APLEY PARK

NEAR BRIDGNORTH

SHROPSHIRE

A SUBSTANTIAL MANSION HOUSE WITH ABOUT 30 BEDROOMS

AND OCCUPYING AN OUTSTANDING POSITION WITHIN

SPECTACULAR PARKLAND BORDERING THE RIVER SEVERN

AT PRESENT IN EDUCATIONAL USE AND SUITABLE FOR A VARIETY OF

ALTERNATIVE USES (SUBJECT TO PLANNING PERMISSION)

FLOOR AREA, INCLUDING OUTBUILDINGS, ABOUT 38,000 SQ.FT.

ABOUT 30 ACRES

FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY ON A LONGLEAS

HISTORICAL NOTE

Apley Park is described by Pevsner as a large three-storeyed mansion in the Gothic style built in 1811 for Thomas Whitmore, of Grinshill stone. Reference is made to the former Orangery (now housing an indoor swimming pool) and to the apparent end of a chapel with a large Gothic window. This is a sham and hides the corner of a Georgian house which stood on the site before 1811. Its regular Georgian windows are still there and some interior features also survive. There was a yet earlier house for which licence to crenellate was granted in 1308 but of this nothing survives. Nor is much left of a succeeding house which was dismantled in the Civil War.

The property is also described in the Listing Notice as one of the most famous seats of Shropshire.  The principal rooms have typical mid-19th century Gothic decoration and there is reference to marble mantelpieces brought from Old Dorchester House. The Park is referred to as one of the finest in the county with a terrace overlooking the Severn Valley and hanging woods to a great height lining the steep gorge of the River (reference Country Life).

Further information was published by Country Landowners Association following a visit to the Apley Estate in 1979. This states that in 1572 the Manor of Apley was purchased from the Lucy family by Sir William Whitmore of London who built a gable ended house on the present site. The house was destroyed by fire in the late 17th or early 18th century and a Georgian house was built on the same site. This was replaced in 1811 by Thomas Whitmore with the present house in Strawberry Hill Gothic style. The layout of the Park was carried out about 1820 to the design of the landscape architect William Webb.

SHROPSHIRE

The property is superbly situated within the 8,500 acre Apley Estate about 7 miles from from Bridgnorth.  Telford is about 8 miles where there is a Railway Station and access to the M54 motorway connecting with the M6 motorway.  Wolverhampton is about 15 miles with frequent Inter City train service to London.  The property therefore enjoys excellent communications with the added benefit of an outstanding rural location.

DESCRIPTION

Apley Park is approached from the village of Norton, on the A442 Bridgnorth to Telford road, initially by a public road and then along a private drive of about one mile through timbered parkland.  The house is set in a gentle valley on a plateau above the River Severn and enjoys outstanding views to the north, east and south over parkland and woodland.

The house is built in the Gothic style of stone and brick with slated roofs and is currently used as a Boarding School by Shropshire County Council.The main entrance is on the east front with a sweep round approach to a carriage entrance.

The accommodation is as follows with approximate dimensions of the principal rooms

GROUND FLOOR

ENTRANCE HALL about 27ft x 25ft with intricate arched ceiling, marble and stone fireplace. Door to ASSEMBLY ROOM (former Drawing Room) about 42ft x 25ft with fine moulded ceiling and double doors to DINING ROOM (former Library) about 43ft x 26ft part panelled with moulded ceiling, marble fireplace and large bay. Another door from the entrance hall leads to DAY ROOM (former Dining Room) about 38ft x 24ft with painted panelled walls and fine ceiling. Adjoining is DAY ROOM 2 (former Servery) about 2Oft x 2Oft. Also approached from the entrance hall is an INNER HALL with marble floor and impressive main staircase, dividing into two at a mezzanine level. HEADMASTER'S STUDY superbly panelled with tapestries and stone and marble fireplace. OFFICE. HEADMASTER'S ACCOMMODATION comprising Dining Room, Kitchen and Sitting Room about 28ft x 21ft. COMMON ROOM about 33ft x 16ft. SCHOOL LIBRARY (former Billiards Room) about 24ft x 19ft with part panelled walls, carved fireplace and arched ceiling with lantern light. ELECTRIC PASSENGER LIFT. DOMESTIC OFFICES comprising Kitchen about 35ft x 21ft, Two Staff Rooms, Wash-Up Room, Two Storerooms, Utility Room and lavatory. ABLUTIONS ROOM. Former Orangery about 64ft x 32ft min, now comprising INDOOR HEATED SWIMMING POOL, and adjoining SQUASH COURT.

FIRST FLOOR

PRINCIPAL LANDING with lantern light. DORMITORY about 27ft into bay x 24ft. BEDROOM. DORMITORY about 31ft x 26ft. ISOLATION ROOM. SICKROOM about 21ft x 21ft. BATHROOM. THREE BEDROOMS and BATHROOM (Headmaster's accommodation). DISPENSARY. BATHROOM. DORMITORY about 25ft x 21ft. DORMITORY about 3Oft x 15ft. OFFICE. ABLUTIONS ROOM. DORMITORY about 2Oft x 2Oft communicating with further DORMITORY. LINEN ROOM, LINEN STORE and corridor to THREE BEDROOMS and TWO BATHROOMS.

