While Downton Abbey fever is dying down a bit, I’m still obsessing on the English countryside and can’t seem to stop myself from looking at real estate listings for country homes that I could never afford to buy. Still, it doesn’t hurt to dream, does it?
Old houses are nothing unusual in England, but this home, the Manor House of Stoke Poges had its origins in pre-Norman times and is mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086. It is old even by British standards. It’s been altered incredibly since that time of course with various wings demolished and rebuilt over the centuries, most of the building currently dates from some time in the 18th century, except for the great hall which goes back to about 1555. The house is over 11,000 square feet, has 7 bedrooms, an East Lodge and West Lodge which are each about the size of my entire home plus a 1000 square foot pool house, all on 10 acres about 30 minutes from London. I won’t even mention the price because, really, does it matter? However, if you’ve just won the lottery you can get more info here. Oh, and that coat of arms over the fireplace? Apparently drawn by Charles I who stayed here while en route to his excecution.
Photos via KnightFrank
immortal pie 