Fairytale tower up for sale

The tower at Apley Park, near Bridgnorth is set in 17 acres of communal parkland. The property is set out over four floors and is now up for sale for £350,000.

Peering through the exposed brickwork archway, it's easy to see why the property is described as gothic - the looming tower is at night reminiscent of a Brontë novel, yet by day, appears like something from a classic fairytale.

The tower is the old stable block for Apley Hall - a gothic revival house located in Stockton, Shropshire. The hall was completed in 1811 with adjoining property of 180 acres of private parkland beside the river Severn. It was once home to the Whitmore, Foster and Avery families. The Hall is a Grade II listed building and is one of the largest in Shropshire. It has previously been reported that Hitler at one stage wanted to make the Hall his home following his intended invasion of Britain. Previous visitors to the hall include royalty to the author PG Wodehouse who wrote about fictional location Blanding Castle which reflects some of the details on show at the hall. The tower was partly restored and refurbished in 2001.

The turrets at the top of the tower, the crucifix worked into the brickwork and the ticking tower clock above a paned glass window show the character and detail of the building from first glance.

The interiors are by contrast, very simple, with all white walls giving the Tower a modern feel, suggesting that whoever buys it, would be able to simply move straight in.

Even the bedrooms get the fairytale touch in the property, as four stone mullion crucifix windows are a centre point of the fourth floor master bedroom. The exposed brick windows also give a 360 degree views over the Apley Estate. The master bedroom also boasts an ensuite bathroom.

In keeping with the gothic theme, on the first floor there is a living room complete with gothic windows and a wood-burner. The family bathroom and a bedroom/study are also to be found on the first floor.

The dining hall also has a vaulted ceiling and panoramic glass frontage. The kitchen boasts a black granite worktop in keeping with the gothic style and all appliances are in-built.

Ascending to the second floor a further bedroom is currently configured as two bedrooms, plus an en-suite bathroom.

Speaking about the property, Scott Kemsley of agent Balfours who is responsible country house sales said: "This is a very unique and well-presented property, situated within a courtyard, with fantastic parkland walks. The facilities of Bridgnorth and Telford are both within an easy commute, as are the major road networks."

For more information on the property, call Scott Kemsley on 01743 353511 or visit www.balfours.co.uk.