The Firs, Bishops Castle

A truly exceptional opportunity combining a beautiful character cottage, approximately three acres of private grounds, extensive outbuildings, equestrian and smallholding facilities and an established five-pitch Caravan Club certified site providing an additional income stream.

Dating back approximately 300 years, this charming period property has been thoughtfully transformed and considerably upgraded by the current owners, retaining an abundance of original character whilst introducing a stylish, practical and highly versatile modern layout. Improvements include a newly reconfigured open-plan kitchen, impressive orangery, air source heat pump and solar panels.

The accommodation begins with a welcoming front porch leading into the impressive open-plan kitchen, created by the current owners by reconfiguring the original layout to provide a superb central hub to the home. Designed with accessibility in mind, the Sheraton kitchen provides wheelchair-friendly access and features stylish cream Shaker-style cabinetry, a central island with additional storage, Belfast sink with mixer tap positioned beneath a rear-facing window, integrated dishwasher and wine cooler. Dual-aspect windows flood the room with natural light, whilst an exposed ceiling beam and striking patterned splashback tiles in burnt orange and blue add character and individuality. A turning staircase rises directly from the kitchen.

To one side is a beautifully cosy sitting room, centred around a substantial stone inglenook fireplace housing a log-burning stove, with an impressive timber beam above. Exposed ceiling beams, dual-aspect windows and a traditional bread oven within the inglenook further enhance the character of this particularly atmospheric room, which also benefits from a fitted storage cupboard.

The former kitchen has been cleverly repurposed as a generous utility room, fitted with an electric oven, sink with double drainer, plumbing for a washing machine and space for a tumble dryer and additional fridge/freezer. A further porch or boot room leads from here towards the front of the property.

Returning to the kitchen, a spacious and exceptionally light dining room provides an excellent entertaining space, with exposed ceiling beams and bi-fold doors opening into the impressive orangery. The same attractive stone-tiled flooring flows through these adjoining rooms, creating a wonderful sense of continuity.

The orangery is a particular highlight of the property, spanning the full width of the dining room and sitting room and providing a superb additional reception space. Bi-folding doors connect the orangery with the dining room, with further bi-folding doors opening into the sitting room, while double doors lead out into the gardens. Extensive glazing creates a wonderfully light-filled room with spectacular views across the private grounds, making this an ideal space for relaxing, entertaining or simply enjoying the surrounding countryside throughout the seasons.

Also on the ground floor is a beautifully appointed bathroom featuring a freestanding bath with period-style taps, two heated towel rails, WC, vanity basin with storage beneath and a large walk-in shower with both rainfall and handheld shower heads. Built-in dressing and storage cupboards provide excellent space for toiletries and linen.

A ground-floor bedroom offers excellent flexibility and features full-width bespoke Sharps fitted wardrobe doors, incorporating an array of shelving, hanging rails and drawers.

Upstairs are three further bedrooms. The largest has wonderful character, dual-aspect windows and two fitted cupboards, while the third bedroom has an exposed wall beam and rear-facing window. The smallest bedroom is currently used as an office and retains its character beams together with a front-facing window.

Outside, the property is approached through a five-bar gate, opening onto extensive hardstanding providing parking for several vehicles. The cottage is surrounded by beautifully landscaped, country-style gardens, with roses and mature planting creating an attractive setting around the house. A vine bearing miniature grapes grows across the front of the property, complemented by mature wisteria to the other side.

The gardens incorporate a charming pond with water feature and small bridge, vegetable-growing area, greenhouse and potting shed, whilst a variety of established fruit trees including plum, apple, pear and cherry add to the productive nature of the grounds.

Beyond the formal gardens, the land extends to approximately three acres in total and is currently used as a smallholding, with separate areas for pigs and poultry, together with paddock land currently used for grazing horses. The extensive outbuildings include two stables with adjoining tack room, a large hay barn incorporating an animal shelter, further shed and garage, providing an excellent range of facilities for those looking to continue or develop an equestrian or smallholding lifestyle.

Adding a particularly attractive commercial element to the property is the established five-pitch Caravan Club certified site situated towards the bottom of the land. Benefiting from its own separate access, the site enjoys an excellent degree of privacy away from the main residence, with each pitch having access to electricity and water. Currently operated as a viable business, the site provides the opportunity for a purchaser to continue an established income stream alongside enjoying the substantial lifestyle benefits offered by the main property and grounds.

The combination of a historic character home, approximately three acres, equestrian and smallholding facilities, extensive outbuildings and an established caravan business makes this a particularly versatile and unusual property. Whether the appeal is creating a private rural lifestyle, keeping horses, continuing a smallholding, developing the existing facilities or retaining the Caravan Club site as an additional income stream, the property offers considerable flexibility and scope.

Council Tax Band: F (Shropshire Council)
Tenure: Freehold