay window to the west, all of which create an inviting space to relax around the marble surround fireplace and admire the stunning vistas. The formal Dining Room lies off the Reception Hall to the north through the eastmost arch and provides a highly versatile space for entertaining whilst the cosy Study lies adjacent to the Library to the east with west views.

Impressive wooden panelled double doors lead into the contemporary Internal Courtyard, which was incorporated into the main house in the 20th century and leads through to the external courtyard to the north. From here, one can appreciate both the original architecture from the Flemish bond yellow brick wall to the traditional stone of the more modern renovations. Adorned with a curved double glazed ceiling, the room and surrounding galleried landings benefit from expansive daylight throughout. The space offers numerous entertainment opportunities, and has accommodated up to 70 guests for a formal dinner and 150 guests for a nightclub party. To the east of the courtyard is the modern, open plan Family Kitchen with dining area, 8 ring commercial gas hop under a decorative stone arch, beautiful open fireplace, marble topped fitted kitchen units and large island and usefully has direct access into the formal Dining
Room. A corridor leads to the commercial kitchen, extensive pantry, laundry room and staff shower room through to the staff entrance. To the west of the Internal Courtyard lies a cloakroom with two separate WCs and an extensive Boot Room.

The Ballroom lies to the north west of the Internal Courtyard which provides a beautifully proportioned entertaining space and features original wooden panelled walls and a semi-circular fitted fireplace seating area. The Edwardian Stained Glass Gallery lies off the Ballroom and includes three original stained glass windows, each honouring a member of the Portal family.

Adjacent to the Ballroom is the dual aspect Gym which leads through to the magnificent Orangery housing the swimming pool under a barrel glass roof. The room features stone pillars and 20 glass arched windows which bathes the room with natural light, creating a relaxing ambience from where you can admire the surrounding gardens. When it is a beautiful English summer's day, the 20 sets of arched windows can be opened out to embrace the countryside. There are adjoining changing facilities including a sauna, steam room / shower and a separate WC. There is also a separate kitchenette and further WC. Double glass doors open to a flagstone corridor which leads through to the Games Room, indoor tennis and squash courts and in-floor trampoline area. To the southeast of the Internal Courtyard, stone steps lead down into the basement which houses the distinctive arched brick cellar dining room. Lit by candlelight and its stone fireplace, the room provides a highly unique entertaining space for atmospheric dinner parties. The cellar also includes the extensive, temperature controlled wine cellar, storage spaces, security room and the large walk-in strong room with original metal door which is suitable for use as a gun room.

The imperial double staircase leads up to the principal bedroom suite which occupies the whole southeast corner of the first floor.

Gardens and Grounds

Laverstoke House is surrounded by beautiful landscaped parkland which forms a fine setting for the house. The front lawn is bordered by a brick Ha-Ha to the south and extends around the house to the south and the west. The gardens include areas of mature lawns around the house, a plethora of flowering shrubs, beds and numerous woodland walks with established, mature native trees. The southern terrace is a real highlight from where you can fully admire the lake and the parkland – the perfect place for hosting summer drinks.

Located to the west of the gardens is a superbly constructed circular “summer house” which has been designed to offer entertaining space for a wide variety of functions including summer drinks and garden parties. There is a fantastic outdoor BBQ area including a brick pizza oven and fire pits, full music surround system and decking beyond that acts as a highly effective sun trap from where you can enjoy the fabulous views over the parkland to the south with the principal trees able to be up-light for evening events.




Acreage: 282 Acres

Additional Info

Parkland - Grade II listed, the parkland at Laverstoke was a prominent landscape park in Hampshire in the early to mid-19th century, forming the subject of many George Frederick Prosser’s watercolours dating from the 1850s.

Extending to over 238 acres, the undulating parkland is planted with both native and exotic specimen trees, many of which have matured since the 18th century. The “Home Plantation” extends along the majority of the park’s northern boundary whilst the south of the park is marked by the lake, which originally powered the Laverstoke paper mill. The River Test runs east to west through the park, providing 1.5 miles of double bank chalk stream fishing, the quality of which rarely becomes available.

The parkland is divided from the surrounding farmland by the woodland boundaries of Wool Down and Rotten Hill, the slopes of which form the spectacular backdrop to the principal views enjoyed from the house.

Melville Portal complemented his mid-19th century alterations to the house with the addition of ornamental estate lodges.

River Test - The world renowned River Test flows through the Estate’s parkland. Renowned as the birthplace of modern fly fishing, the River Test offers excellent fishing including brown trout and grayling. The stretch of river running through Laverstoke featured in the first illustrated edition of Watership Down. Written by neighbouring author Richard Adams published in 1972, the book sold over 50 million copies worldwide.

Walled Garden - The traditional Walled Kitchen Garden lies to the northwest of Laverstoke House. Accessible through the Estate’s woodlands by foot, the garden is accessed through wrought-iron gates in the east wall opposite the Gardener’s Cottage. The garden includes boxed vegetable and herbaceous beds with two greenhouses lining the northern wall which can grow a variety of fruit. There are a number of useful potting sheds and garden storage sheds behind. An orchard lies to the west with numerous fruit trees.