Mavesyn RidwareLichfield, Staffordshire, WS15 3QE

There has been a house at The Old Hall from early times. The Mauvesyns were Lords of the Manor by the first year of the 12th century.
They were locally important knights but died out with the death of Sir Robert Mauvesyn at The Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403. He was the serving High Sheriff of Staffordshire at the time and was the builder of the Gatehouse. The original house dated from about 1140 and was significantly larger with the impressive Gatehouse being the only part remaining. Indeed, the roof timber rings indicate that the timbers were felled in 1391-2.

The shallow dip to the rear of the property suggests that the original house and Gatehouse was originally moated. The majority of the original house was pulled down in 1718 to create the beautiful but smaller house we see today.

The Old Hall was built in 1718 in a classic Queen Anne style, with perfect symmetry with later eighteenth and nineteenth century additions. The house is approached through an arch under the historic Grade I Gatehouse sweeping to the front of the house with far reaching views over farmland. The Old Hall is formal yet manageable and well suited to modern-day living.

In recent years, the house has been informally divided into two parts, to suit family use, but could easily be reincorporated to create one single dwelling.

The principal rooms are elegant and well proportioned, all with fabulous views over differing aspects of the garden.
The front door leads into a charming hall with elegant staircase beyond. To the right is a well-proportioned, partially panelled drawing room with a dining room opposite being a lovely, panelled room with views over the garden. In the Dining Room and on the main staircase are some fine examples of heraldic stain glass. There is a large kitchen opening out into a garden room/conservatory.

Both parts of the house are laid out on three floors with five bedrooms and three bathrooms in the main part. The adjacent guest wing/annexe has a separate drawing room, conservatory and kitchen together with a further four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

THE GATEHOUSE
The Gatehouse is listed Grade I and is undoubtedly of national importance believing to date from 1391/2 and is thought to have the only double crown post in Staffordshire. The timber work within the medieval structure is some of the finest in the country. The Gatehouse could either be used to provide entertaining space or, potentially, as a wedding venue, particularly with St Nicholas' Church within walking distance.

GARDENS & GROUNDS
The house is surrounded by enchanting gardens and grounds, which beautifully complement the house running down to a small stream to the southern side. To the rear of the house is a private Walled Garden and a vegetable garden. There is a grass tennis court. To the west is a very substantial range of outbuildings including an artist's studio. Also is an open fronted garage block for three cars.

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