7 bed detached house for sale Church Lane, Warblington, Havant, Hants PO9

In the parish of Warblington, on Langstone Harbour, a beautiful, Grade II listed, Restoration country house and historic Tower standing in about 4 acres of lovely gardens and grounds including the fascinating moat.Warblington Castle is a wonderfully unique, stone Manor House, of generous proportions, standing within about 4 acres of beautiful and well-tended gardens that include a swimming pool, outbuildings, a lovely old granary on staddlestones, a vegetable garden, fruit trees and a stunning moat (dry) together with an historic Tower and part of the original Castle gateway.The house itself has masses of space, perfect for a family, and includes many period features in the form of old, stone flagged floors, huge fireplaces and much exposed timbering. The rooms on the ground floor include a large drawing room, family sitting room, dining room, kitchen / breakfast room, a generous study and a spacious inner hall, as well as various capacious utility areas and useful cellars. On the first floor, a fabulous, 30ft gallery gives access to 4 of the bedrooms and 3 of the bathrooms, and on the second floor, the principal bedroom has fine views across the countryside to the harbour. Viewing is highly recommended.Historical Note: Records stretch back to pre-12th century, but in 15th century, the property was owned by Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, ('Warwick the Kingmaker') during the Wars of the Roses, who originally had a deer park created there. Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury was given the property by Henry VIII 1515 and she built the castle, but, after falling out of favour with the King, Margaret Pole lost Warblington Castle and it passed eventually to Sir Edward Cotton, a royalist. During the Civil War, the Castle was mostly destroyed by Parliamentary forces leaving only the hexagonal gate tower, an archway and the moat. After the Restoration, the property was returned to the Cotton Family by Charles II when the current beautiful house was built.Warblington Castle occupies a delightful and private position between Emsworth and Langstone, close to the shores of Langstone Harbour. It is possible to walk easily along the shore in both directions to the pubs of both villages, both of which have thriving sailing clubs. Local shopping facilities at Emsworth or Havant (including a Waitrose and an M&S) are a short drive away, as is a Railway station with services to London (Waterloo). The (mostly) calm waters of the harbour provide delightful opportunities for sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding and there are many miles of lovely public footpaths around the harbour and on The South Downs, from which to enjoy the surrounding countryside.(All distances and times are approximate)