Location

Apley Hall is approached along a stunning scenic drive winding through the parkland to a private automatic gate.

The property benefits from stunning views over the river Severn view beyond, affording the house an idyllic and peaceful setting. Whilst rural, the house is close to the village of Norton, approximately 1.1 mile, has access to the renowned Apley Farm Shop and the pretty market town of Bridgnorth, about 7 miles, for day-to-day amenities.

Bridgnorth is famed for the oldest and steepest inland funicular railway which has been operating since 1892 and links the high and low towns. Telford and access to the M54, is 11 miles away and provides onwards travel to the Midlands business centres and the wider road network.

Regional Airports include Birmingham, Manchester and East Midlands.

Description

Apley Hall is the principal house of the stunning Apley Park, standing in the privacy of Apley Estate’s glorious rolling parkland, with an outlook over the River Severn. The hall boasts an impressive 15,600 sq ft of accommodation and is approached down a beautiful long driveway affording the house a peaceful and quiet setting.

Whilst rural, the house is close to the village of Norton and has access to the pretty market town of Bridgnorth (7 miles) and Telford (7 miles) from where the M54 provides onwards travel to the midlands business centres and the wider road network. Regional Airports include Birmingham, Manchester and East Midlands.

The history of Apley Hall goes back to 1811, when the building was complete. It has since been used as a family home, and a boarding school. The hall was divided into 5 mansion houses; Apley Hall, The Garden House, The Georgian House, The Library House and The Courtyard House, which shares 16 acres of stunning communal gardens.

Apley Hall is the principal part of one of Shropshire’s most important country houses. Predominantly built with Grinshill stone in a Gothic style, the exterior features battlemented parapets and mullioned windows. Grade II* listed Apley Hall is supremely elegant and has been lovingly restored by renowned historic architect Martin Ebelis to offer light and gracious living accommodation with luxurious modern day comforts.

The interior contains beautifully balanced state rooms with ornate plaster and fan vaulted ceilings, cornices, panelling and deep casement sash windows through five reception rooms, which frame stunning parkland views. Of particular note is the central monumental staircase spanning three storeys and lit by the decorative cupula. Upstairs, the house of arches and decorative details reveals the principal bedroom suite with sitting room, two fireplaces, ensuite bathroom and views across the parkland through the deep bay windows, billiard room and further bedrooms. At the top of the back staircase, lit by a further cupula, is an attractive bedroom with archway to kitchenette and shower room suitable for ancillary accommodation.

Gardens

Apley Hall is approached through private wrought iron electric gates to a gravel driveway which sweeps up to the front of the house to its impressive arched portico. To the front of the property lies the east facing formal lawned garden which is edged by a low wall and ha-ha opening to stunning views of the beautiful parkland beyond. In the southerly corner of the garden is a substantial wooden pergola perfect for outdoor dining and entertaining.

There are 16 acres of communal gardens and grounds to enjoy with a stunning backdrop of the Shropshire countryside, and private gardens within Apley Hall.

History

The house was commissioned by Thomas Whitmore in 1811 just after the Napoleonic Wars and was designed to emulate a romantic castle overlooking the River Severn. The Whitmore family were iron founders at the time that Shropshire was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The layout of the Park was carried out about 1820 to the design of the landscape architect William Webb. Apley Hall is believed to be the inspiration behind P.G. Wodehouse’s famous novel Blanding’s Castle. He stayed briefly at the Hall and his visit inspired many novels featuring Lord Emsworth, Jeeves and Wooster.

The existing Georgian style house was remodelled during the Regency period in Neo-Gothic style between 1808 and 1811 for Thomas Whitmore. It incorporated a faux chapel, hexagonal turrets and battlements.

In 1962 the hall became a state secondary modern boarding school run by Shropshire County Council and remained so until its closure in 1987.

Directions

From Junction 4 M54 take the A464 to Shifnal. On reaching the roundabout take the third exit and at the second roundabout take the A4169 before branching right onto the A454 passing through
Brockton. At the roundabout take the second exit onto the A442 towards Bridgnorth. After a short distance enter the village of Norton and take the right hand turn into Cheswardine Lane. The lane continues straight through to the driveway which sweeps through the parkland to Apley Hall.