A grand country residence

Whitton Paddocks near Ludlow is one of the most historic, unique and beautiful homes to be seen in Shropshire.

Thought to be Jacobean in origin, this large, though very welcoming, family home has been extended through the generations to become a splendid three-storey country residence with five bedrooms and a two bedroomed top floor flat.

It is the home of Jane Perks and her two teenage boys, Matthew and David. Jane's husband and the boy's father, Geoff Perks, was tragically killed in a car accident two years ago. He was a well-known author and illustrator.

As Jane and her sons now wish to downsize, they have put Whitton Paddocks up for sale through Nock Deighton for offers around £650,00.

Jane bought Whitton Paddocks with her late husband Geoff three years ago, and since that time she has been heavily involved with the church, including hosting Easter breakfasts, harvest festivals and Christmas fairs.

She said: "The area is fantastic. Everybody is so friendly and there is such a lot going on. It's the centre of everything really. It's very much a community orientated village."

Pictured: the imposing reception hall with wood burning stove in the inglenook and exposed timbers.nextpage

Jane doesn't know too much of the history of Whitton Paddocks, apart from the fact that the original house was said to have been the village rectory. However, neighbour, Dr Joseph Attlee, retired, whose relative was PM Clement Attlee, does. He and his late wife Mary, owned Whitton Paddocks from 1952 to 1988.

Dr Attlee said: "It was part of the Whitton Court Estate up until 1923, I think, when the estate was broken up. Then it was owned by a General Stuart, and it was his wife who did a lot of the landscaping of the garden."

Pictured: an admirable drawing room with wood-burning stove and views across countryside.nextpage

Dr Atlee continues: "It was then owned by Colonel Wallace. It was the house and a black and white cottage next door and a little farm with buildings which are now all converted and the farmyard has got a swimming pool in it, and there were about 45 acres.

"So it was a little estate on its own really with a home farm. Then his son, Ronnie Wallace, who was a notorious master of the Ludlow Hunt sold it to Lady Arthbuthnut who left it to her son Hughie."The imposing reception hall with wood burning stove in the inglenook and exposed timbers.

Pictured: the reception hall with wood burning stove.

Dr Attlee was the next owner. Explaining how he came to own it, Dr Attlee said he was visiting the village and parked his Rolls Royce near the house. Dr Attlee said: "Sir Hughie came haring up the road.

The place had been auctioned. I said 'Did you get a decent price Hughie?' and he said 'Not a bloody bid!' He said you buy the house and I'll sell the land and cottages, which I eventually did." There were two or three owners between Dr Attlee selling it in 1988 and the Perks buying it."

Pictured: the sitting room/morning room with wood-burning stove.nextpage

Jane said that Whitton was very convenient for both Ludlow and Tenbury Wells and the nearby Penny Black Restaurant and Bennetts End pub (both next door to each other at Knowbury) were lovely.

Ludlow School was the nearest big school, there were primary schools at Caynham and Clee Hill. There is a village store at Clee Hill, as well as a paper shop, Swift's bakery and a good fish and chip shop. The area is also well used for country pursuits.

Pictured: the dining room with inglenook fireplace and wood-burning stove.

nextpageThe warm and welcoming kitchen features custom-built units, oil-fired AGA, cupboards, drawers, granite work surfaces, microwave, oven, fume hood, electric hob and dishwasher, utility room/laundry with Belfast sink, cupboards and plumbing. There is also a conservatory and a cellar.nextpage

There are two staircases to the first floor where there's a principal bedroom suite with southerly views across countryside, a wood-burning stove, adjoining dressing room and en-suite bathroom. Bedrooms two, three and four all have a fireplace, and there is also a fifth bedroom and two family bathrooms. nextpage

The picturesque rear landscaped gardens are a particularly fine feature of the property. They comprise a wide gravelled sun terrace, which descends to lawns with well-stocked flowerbeds bordering, shrubs and mature trees. Beyond is a small paddock and purpose-built stable block with two boxes and a tack room.

Whitton Paddocks is up for sale through Nock Deighton for offers around £650,00 - further details from Nock Deighton on 01584 875555.