Stanford, where Shakespeare's Avon flows gently through the park, has been the home of the Cave family, ancestors of the present owner Nicholas Fothergill, since 1430. In the 1690s, Sir Roger Cave commissioned the Smiths of Warwick to pull down the old Manor House and build the present hall, which is a fine example of their work and of the William and Mary period.
The house has a large wood panelled entrance hall and off this is a number of attractive drawing rooms, a dining room and a wonderful ballroom. Each room is filled with family portraits and elegant furniture and yet, the house retains a cosy and welcoming feel. It is both formal and informal and essentially remains a family home. The owners are just finishing a massive refurbishment, which will create a wonderful mix of old world charm combined with modern day comfort.
The flying staircase winds past portraits of the family to the bedrooms with four poster beds and tapestries. Additional bathrooms are being added to bring the house up to 21st Century requirements. The bedrooms are located both upstairs and in the raised basement, which has been completely gutted and restored. There is now a fantastic heating system and plenty of hot water!
Adjacent to the house is an elegant stable block of the same period and a small walled garden. The house overlooks extensive parkland and there is a wonderful north facing lawn that stretches for hundreds of yards. This is a wonderful venue for a corporate or private party and will soon be able to offer up to eight bedrooms for guests wishing to spend the weekend or stay overnight.
