The West Wing Birthwaite Hall Darton A very rare opportunity has arisen to purchase The West Wing which forms part of the substantial Birthwaite Hall estate. This superb Grade li Listed property offers unique and elegant living boasting a spectacular array of original features to include oak panelling and plaster work within an idyllic country house estate enjoying all the benefits of country living and yet enjoying easy accessibility to the M1 Network. Externally- sweeping tree lined driveway, ample off road parking, stone built garage, workshop, log store, south facing sun terrace with views over the surrounding countryside. GROUND FLOOR Entrance Hall Breakfast Kitchen Dining Room Music Room Snug Access to cellar FIRST FLOOR Landing Master Bedroom Dressing Room/Study Bedroom 2 House Bathroom SECOND FLOOR Landing Sitting Room Library Bedroom 3 Bedroom 4 Bedroom 5 Bathroom 2 DISTANCES Barnsley approx. 4 miles, Leeds approx. 18 miles, Manchester approx. 35 miles, Sheffield approx. 19 miles M1 Junction 38 approx. 1 mile.
HISTORY Birthwaite Hall has an ancient pedigree, dating back to the mid 12th century. The gradual process of replacing the timber framed house in stone as a Restoration mansion began in 1665 when the owner Sir Francis Burdet was made a baronet in his early 20s by Charles II. Over the next 10 years he began mortgaging his lands to start building a new 2 ½ storey mansion taller than any other in the district, as an impressive Prodigy House more inkeeping with his perceived station in society eventually owing Thomas Wentworth 4,000 in 1675. In 1689 he mortgage Birthwaite for 1,200 to John Silvester, perhaps to install the fine Wren like oak panelled rooms in the West Wing to complete his house. By 1700 the debt rose to over 4,000 and Silvester foreclosed on the mortgage purchasing the freehold of Birthwaite for a mere 118. At this date the mansion was fenestrated with cross mullioned windows with leaded lights that were eventually replaced by more fashionable sash windows during the early to mid 18th century when the house was leased to well to do tenants. The West Wing leased as a separate residence by 1746 with a new inserted door and staircase; the many original features are beautifully preserved. LOCATION Darton is a semi-rural village with a BR main-line station to Leeds and Sheffield. The village is a short distance from Barnsley, both having a varierty of amenities, country public houses, and well regarded schools. Darton is a short drive from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Cannon Hall Country Park and is approximately 1 mile away from Junction 38 of the M1 Network. GENERAL INFORMATION The West Wing was the upper wing of this impressive 3-storey 17th century Manor House and comprises of two splendid suites of rooms embellished with bolection-moulded oak panelling on a very large scale. These retain original doors with brass locks, working shutters and bolection-moulded fireplaces, with a good dog-leg staircase connecting the 3 floors. The country house bespoke breakfast kitchen features painted woodwork with a distressed finish and a range of base, drawer and eye level units including a co-ordinating cooker island with wine rack and further units. Integrated appliances include a Rayburne coal fired cooker that heats 5 ground floor and 3 first floor radiators, induction 'smeg' hob with 'Elica' cooker hood, 'Whirlpool electric oven and grill, 'Teka' dishwasher and 'Zanussi' fridge. Fitted pantry includes further space for a fridge, freezer and plumbing for a washing machine. French doors lead out towards the sun terrace. The Dining Hall is accessed from the added single storey kitchen through the original entrance door with columns and fan-light, and boasts painted panelling, dark-stained floor boards and a marble corner open-fireplace. A door leads through into the impressive Music Room enjoying floor to ceiling sash windows with views over the surrounding countryside. The room includes solid oak panelling throughout, oak flooring and a superb open fireplace with a rare red-veined alabaster surround. The Snug is a fine well-proportioned oak-panelled single-cube room with an open marble fireplace with Regency tiled surround. A second door leads back to the entrance stair-hall that has a large coat-cupboard; a trap-door set in the floor provides access via a stone spiral stair to a large wine-cellar and log-store. The magnificent Master Bedroom is perhaps the finest room in the house having richly moulded oak panelled walls with sash windows with window-seats facing East, South and West on three elevations with an extended sitting area enjoying the views. A door leads through to the former Wig Closet with a secret cupboard above a corner fireplace, now a potential dressing room or study. It forms a suite of four rooms the interconnecting doors aligned through to the adjacent Bedroom cum-dressing Room, and Bathroom, creating an early example of an enfilade. The impressive and luxurious house bathroom enjoys electric underfloor heating, sash windows with window seats, corner stone fireplace with original mirror and includes a five-piece Phillip Starck by Duravit suite comprising of the double Starck free standing Bath, WC, console basin and bidet, together with the extra-large Majestic Shower Enclosure with removable seat. The second-floor accommodation has the potential to be a separate living space, ideal as a teenage or guest suite. The floor comprises of a sitting room, library, 3 spacious bedrooms and bathroom. Listed building consent has been granted to create an en-suite to bedroom 3. EXTERNALS The West Wing is accessed via a long, winding private lane lined with mature trees and hedges leading to the impressive Birthwaite Hall estate and to a set of original early 18th century wrought iron gates and stone piers with carved urns that form an elegant north entrance to the West Wing, and its stone built garage, workshop, wood store and potting shed. It s private garden is an arboretum of tall mature specimen trees, set within former parkland, that includes a rare Cedrus Magna, and other evergreen trees that screen the house. The property includes ample off road parking with spaces in front of the property and spaces in front of the garage. The south front has a superb private stone flagged sun terrace set between tall yew hedges with magnificent rural views over the adjacent stepped terraced garden and the distant wooded countryside. FIXTURES AND FITTINGS Only fixtures and fittings specifically mentioned in the particulars are included within the sale. Items not mentioned such as carpets and curtains may be available subject to separate negotiation. LOCAL AUTHORITY Barnsley MBC WAYLEAVES, EASEMENTS AND RIGHTS OF WAYS There are no public rights of way from the north gated entrance. The sale is subject to all of these rights whether public or private, whether mentioned in these particulars or not. SERVICES We understand that the property benefits from mains electric, water and a septic tank reed bed filtration system. Mains gas is avaliable seperate to the property. Please note that none of the services have been tested by the agents, we would therefore strictly point out that all prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves as to their working order. TENURE Freehold with vacant possession upon completion. DIRECTIONS TO From the M1, take junction J38 and follow the A637 for approximately 1.5 miles towards Darton. The entrance for the estate can be found just after the layby on the left-hand side. Proceed up the private driveway to the end and take a left. The property can be found straight ahead. For satellite navigation- S75 5JS IMPORTANT NOTICE CHARNOCK BATES for themselves and for vendors of this property whose agents they are give notice that: (i) the particulars are set out as a general outline only for the guidance of intended purchasers and do not constitute, nor constitute part of, an offer or contract. (ii) all descriptions, metric and imperial dimensions are approximate, reference to conditions and necessary permissions for use and occupation and other details are given without responsibility and any intending purchasers should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of them. (iii) no person in the employment of Charnock Bates associates has any authority to make or give any representation or warrant whatever in relation to this property. (iv) these particulars do not form part of any offer or contact and must not be relied upon.
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