'One of the finest houses in Herefordshire' is up for sale, with breathtaking views across the countryside
This sympathetically-restored six-bedroom property boasts a unique ‘orangery’ with a first-floor seating area to enjoy the panorama.


If you’re after a bucolic bolthole, cast your eye over Belgate House. This six-bedroom country house is nestled in just over nine acres of rolling Herefordshire countryside, offering panoramic views and plenty of privacy from prying eyes.
The sprawling property is on the market with a guide price of £2.75 million. That's a lot for this part of the world — the 14-bedroom North Manor Park is listed at £2m, for example — but Belgate's agents, Strutt & Parker, call this house 'one of Herefordshire’s finest', citing its ‘spectacular views' and the fact that it's a 'beautifully-finished country house.'
We certainly can't contradict them on those views: from inside and outside, this is clearly a place which has been built from the start to make the most of the location.
Inside, Belgate House has been restored and extended to create a modern, family home with high-end fittings and interiors. Think bespoke joinery, marble fireplaces and bold wallpaper... and there's no point ignoring the fact that for some, it might be overly bold. It has to be said that there is a fair bit of lilac.
Still, at least you won't have to worry about changing it: the property is not listed, so there is plenty of scope to make it your own — and even develop it further, assuming you get the green light for any necessary consents.
Belgate House has a spacious drawing room and library as well as an open-plan dining, sitting and snug area, all of which lead off the main hall.
It also has a fully kitted out kitchen, complete with mahogany units, granite worktops and an electric three-oven Aga. Tucked away beyond the kitchen is a walk-in larder, utility room with a freestanding island, two cloakrooms and an office, plus a wine cellar downstairs.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
The property has been modelled to make the most of its picturesque surroundings. One of its standout features is a unique two-storey orangery, which has a cast iron mezzanine floor installed to create a walkway that leads to a seating area with spectacular views of the countryside.
Meanwhile, several rooms on the ground floor, including the drawing room, library, kitchen and orangery, boast double doors that open outside.
Belgate House has six bedrooms upstairs, one of which has been transformed into a generous dressing room packed with custom-made joinery.
Beyond the main house, there’s an indoor swimming pool — surely one of the most sought-after features in a property? And for those with green fingers, there’s landscaped gardens, a potting shed as well as a greenhouse and fruit cage adjacent to a small orchard.
Belgate House has various outbuildings, including large oak-framed barns that are ripe for development. The grounds also include south-facing terraces, two enclosed courtyards, and stables alongside woodland and paddocks.
The main house and outbuildings sit at the end of a long private drive. Shobdon village is two miles away, while Leominster train station is around 10 miles away.
Belgate House is located in a particularly scenic part of the country, sandwiched between the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales.
Belgate House is on the market via Strutt & Parker with a guide price of £2.75 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.
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
-
Graham Norton's elegant East London home hits the market, and it's just as wonderful as you would expect
The four-bedroom home in Wapping should be studied for how well it uses two separate spaces to create a home of immense character and utility.
By James Fisher Published
-
Sign of the times: In the age of the selfie, what’s happening to the humble autograph?
When Ringo Starr announced that he was no longer going to sign anything, he kickstarted a celebrity movement that coincided with the advent of the camera phone and selfie. Rob Crossan asks whether, in today’s world, the selfie holds more clout than an autograph?
By Rob Crossan Published
-
Graham Norton's elegant East London home hits the market, and it's just as wonderful as you would expect
The four-bedroom home in Wapping should be studied for how well it uses two separate spaces to create a home of immense character and utility.
By James Fisher Published
-
About time: The fastest and slowest moving housing markets revealed
New research by Zoopla has shown where it's easy to sell and where it will take quite a while to find a buyer.
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
-
A wisteria clad hall built by one of the founders of the Bank of England
Come for the history of Old Hall. Stay for the interesting interiors.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River Tay
Carnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
By James Fisher Published
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producers
Stormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in Kent
North Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
By James Fisher Published
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streets
This six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
By James Fisher Published