THE DOWER HOUSE
A fine and substantial Grade II-listed village house, The Dower House is one of those rare homes that feel both impressive and inviting. Tucked away behind its walled garden, it offers a wonderfully atmospheric period setting with all the ease and comfort of a modern family home - the sort of place made for easy, everyday living, indulgent long weekends, house parties, and Christmases festivities on a grand scale.

Believed to have medieval origins, with handsome Georgian and Regency additions enhancing its Gothic-influenced grandeur, The Dower House is a distinguished country residence in a surprisingly accessible, yet delightfully private, position. Set slightly above the village, it enjoys sweeping views over open countryside, the neighbouring St Mary's church and the River Trent, and makes a striking contribution to the historic street scene along Church Lane.

The main house is arranged over three floors with useful cellarage, and the layout has been planned to work beautifully for both relaxed day-to-day life and generous entertaining. At its heart is a welcoming reception hall leading to four elegant reception rooms, a superb kitchen/breakfast room made for gathering, a laundry, a cloakroom, and a large workshop. Upstairs, the principal bedroom has its own ensuite and dressing room, with six further bedrooms, three bathrooms, a study, and a cinema/media room - ample space for family, friends, guests, or staff, and scope to create a self-contained annexe if desired.

Constructed of locally sourced red brick beneath hipped and gabled slate and pantile roofs, the house presents a classic Regency façade. The original, heavily panelled front door remains the focal point, set beneath a bracketed hood within a finely detailed ashlar doorcase. Ashlar mouldings enrich the south-facing elevation - windows, sills, architraves, and banding - giving the property a quietly confident, "proper country house" presence.

Inside, the period fabric has been carefully preserved and celebrated, with modern comforts introduced in a way that feels entirely in keeping. The Drawing Room and Dining Room retain their original Venetian marble fireplaces, one of which is still complete with a working bellpull. The Dining Room's hand-painted, gilded ceiling creates a dramatic focal point and a nod to the house's glamorous past. Light pours into the principal reception rooms through triple casement sash windows and Victorian leaded French doors, creating bright, uplifting spaces by day that become wonderfully atmospheric in the evening.

A comprehensive design-led refurbishment by House of Hildyard has brought the interiors to an exceptionally high standard. A new bespoke kitchen, an elegant staircase, a cinema room, a dressing room, and a laundry have all been added, and the bathrooms fully refurbished - always working with the property's original aesthetic rather than against it. The result is a house where historic detailing and contemporary convenience sit in perfect harmony: easy to live in, a pleasure to entertain in, and endlessly charming to spend time in.

The rear gardens are very much an extension of the living space. A broad terrace runs along the back of the house - ideal for summer lunches and evening drinks - stepping down to a level lawn (which doubles as a historic tennis court) framed by mature hedging and beautifully stocked, flower-filled borders. For leisure and entertaining, there is an elevated heated swimming pool with a plant and changing room, an outdoor kitchen for long suppers under the stars, an outdoor gym building, and an outdoor cinema - spaces that lend themselves equally to lazy family afternoons or lively gatherings with friends.

Within the grounds, which extend to c0.56 Acres, a productive apple orchard sits alongside more formal planting. Part of the garden is enclosed by a magnificent Grade II listed 10-foot brick wall with ashlar balustrades and coping, creating a sense of seclusion that feels both romantic and reassuringly secure. Two garden gates offer direct access to the Church and to Ferry Lane, quietly connecting the house to the village while preserving its sense of being a private retreat.

The approach to The Dower House sets the tone. Ornate cast iron gates, set between panelled ashlar piers with plinths, cornices and pyramidal caps, open onto brick and cast-iron boundary walls and a drive that gently reveals the house and gardens beyond - a fitting introduction to a home of rarity and provenance, beautifully reimagined for modern country living.

The present owners have enjoyed many happy years here since purchasing in 2011, carefully nurturing and renovating the property, and are, in truth, rather reluctant sellers as they move on to pastures new.

In our view, The Dower House is something quite special: an elegant, grown-up village house with real personality, superb entertaining spaces, and a wonderful sense of occasion. It deserves the attention of the serious country property buyer looking for a house to enjoy, take pride in, and to call home for many years to come.

CARLTON ON TRENT
Carlton on Trent is an attractive, small village set amid open farming countryside to the east of the A1, approximately eight miles north of Newark on Trent. It combines unspoilt rural surroundings with excellent connectivity, enjoying easy access to the bustling market towns of Retford and Worksop and serving as a highly convenient base for regional commuting and travel further afield, including direct routes to London.

Nearby Newark on Trent offers a broader range of amenities, including an excellent selection of shops, cafes, and restaurants, as well as professional services, leisure facilities, a sports centre, and a marina on the River Trent.

The area is particularly well served for schooling. Within easy reach are three well regarded preparatory schools - Wellow House, Highfields and Ranby House - along with a choice of village primary schools, including those at Muskham, Sutton on Trent, Caunton and Norwell. For older pupils, Worksop College provides a strong independent option, while Tuxford Academy and The Kings School are also highly regarded.

From Newark, there is straightforward access to the A1 national road network, as well as a fast East Coast Main Line rail service from Northgate station into London King's Cross, with a typical journey time of around 80-85 minutes - making Carlton on Trent an appealing choice for those seeking country living with easy links to the capital.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ROOM DIMENSIONS ARE CONFIRMED IN THE SALES PARTICULARS - PLEASE SEE THE LINK BELOW (OR VIEW ON OUR WEBSITE)