Sale nears for £6m country mansion

One of the Midlands' most prestigious country houses is on the verge of being sold for more than £6 million, it was revealed today.

Chyknell Hall, near Claverley, is to be sold for only the second time in its near 200-year history.

An English family is poised to take over the historic property, with an exchange of contracts due within days.

It had been on the market for "in excess of £6 million" since March and it is understood to have reached that price.

Owners Simon and Mary Kenyon-Slaney told the Express & Star of their love for the property they have lived in for 42 years and their sadness at leaving as they downsize. The mansion near Wolverhampton features 12 bedrooms, six bathrooms, swimming pool, tennis court and wooded garden.

It has 360 acres of freehold land surrounding it, including 96 acres of Shropshire woodland and a further 509 acres for sports.

The spectacular interior is decorated with ornate plaster cornicing, silk wall coverings and marble fireplaces.

Outside there are beautifully-kept gardens and a woodland walk featuring daffodils and bluebells.

Today Tony Morris-Eyton, from estate agent Savills, said: "A sale has been arranged to a private English family and we're now working very hard on that." The property was built in 1814 and is a Grade II listed Regency house.

The tree-lined drive alone is a third of a mile long, and its walled kitchen garden, heated swimming pool, tennis court and wooded garden set it apart in the property market.

And its new owner will have a lodge, two cottages and three stable flats to look after, alongside farmland and pasture land.

The Kenyon-Slaneys, who raised their three sons there, say they are looking to downsize.

Eton-educated Mr Kenyon-Slaney, aged 79, is a former High Sheriff of Shropshire, chartered surveyor, forester and farmer who was born near Shifnal.