Reference
Z449/1/4
Title
Sale catalogue of Clifton Manor
Date free text
Aug 1990
Production date
From: 1990 To: 1990
Scope and Content
Sale catalogue of Clifton Manor, Stanford Lane, Clifton.
- agents: Lane Fox, 66 High Street, Harpenden [Hertfordshire];
- description: "Clifton Manor is the major portion of a Grade II listed property which dates back to 1390. It is built on a site which is listed in the Domesday Book as the Manor of Lacies. Today the property is a substantial part moated home opposite the local cricket green and one that enjoys a quite enviable position. The property undoubtedly offers an impressive level of accommodation including bright and substantial reception rooms in addition to seven bedrooms, a dressing room and three bathrooms. Almost every room offers a combination of either great size and or important historical and architectural features. Clifton Manor is, without question, one of the most fascinating houses - architecturally or historically - to be sold in Bedfordshire this year. Clifton Manor is listed in the Domesday Book as the Manor of Lacies. The present property was built on the same site in 1390 and a Deed of ownership was granted to the Prior of the Hospital of St.John of Jerusalem in 1397. This was a reward for the Knight Hospitallers who had at first escorted pilgrims from the coast to Jerusalem, and subsequently looked after crusaders from Cyprus to England. During the reign of the Lancastrians and the War of the Roses, the Manor remained a grant to the same religious order. When the Tudors were on the throne, the property was maintained for what is now the Church of England. In 1620 the manor was obtained by Walter Rolt who thereafter commissioned a troop of horses to support Cromwell in 1644. In 1652, the decline of the estate started with the sale of the land in the direction of Stanford. Ownership of the Manor then alternated between physicians and the clergy. When William of Orange was on the throne, major extensions were built on to the original main house. In 1706 the Queen Anne staircase was installed; In1810 the whole façade was rendered covering the wooden frame and the Georgian type French doors and internal arches and columns were installed. In 1850 the west wing was added, however by 1910 the Lodge, armoury and Home Farm has been disposed of leaving the Clifton Manor estate reduced to some 5 acres. During World War I the Australian cavalry were billeted in the stables and outhouses; the sergeants in the servants quarters and the Officers in the main house. In 1933, the estate was sold to a clergyman from Northampton and in due course (1965) the servants wing was sold off in addition to the stables and staff cottage. This left the original manor House in about 2 acres of historic wooded and moated land";
- layout: ground floor: reception hall (23 feet 2 inches by 13 feet); E morning room (20 feet 3 inches by 18 feet 7 inches); S library (12 feet 8 inches by 9 feet 10 inches); E cocktail bar (11 feet by 8 feet 8 inches); S dining room (17 feet 6 inches by 15 feet 1 inch); inner hall; S and W drawing room (27 feet by 18 feet); S and E study (13 feet by 9 feet); boiler room; downstairs cloakroom; N kitchen (17 feet 9 inches by 10 feet 8 inches); W and N breakfast room (10 feet 10 inches by 10 feet 4 inches); utility room;
- layout first floor: galleried landing; eight bedrooms; dressing room; inner hall; separate wc; three bathrooms;
- photographs [colour]: exterior rear; hall; landing; bedroom;
- outside: 150 feet long drive; moats; three main sections of garden; orchard; morning or drawing room
- no plans;
- no price;
- for later sale see Z449/1/28
Level of description
item