Historic farmhouse to be sold off after owning trust is liquidated

AN historic farmhouse in Herefordshire is set to be sold off after its owning property trust was liquidated.

Wellbrook Manor, at Peterchurch, near Hereford, dates back to the 14th century.

It is one of three historic British properties that are to be sold off after the Vivat Trust, which had its head office at Wellbrook, went into liquidation in August 2015.

Property consultancy Eddisons is marketing the properties, which have all been refurbished internally to create modern living accommodation.

The other properties are: Grade I listed Hadlow Tower, near Tonbridge in Kent – the UK’s tallest folly at 53 metres; and a 15th century timber framed gatehouse in North Yorkshire.

The Vivat Trust, a registered charity and a national building preservation trust, was set up to rescue neglected and dilapidated historic buildings throughout the UK and provide them with a viable new use, such as holiday properties.

However, the trust’s directors called in insolvency firm Begbies Traynor last summer when the charity was hit by financial difficulties.

Now the properties owned by trust have been put up for sale and Eddisons is inviting offers for Wellbrook Manor and the other unique buildings, none of which have been given a guide price.

Abdul Jambo, associate director at Eddisons, said: “Wellbrook Manor and the other properties are of such a unique and historic nature that we have rarely, if ever, seen anything comparable come to the open market.

“Because of this their values are likely to differ wildly depending on the potential buyers, whether they are a charity or a private enterprise. As such we will be leaving this to the market to decide and are looking to receive offers from anyone interested in owning an incredibly special piece of British history.”

Wellbrook Manor is a Grade II* listed farmhouse and has the substantial remains of a medieval hall house, dating from the late 14th century, at its core.

The house’s main surviving medieval elements are the ground floor entrance hall and sitting room which extends to the floor above, with a high ceiling and timber framing. It also has a medieval ‘solar wing’ or dining room, as well as a main bedroom above which has a spectacular roof structure and fireplace.

The Vivat Trust took over Wellbrook Manor in 2011, carrying out a rigorous restoration which was never fully completed. The two-acre estate includes the farmhouse, farm buildings, stone-built garages and a garden studio house.

Manor Cottages, a two-bedroom caretaker residence for Wellbrook Manor, is being marketed for sale separately and is also available via Eddisons.