House For Sale £7,750,000
Stonebridge Shaw is delighted to bring to market Castletop House, a prime country house and one of the finest properties within The New Forest.
THE PROPERTY
Recognised as one of the foremost properties in the New Forest, Castletop House is a fine Late Victorian country house with a total living area of about 12,000 sq/ft, set in grounds of 6.5 acres with the possibility to purchase a further 4+ acres of adjoining ancient woodlands, rare rhododendrons and specimen trees. Lovingly restored by its present owners to modern standards, it has lost none of its original charm or period features, including large sash windows, panelling, high ceilings and solid oak floors throughout. Grand proportions with a south facing aspect give the house a light and airy feel.
OPTIONAL FURTHER LAND
Two further lots are available. Lot 2 has 4+ acres of adjoining ancient woodland gardens and Lot 3 is a grazing field of 10 acres. In total an additional 18 acres is possible (all by separate negotiation).
Castletop House is situated on the edge of the picturesque village of Burley in the heart of The New Forest National Park, yet is still only 90 miles from London via the M3. Bournemouth and Southampton airports are easily accessible. Fast trains to London are close by at Southampton and Brockenhurst. The New Forest is amongst the most desirable locations in the UK, renowned for its lifestyle and natural beauty. With direct forest access, Castletop House is ideal for equestrian activities and offers total privacy. Burley itself is an established centre for walking, cycling, fishing and riding. It is a lively community with its own golf course, village pubs and gourmet restaurants. The property is 3 miles from the market town of Ringwood, which boasts all modern conveniences including all amenities, leisure facilities and boutique shops.
MEETING TODAY'S ENERGY REQUIREMENTS
When Castletop House was restored, the restoration was done to make the house energy efficient and cost effective to run to the standards of today.
Almost all the external walls were drylined with 50 mm of high-density insulation. Floors and ceilings were also insulated to a high standard. All new windows are either triple or double glazed.
There is a 3-phase electricity supply and cabling ready for future heat pumps.
The radiators were sized with heat pumps in mind. There are also water based solar panels to preheat the heating system and 3 log fires.
DRAWING ROOM
The drawing room is perfect for grand entertaining. Guests glimpse the room from the entrance hall through folding panelled doorsbefore entering this beautiful and impressive room (28ft x 26ft). Light streams in through three sets of double French doors leadingonto the formal lawns.
THE DINING ROOM
Extravagant proportions continue into the dual aspect dining room, which can easily hold large dinner parties comfortably and instyle. The room is panelled throughout, incorporating a library and panelled alcoves. The bay window gives views over the patio andmagnificent Lime trees. There is a working fireplace with original Delft tiles. A glazed door leads out to the arched loggia and gardens.
THE KITCHEN
The large kitchen possesses dining andfamily seating areas, an AGA, pantry, utilityroom and French doors onto the formallawns.A secondary kitchen is located at the otherend of the house off the family sitting roomfor convenience and to facilitate entertainingoutside in the Loggia. There is a furtherkitchen in the cottage at the other end ofthe house.
BEDROOMS
There are 11 bedrooms (5 ensuite) and 1 single bedroom. Thisincludes 3 bedrooms at the cottage endof the house.The master bedroom is situated at thetop of the main staircase throughdouble mahogany doors. Splendid highceilings and a southerly aspect makethis a very bright and spacious room.There are full length fitted wardrobesand an en-suite bathroom. DoubleFrench doors lead onto a private largebalcony with views over the formallawns and further gardens.A glass study adjacent to the masterbedroom gives extensive views over thefront gardens.Bedrooms 4 & 5 share a south-eastfacing balcony overlooking the sunkengarden.
GARDENS AND GROUNDS
The gardens of Castletop House havebeen planted over a 100 year period andwould be impossible to replicate in a lifetime. The house comes with approx. 6.5acres including ¾ acre kitchen gardenwith a large green greenhouse and store.The south facing gardens consist ofmature herbaceous borders surroundingformal lawns and provide a beautifulsetting for the house. The borders havebeen professionally designed and wellstocked with a large variety of shrubsand perennials.There are many seating areas on theterraces connecting paved walks, aswimming pool and an elevated woodendeck. Sweeping lower lawns lead down towoodland gardens.The lower woodland garden has specialand rare flowering rhododendrons,azaleas and mature rare trees, underplanted with daffodils and bluebells. Oneparticularly stunning, deep redrhododendron has been named after thehouse.With direct access to the forest Castletopmakes an ideal equestrian home.There is also an option to acquire afurther 4 acres of adjoining ancientwoodlands, rare rhododendrons andspecimen trees.
STABLES
The converted stable complex consists of a kitchen & breakfast room, sitting room, 3 bedrooms, bathroom and cloakroom with its own enclosed garden.
TRANSPORT LINKS
Castletop House is just 20 milesfrom two cosmopolitan sea frontcities, Bournemouth andSouthampton, both withinternational airports and a fullrange of facilities, including hotelsand restaurants, excellent shops,sporting clubs and airports. Thearea has a wealth of secludedbeaches of outstanding beauty witheasy reach and the property is only20 miles (30 mins) away from thesailing hubs of Lymington andPoole.
LOCAL SCHOOLS
There are several excellent private schools in the area (both prep and public schools), including Canford School (Tatler Awards Public School of the Year 2019), Clayesmore, Castle Court School, Durlston Court, Walhampton, Godolphin, Moyles Court, St Swithuns, Winchester School and Forres Sandle Manor.
TENURE
Freehold
Council Tax - House is Band H and Stables are Band A
Note from the team at Stonebridge Shaw
We always aim to ensure our properties are displayed accurately with the photos, floorplans and descriptions provided. However these are intended as a guide and purchasers must satisfy themselves by viewing the property in person.
