A rare opportunity has arisen to buy a castellated former watch tower situated in an acre of parkland setting, with magnificent views overlooking the deer park of Melton Constable Hall.
The Bath House, a Grade II star listed building, thought to have been converted by famous landscape gardener Capability Brown to become a castellated folly to the park and the main house, is for sale, partially restored, for a guide price of £595,000 with Savills.
The property dates to at least 1674 when it can be seen on an estate map but legend has it that it is even older and that King Henry VIII once bathed in it with his new bride Anne Boleyn. It was remodelled in 1764 with crenellations and its windows were given an arched, Gothic shape.
The two storey structure which includes a six sided, three storey tower was extended in the 19th century and more recently to provide accommodation. It now offers a spacious kitchen/breakfast room with French doors, a delightful drawing room with a distinctive bay and fireplace, and an impressive master bedroom with an en suite. The majority of restorative work has been completed, with further work now required including the installation of a staircase, kitchen, bathrooms, decoration throughout, flooring, and fixture and fittings.
The Bath House is approached through the park, with a right of access over a drive flanked by wrought iron park railings, passing the lake and mature park and through woodland to the drive and parking area of the house. Set in about one acre, the grounds are mainly laid to lawn, with fine specimen trees including cedar and beech, gravelled paths, and bordered by woodland, brick walls or high wrought iron deer fencing.
Ben Rivett, from Savills in Norwich, said: 'This former watch tower offers a unique opportunity to become a family home in a park-like setting.'
The original building may have been a 'standing' or a hunting tower, and has only been known as the Bath House since the 19th century.
The Bath House is going under the hammer at Savills auction on Wednesday, May 9 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in London. For more information contact Savills in Norwich on 01603 229229 or see www.savills.co.uk
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