Swangrove House

As you amble along the country lanes towards Little Badminton village, a tree-lined driveway with vast fields to one side and a large hedge to the other appears announcing your arrival. Ahead is a fabulous vision of what appears to be a small castle. This is Swangrove House, a remarkable 18th-century, Grade I-listed hunting lodge, surrounded by the Estate's woodland and lawns, with one of the best views in the county. This extraordinary house was originally described as a 'maison de plaisance' - a rural retreat for the wealthy and the nobility.

On the ground floor, there's a sunny, contemporary kitchen that leads into an open-plan, dining-living room full of original features, including a beautiful, hand-carved staircase, an open fireplace and exposed timbers, and an antique dining table, a cosy seating area and Smart TV. A spacious bathroom with a separate WC sits on this floor, connecting to the living area and bedroom above. On the first floor is a breathtakingly beautiful drawing room, with double-height ceiling, an open fire, plenty of places to relax, read and converse, and double doors that open to reveal a stunning view. To either end of the first floor sit the two main bedrooms, one with a king-size four-poster and a private staircase to the bathroom below, and the other a king-size double with an antique, statement canopy, which sits next to a contemporary shower room. The impressive oak staircase climbs on up to the top floor and the centrally located, historically significant belvedere, with its early 18th-century interior design. two sets of double, marbled doors open to the third bedroom at one end and a contemporary bathroom at the other.

At the front of Swangrove House sits a large, southwest-facing garden with three lawns divided by low, clipped privet hedges enclosed by a Cotswold stone wall, with an original ornate gate providing the focal point at the very front. The garden can be accessed via the grand, stone stairs leading from the drawing room's double doors or through a garden gate to either side of the house. A wide patio at the rear of the house provides both sunny and shaded spots to enjoy al fresco dining. Alongside the patio is a curving gravel driveway, with parking for up to four cars, which is bordered by a beautiful open, grassy area backed by the Badminton Estate's magnificent mixed woodland.

Ground Floor

Guests enter the house through a rear door, passing down two steps into the kitchen, making the ground floor slightly below the level of the garden, which provides an interesting view of the lawn and the low, manicured hedges.

Kitchen:
The spacious, light and contemporary kitchen, with its bespoke mushroom-grey cabinetry and beautiful oak floor, is fully equipped to include an extra wide, Smart fridge/freezer, a five-ring hob and triple oven, a dishwasher, microwave and washing machine. A double sink sits at the window looking out to the pretty side garden.

Dining-Living Room:
The long history of the house is dramatically evident on walking into this long and wide, dual-aspect room, with its hand-crafted, oak staircase rising to the first floor and descending to the cellar, a solid oak door, painted timbers and two-foot-wide stone windowsills. The dining-living room has practical and stylish sisal carpeting.

The dining area has a large, wooden antique dining table with room to comfortably entertain five guests. A sideboard with an inch-thick marble top sits to one side, while opposite are some handy coat hooks and an umbrella stand.

The living room area is furnished with a three-seater sofa, armchair and antique occasional tables positioned to enjoy a roaring open fire while watching the Smart TV. To either side of the room is an antique dresser, each adorned with a collection of beautiful and colourful plates.

Family Bathroom:
This spacious bathroom, with its beautiful, warm-to-the-foot oak floor, is accessed via the dining-living room or an original, dark oak staircase that rises to the Duchess Bedroom above, making it an ensuite to that room. The main bathroom area has a full-size bath, with a white marble surround and Burlington hand-held shower and tap set, as well as a vanity unit with a wash basin and mirror. Wooden shutters on each window provide privacy when taking a relaxing bath. A door within the bathroom opens to a WC and bidet. An antique marble-topped washstand is a reminder of a bygone era and provides a handy space for personal items.

