Family home has character

When Tony and Christine Stockdale bought White House in the conservation area of Oldbury, near Bridgnorth, nine years ago they did not realise just how much work they had taken on.

Initially believing it just needed some modernisation, they ended up replacing an entire outside wall, taking down most of the ceilings, taking up floors and having the majority of the property rewired.

A stunning new kitchen and two bathrooms were refitted, original beams in an attic floor and cellar were cleaned and treated, and the entire property had new flooring and was redecorated throughout. Fireplaces were replaced in the living room and morning room and the central heating system was also renewed.

After four years of working on the house the Stockdales decided to build a garage block, incorporating a first-floor snooker room. This space could alternatively provide a great office space, and a vast dry cellarage could also be suitable for conversion, subject to permissions.

But White House has so much space already that the Stockdales have not needed to do this.

As the couple now wish to move out further into the countryside, they have put White House up for sale through Lane Fox of Bridgnorth for £800,000 (Details correct at time of publication - January 2007).

A beautifully presented elegant village house, the property’s double-fronted appearance hides its origins. The centre of the house dates back to the 1700s, with the symmetrical front elevation added around 1820.

It has a entrance porch, large entrance hall, drawing room, dining room, sitting room, study, conservatory, dining kitchen, utility, cellar, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, five attic rooms, double garage with snooker room and a walled garden.

Christine said that the property was originally the vicarage to the adjoining St Nicholas’s Church. She said: “When the church sold it, it could not have a name that connected it to the church. This was a condition. Originally it was one big house and in the 1940s it was divided into two.

“White House’s vast accommodation effortlessly flows from the larger-than-average entrance hall. Wide archways lead through to the lavish reception rooms on either side. Both these rooms have high ceilings with cornicing and sash bay windows.

Behind the main reception rooms is a cosy sitting room (originally known as the morning room) and study. There are French doors from the sitting room to the garden plus a set of French doors from the study into the charming conservatory. This room overlooks the main garden.

An inner hall to the rear leads to an impressive dining kitchen with gas-fired Aga and integrated appliances. Behind this room is a god-sized utility room with toilet. A door near the kitchen opens to a flight of stone steps down to the cellar. This is clean, dry and spacious, comprising three chambers. It really is a fine example of what a cellar should be, with wine stores and cold settles.

The first floor has the biggest landing that I have ever seen and features a wide archway mirroring one in the entrance hall below. There are two bathrooms, including a vast family bathroom with bath, shower cubicle and double vanity sinks. All four double bedrooms have built-in wardrobes and dressing table units.

The magnificent second floor with its five attic rooms could be turned into further accommodation, if desired. Each of the five attic rooms have a window or roof light.

Outside a brick drive leads up to the gated parking area and double garage. The neighbouring property has a right of way over the drive. A side gate leads to the main garden with brick paved seating area, lawns, established borders, summerhouse and pond with water feature.

A gravel drive also gives access to the front of the property via a right of way with St Nicholas’ Church, and gives further access to a side garden with wrought iron fencing and an attractive sandstone wall.

White House is an absolutely stunning and unique property set in one of the best areas of Bridgnorth, and it backs on to huge open fields. The walk into town takes just 15 minutes.

Christine said that she and her family had been living in Broseley before moving to White House. She said: “We were moving because of schools. We had been looking for some time and we saw this on the Friday in the Bridgnorth Journal and we came to see it on Saturday morning.”

Christine said that the work to the first and second floor exterior back wall meant that area of the house spent some time being held up by Acro-props. They used the opportunity to have the utility and toilet added. They also replaced a fireplace between the study and conservatory with French doors into it.

She said: “A good percentage of the ceilings also had to come down and be replaced. Two hundred years of dirt also came down with them. It was horrendous. You could see right up to the rafters.”

The beams in the attic floor were steam cleaned and treated. The cellar was sandblasted. Christine said: “I came home one day and I could not see my hand in front of my face.”

The work has been well worth it, as White House is today an immaculately well maintained and decorated property. It is also very spacious and light. It has a warm and friendly atmosphere and is crying out for a family to live in it. Christine said: “It is also a great house for entertaining and in the summer the garden is also fantastic.”

• Further details are available from Lane Fox on 01746 766626.
• Details correct at time of publication - January 2007.