Tenure: Freehold
THE PROPERTY
Recognised as one of the foremost properties in the New Forest, Castletop House is a fine Late Victorian country house with a total living area of about 12,000 sq/ft, set in grounds of 6.5 acres with the possibility to purchase a further 4+ acres of adjoining ancient woodlands, rare rhododendrons and specimen trees. Lovingly restored by its present owners to modern standards, it has lost none of its original charm or period features, including large sash windows, panelling, high ceilings and solid oak floors throughout. Grand proportions with a south facing aspect give the house a light and airy feel.
OPTIONAL FURTHER LAND
Two further lots are available. Lot 2 has 4+ acres of adjoining ancient woodland gardens and Lot 3 is a grazing field of 10 acres. In total an additional 18 acres is possible (all by separate negotiation).
SITUATION
Castletop House is situated on the edge of the picturesque village of Burley in the heart of The New Forest National Park, yet is still only 90 miles from London via the M3. Bournemouth and Southampton airports are easily accessible. Fast trains to London are close by at Southampton and Brockenhurst. The New Forest is amongst the most desirable locations in the UK, renowned for its lifestyle and natural beauty. With direct forest access, Castletop House is ideal for equestrian activities and offers total privacy. Burley itself is an established centre for walking, cycling, fishing and riding. It is a lively community with its own golf course, village pubs and gourmet restaurants. The property is 3 miles from the market town of Ringwood, which boasts all modern conveniences including all amenities, leisure facilities and boutique shops.
MEETING TODAY'S ENERGY REQUIREMENTS
When Castletop House was restored, the restoration was done to make the house energy efficient and cost effective to run to the standards of today.
Almost all the external walls were drylined with 50 mm of high-density insulation. Floors and ceilings were also insulated to a high standard. All new windows are either triple or double glazed.
There is a 3-phase electricity supply and cabling ready for future heat pumps.
The radiators were sized with heat pumps in mind. There are also water based solar panels to preheat the heating system and 3 log fires.
ACCOMMODATION
DRAWING ROOM
The drawing room is perfect for grand entertaining. Guests glimpse the room from the entrance hall through folding panelled doorsbefore entering this beautiful and impressive room (28ft x 26ft). Light streams in through three sets of double French doors leadingonto the formal lawns.
THE DINING ROOM
Extravagant proportions continue into the dual aspect dining room, which can easily hold large dinner parties comfortably and instyle. The room is panelled throughout, incorporating a library and panelled alcoves. The bay window gives views over the patio andmagnificent Lime trees. There is a working fireplace with original Delft tiles. A glazed door leads out to the arched loggia and gardens.
THE KITCHEN
The large kitchen possesses dining andfamily seating areas, an AGA, pantry, utilityroom and French doors onto the formallawns.A secondary kitchen is located at the otherend of the house off the family sitting roomfor convenience and to facilitate entertainingoutside in the Loggia. There is a furtherkitchen in the cottage at the other end ofthe house.
BEDROOMS
There are 11 bedrooms (5 ensuite) and 1 single bedroom. Thisincludes 3 bedrooms at the cottage endof the house.The master bedroom is situated at thetop of the main staircase throughdouble mahogany doors. Splendid highceilings and a southerly aspect makethis a very bright and spacious room.There are full length fitted wardrobesand an en-suite bathroom. DoubleFrench doors lead onto a private largebalcony with views over the formallawns and further gardens.A glass study adjacent to the masterbedroom gives extensive views over thefront gardens.Bedrooms 4 & 5 share a south-eastfacing balcony overlooking the sunkengarden.
GARDENS AND GROUNDS
The gardens of Castletop House havebeen planted over a 100 year period andwould be impossible to replicate in a lifetime. The house comes with approx. 6.5acres including ¾ acre kitchen gardenwith a large green greenhouse and store.The south facing gardens consist ofmature herbaceous borders surroundingformal lawns and provide a beautifulsetting for the house. The borders havebeen professionally designed and wellstocked with a large variety of shrubsand perennials.There are many seating areas on theterraces connecting paved walks, aswimming pool and an elevated woodendeck. Sweeping lower lawns lead down towoodland gardens.The lower woodland garden has specialand rare flowering rhododendrons,azaleas and mature rare trees, underplanted with daffodils and bluebells. Oneparticularly stunning, deep redrhododendron has been named after thehouse.With direct access to the forest Castletopmakes an ideal equestrian home.There is also an option to acquire afurther 4 acres of adjoining ancientwoodlands, rare rhododendrons andspecimen trees.
STABLES
The converted stable complex consists of a kitchen & breakfast room, sitting room, 3 bedrooms, bathroom and cloakroom with its own enclosed garden.
TRANSPORT LINKS
Castletop House is just 20 milesfrom two cosmopolitan sea frontcities, Bournemouth andSouthampton, both withinternational airports and a fullrange of facilities, including hotelsand restaurants, excellent shops,sporting clubs and airports. Thearea has a wealth of secludedbeaches of outstanding beauty witheasy reach and the property is only20 miles (30 mins) away from thesailing hubs of Lymington andPoole.
LOCAL SCHOOLS
There are several excellent private schools in the area (both prep and public schools), including Canford School (Tatler Awards Public School of the Year 2019), Clayesmore, Castle Court School, Durlston Court, Walhampton, Godolphin, Moyles Court, St Swithuns, Winchester School and Forres Sandle Manor.
TENURE
Freehold
Council Tax - House is Band H and Stables are Band A
Note from the team at Stonebridge Shaw
We always aim to ensure our properties are displayed accurately with the photos, floorplans and descriptions provided. However these are intended as a guide and purchasers must satisfy themselves by viewing the property in person.
Tenure: Freehold