First Floor

The first floor is accessed from one of two, original, beautifully crafted, wooden staircases that wind up from the dining area to the drawing room and from the family bathroom to the Duchess Bedroom. Alternatively, make an even more impressive entrance up the ten stone steps at the front of the house, which ascend to magnificent wooden doors.

Drawing Room:
This stunning room is the hunting lodge's piece de resistance, with its double-height ceiling and five, leaded, multi-paned windows - three overlooking the woodland to the rear and two on either side of the tall wooden doors, which open to reveal a dramatic view across the Estate's farmland. Guests can relax on the feather-filled, sink-in sofa and armchairs, all positioned around the stunning, marble-encased open fireplace. Or perhaps retire to a corner to sit on one of several, cushioned seats to enjoy a read, a drink or simply absorb the wonderful view. Sisal flooring is mostly covered by an impressively vast Persian carpet, while to one side sits a marble niche - designed by John Harvey - with a marble basin on a pedestal with the mask of a mandarin with a tap in his mouth through which water flows. On a summer's day, throw open the double doors, and sit at the top of the stone steps sipping an aperitif as the sun sets over the garden and fields.

The Vichy Bedroom:
A pretty, double-paned door opens from the drawing room into a small hallway with a second paned door leading into the bedroom. The centrepiece of the room is a statement, king-size, four-poster bed, draped with red and white gingham with antique console tables to each side. In addition, the bedroom has an antique, mahogany tallboy and dressing table, with a stool and mirror. A wide stone window seat is a delightful spot to pull up a cushion and enjoy the view through the leaded windows. A beautiful screen, dating back to the early 1800s, conceals the equally remarkable staircase that descends to the bathroom below.

The Hawkesbury Bedroom:
Sitting at the top of the handsome main staircase is this pretty and light-filled bedroom featuring a king-size bed on an antique, French bedframe, with sweeping curves, cabriole legs, an upholstered headboard and a statement canopy. To either side are bedside consoles, while an antique desk with a pretty swing-back mirror and an occasional table provides plenty of space for personal items. A tall boy sits in one corner, providing hanging space and drawers, and there's an original fireplace (non-working) with a stunning marble surround beside the window.

Family Shower Room:
This contemporary shower room features a walk-in corner shower, with Burlington handheld and rainfall shower heads, a WC, and a wash basin with a mirror above all set on a smooth oak floor.

Second Floor

The staircase's breathtaking workmanship continues unabated to the top floor, with its beautiful wooden steps, banister and spindles rising to a small landing.

Family Bathroom:
The light and bright contemporary bathroom, with a soft, oak floor, has a full-size bath, WC and wash basin. Run a relaxing bath and enjoy the fantastic view to the front of the house out across the estate.

The Belvedere:
Sitting at the top of the house is the remarkable, dual-aspect belvedere - a centrally located, panelled room of great historical importance due to its intact and unrestored early 18th-century marbling and japanning (a style of decoration that imitated Japanese lacquer work) - and chinoiserie (the then European interpretation of Asian art) of gold leaf flowers, insects and birds. To either side of the room is an antique desk and chair, while a grandfather clock (decorative only) looks on in the corner. The belvedere has stupendous views across the woods and estate - the best place to watch the farming life and equestrian sport unfold below. Tucked away through the Belvedere's double, panelled faux-marble doors, is a third bedroom - or day room - simply furnished with a single divan bed, bedside console with a reading lamp, and an armchair. A wide, stone windowsill provides the perfect spot to sit and enjoy the commanding view to the front of the house. Guests' clothes can be stored in a chest of drawers in the Belvedere.

Outside

Swangrove House has a large, enclosed garden to the front with three lawns divided by low privet hedges, framed by a Cotswold stone wall with an original ornate gate providing the focal point. To either side are two charming 'outhouses' where garden furniture is stored for guests' use. To the rear of the house is a curving patio bordered by a gravel driveway, with parking for four cars (parked end-to-end), while beyond is a wide, horseshoe-shaped grassy area leading to the estate's private woodland.