SECOND FLOOR

LANDING with lantern light. DORMITORY about 25ft x 21ft. BEDROOM. DORMITORY about 31ft x 26ft. BEDROOM. DORMITORY about 21ft x 21ft. ABLUTIONS ROOM. THREE BEDROOMS. BATHROOM. LINEN ROOM. DORMITORY about 25ft x 21ft. DORMITORY about 26ft x 24ft. ABLUTIONS ROOM. DORMITORY about 34ft x 21ft. DORMITORY about 23ft x 23ft, TWO BEDROOMS and BATHROOM. On a higher level is a STOREROOM.

OUTSIDE

On the west side of the building is a large courtyard with CHANGING AND ABLUTION ROOMS.

FORMER STABLE BLOCK

Adjacent to the main building and arranged round a courtyard are the former stable and garage buildings with brick and rendered elevations under slated roofs. They have been converted to school accommodation and include:-

Ground Floor:

3 Classrooms, Woodwork/Metalwork Room, Laboratory. Storerooms, Locker Rooms, Ablutions Room, Equipment Store and Workshops.

First Floor:

6 Classrooms, Gymnasium, Storerooms and 2 Bedroom Flat.

There is also a range of further stores and nearby is a single storey BUILDING comprising six Craft Rooms suitable for conversion into residential accommodation subject to planning permission.

FLOOR AREAS

The approximate total net internal floor areas (excluding Swimming Pool and Squash Court) are as follows:-

Main Building

Ground Floor:- 9,800 sq.ft.

First Floor: - 7,600 sq.ft.

Second Floor:- 7,300 sq.ft.

24,700 sq.ft.

Stable Block

Ground Floor: - 7,200 sq.ft.

First Floor: - 5,300 sq.ft.

12,500 sq.ft.

Craft Building

1,500 sq.ft.

TOTAL ABOUT 38,700 sq.ft.

FLOOR PLANS

The floor areas of the main building are based on the enclosed reduced scale floor plans prepared by Shropshire County Council. Subject to the alteration of some room uses, the plans are believed to be substantially correct but they are issued without responsibility on the part of the Agents, their Clients or Shropshire County Council.

SERVICES

Heating

The main building is supplied by two oil-fired boilers in the basement, one for central heating and the other for domestic hot water. Another oil-fired boiler in the stable block provides heating for the swimming pool and central heating for the stable block.

Electricity

Mains supply. (Main building recently re-wired).

Water

Metered supply from the Estate svstem which is connected I o tl-ie Severn Trent Water Authority mains.

Drainage

Private system to sewage plant within the grounds and easement for outfall to the River Severn.

FIXTURES AND FITTINGS

The present tenants, Shropshire County Council, reserve the right to remove any fixtures, fittings and equipment belonging to them (including kitchen equipment). The tapestries in the main building are owned by the lessors who reserve the right to remove them. If the tapestries are included in a lease, separate insurance cover will be required.

GROUNDS

The grounds extend to about 30 acres and include lawns, areas of grass, amenity woodland and about 11 acres of playing fields

COTTAGES

The pair of Stone Cottages situated to the west of the property are not intended to be included in the lease but may be available by separate negotiation.

Each cottage contains Living Room, Sitting Room, Kitchen, 3 Bedrooms and Bathroom.

FENCING

The tenant will be required to fence part of the boundary, to the north and east of the main building.

RIGHTS OF WAY

Rights of way will be granted over the main Estate drive leading from the public road and also along other Estate roads bordering the property subject to a reasonable contribution to the cost of maintenance according to user.

TENURE AND POSSESSION

The property is offered for sale on a full repairing and insuring lease for a period of up to about 125 years.

PLANNING

Local Planning Authority: Bridgnorth District Council, Westgate, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 5AA, Tel: Bridgnorth (07462) 5131

Chief Planning Officer: Mr. K.P. Cooper.

The main building is listed Grade II* and the former stable building is listed Grade 11.

The present use of the property is as a boarding school by Shropshire County Council. Informal discussions have taken place with Officers of the Planning Department of Bridgnorth District Council who indicated without prejudice that various alternative uses may be favorably considered including a residential training centre, headquarters building, hotel, country club, health hydro, nursing home/medical use and residential conversion.

It will be the responsibility of prospective tenants to make their own enquiries regarding any use proposed by them.

OUTGOINGS

Rateable Value £6,097

VIEWING

The property may be inspected only by confirmed appointment through the Agents London office (01-629 8171 Ref:GSF) or Shrewsbury Office (0743 241181 Ref: RG).

PRICE AND FURTHER INFORMATION ON APPLICATION TO THE SOLE AGENTS