Today I saw a fantastic property going for sale at auction – a freehold vacant Victorian mansion offering 122 bedrooms and three flats – enough to suit most growing families!
Kinmel Hall is an 18 acre country estate located on the edge of Snowdonia National Park and 40 minutes from Chester. Built around 1871/1876, Kinmel Hall is an ornate red brick construction with numerous detailing in the style of a French chateau and was once dubbed the “Welsh Versailles”. The hall offers a built area of circa 80,000 sq ft and is set within formal landscaped and tiered gardens which is surrounded by 3,500 acres of open parkland which was once part of the property.
Originally built as a 52 bedroom mansion with accommodation for 60 (!) live in servants. Of course, if your staffing requirements are not so bountiful in these tighter economic times you could always just preserve the most special of rooms which is included in the hall – a newspaper ironing room!
Having driven down the half mile long surfaced driveway you will arrive at a large wrought iron gateway with stone pillars which enters onto the large gravelled car park forecourt with adjoining stable block and garaging beneath a clock tower and other outbuildings. There is a swimming pool and ice house. Fortunately, there is a secondary access to the rear of the property which is sunken so that tradesmen will not be seen.
The interior of the property offers sumptuous living accommodation where the former glory of it’s lavish grandeur can be seen. The principle rooms are on a grand scale with intricate plasterwork and marble fireplaces.
The property is Grade 1 and part Grade 2 listed and has been used since 1929 for a variety of uses and offers potential for a wide range of future uses. Kinmel Hall benefits from change of use to a hotel (c1) which has recently been renewed, although the planners are keen to see the property brought into beneficial use and will help to achieve this where they can.
With a much reduced guide price of £1.5 million Kinmel Hall will be going to auction on 7 December 2011 with Lambert Smith Hampton although if this is a bit too pricey – you could always buy the Freehold Manorial Title of the Lordship of the Manor of Beoley – which will allow the purchaser to append the title “The Lord/Lady of Beoley” after their name which has a more affordable price guide of £4,500! Available to buy at auction on 8 December 2011