A 'landmark' Queen Anne house comes up for sale in the heart of a minster town
Cranfield House is a magnificent house for sale that is literally across the road from Southwell Minster.


Ian Marriott of Savills in Nottingham is handling the sale of historic, Grade II*-listed Cranfield House in the minster town of Southwell, a landmark building the Queen Anne design of which was described by Pevsner as ‘the best design of all the Prebendal houses of Southwell… remarkably fashionable for the early 18th century’. Built in 1709 of brick with stone dressings and a hipped slate roof for canon George Mompesson, the house closely resembles nearby Mompesson House, which was built by another member of the family.
Now for sale at a guide price of £2.25m, Cranfield House boasts a wealth of period detail throughout, including its original grand staircase, wood panelling and fireplaces.
It offers manageable accommodation on three floors, with three reception rooms, a large breakfast room/kitchen and a range of additional rooms on the ground floor; a spacious master-bedroom suite and two further bedrooms on the first floor; and a further three bedrooms and a fully fitted bathroom on the second floor.
Cranfield House was originally known as Oxton One, the grandest of nine remaining large houses built over time for the Prebenderies, or canons, of Southwell Minster, whose income derived from the revenues of local parishes, known as prebends.
When the Chapter of Southwell Minster was dissolved in 1841, it was decided that the prebend system should also be wound up. Thereafter, as each canon died, his house was sold and his prebend became extinct. The Chapter finally came to its appointed end on February 12, 1873, with the death of the Revd Thomas Henry Shepherd, rector of Clayworth and prebendary of Beckingham.
Acquired in 2006 by a local businessman who is now looking to downsize, Cranfield House stands in the centre of its 1¾ acres of grounds and offers exceptional convenience combined with a high level of privacy, thanks to its high walled and gated entrance, private walled garden and landscaped gardens planted with a variety of splendid mature trees, including stands of beech trees and silver birch, with a line of mature lime trees to the eastern boundary.
The original coach house, a substantial building housing garaging and loose boxes, is thought to have scope for a range of alternative uses, subject to planning.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Cranfield House is for sale via Savills — see more details and pictures.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Credit: Strutt & Parker
Best country houses to rent across Britain
Renting doesn't have to mean compromising on space, style or history.
-
‘To this day, it is as attractive as when Hercules first laid eyes on it’: How to escape the crowds on the Amalfi Coast, according to those in the know
The Amalfi Coast is one of the world’s most famed holiday destinations, but, in recent years, mass tourism has made parts of it unbearable. Here’s our guide to making the most of it — in peace and in style.
By Luke Abrahams Published
-
The garden created by a forgotten genius of the 1920s, rescued from 'a sorry state of neglect to a level of quality it has not known for over 50 years'
George Dillistone’s original Arts-and-Crafts design at Knowle House, East Sussex, has been lovingly restored and updated with contemporary planting. George Plumptre tells more; photography by Clive Nichols.
By George Plumptre Published
-
A spectacular tower for sale that's a blend of Victorian folly, architectural marvel and 21st century family home
Hadlow Tower has space, and a back story of love, jealousy and intrigue.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A spectacular, light-filled home on the Isle of Wight where you can see the water from practically every window
Penny Churchill takes a look at the grand and impressive Fishbourne Quay House.
By Penny Churchill Last updated
-
The former stables — and recording studio for the Pet Shop Boys — transformed with a magical blend of city and country aesthetic, now seeking a new owner
In the heart of Clerkenwell, what was once a Victorian industrial unit is now a beautiful home.
By Toby Keel Last updated
-
The Good Life 2025? A development promising 'Britain's greenest homes' blends zero carbon, organic allotments and a touch of luxury in the Kent countryside
Hartdene Barns, sitting on a disused dairy farm in Kent, is a vision of what sustainable living one day mean for all of us.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
Breathtaking views and gardens that run down to the water's edge at this delightful home in Cornwall
The Garden House in Polruan sums up the appeal of waterside living. Penny Churchill steps inside.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A 500-acre estate that spent 11 centuries in the same family, for sale for only the second time in its history
In the beautiful hills of north Wales the Garthewin estate has come up for sale, including a great country house once restored by the architect who created Portmeirion. Penny Churchill takes a closer look.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
'The city has always held an important creative space within our design studio': A luxury townhouse in Tokyo, courtesy of Aston Martin
A new four-storey property in the Omotesandō district is the first single home private residence by the British ultra-luxury performance brand.
By James Fisher Published
-
The Mediterranean Magic of Malta
With historic charm, picture-perfect beaches and a welcoming approach to newcomers, Malta represents an appealing option for Mediterranean property hunters. Holly Kirkwood reports.
By Holly Kirkwood Published