Want To Live In A Historic Cotswold Manor Without The Faff?

It’s all well and good dreaming of life in a historic Cotswold manor house, but the painstaking challenge of maintaining these honey-hued homes means the reality is often less idyllic. Unless you have staff on hand to keep your ballrooms suitably dust-free or a big-enough budget to maintain the gargoyles, your once dreamy home may start looking a little worse for wear. 

But there is a loophole, a way to live out your manor dreams without the faff of maintenance. The answer? Renting. As Louise Nicholson, head of south west UK lettings at Savills explains: ‘The increased tax burden coming down the line and rising maintenance costs for these larger, often historic, properties often equate to unpredictability and means that the certainty of a tenancy agreement where costs are largely fixed has become increasingly attractive.’ A prospect particularly attractive to those who own property in London but desire a part-time country residence, she adds: ‘Renting offers the prestige of a trophy property, particularly if it’s a picturesque manor house, without the potential headache.’

Where Nether Swell Manor was once a grand estate with a full-time cleaning schedule, it has since been divided up into four, still sizable but more manageable, country homes. And now 1 Nether Swell is available to rent.

The History Of Nether Swell Manor

Though only built in 1903, the weathered stone and intricate carvings of Nether Swell Manor possess the charm of a property much older than its years. 

Aside from the on-site Farmhouse which dates back to the late 18th century (done up with all the quoins, old stone, and gables of the era) the primary Nether Swell Manor Estate was first dreamt up by Edwardian Arts and Crafts architect Sir Guy Dawber.

Drawing inspiration from the historic farmhouse, the manor was done up in a 17th century Renaissance revival style. And its first owners clearly had taste: the property was originally built for art historian Sir John Murray Scott who was the principal advisor and secretary to Lady Wallace of the now renowned London landmark, the Wallace Collection at Hertford House – plus his brother Walter Montagu Scott, a slightly less dazzling London stockbroker. Constructed in two stages between 1903 and 1909, the house was fully established by 1912.

It was only for a brief few decades, however, that Nether Swell Manor was occupied as a single private residence. Much like this Shropshire manor house turned boarding school which recently hit the market, in 1945 Nether Swell manor was converted into a boarding school too.

Looking to restore it back to its former glory, in 1998 the Manor House and estate were purchased by renowned house builder Charles Church who divided the original manor into four substantial country homes, and built eight additional properties throughout the grounds.

Inside 1 Nether Swell

Approached via a long shared circular drive, the Grade II listed manor house makes an impressive entrance. Stepping inside 1 Nether Swell Manor, you are greeted by generous proportions, a grand reception hall and an even grander ballroom complete with high ceilings, open fireplaces and bay windows which flood the space in natural light. 

From here, there is a further reception room ideal as a study, snug or informal sitting room, and a bespoke kitchen fitted with custom cabinetry, twin gas ovens and a dining area. Meanwhile upstairs boasts a principal bedroom suite with a dressing room, en suite bathroom and far-reaching countryside views, plus four additional bedrooms.

Set within 25 acres of communal grounds, the gardens span woodland, four natural fed ponds, an arboretum and formal lawns with seating and entertaining areas all enjoying vistas of the rolling countryside across the beautiful Dikler Valley. 

The house itself is located just a mile south from the market town of Stow-on-the-Wold in the heart of the celeb-loved Cotswolds. Standing high in the Cotswold Hills, the town is famous for its quintessential honey-coloured buildings and cobbled streets.

Available to rent for £11,500 per month, with gardening services available at an additional £12,000 per annum. Find out more at search.savills.com