Ombersley Court, a magnificent Grade I-listed country house set in a 39-acre estate in Worcestershire, has many distinguishing features. Among the most notable is that it has never before been offered to the market. Built in 1723-30 for the 1st Lord Sandys, it has remained within the same family for almost 300 years. It is only now that the most recent Lord and Lady Sandys have died without an heir that a buyer is being sought to protect this historic house for future generations.

Approached along a gravel driveway lined by mature rhododendrons, the house is entered through a handsome 19th-century portico. A key feature is the main hall with its double-height ceilings and extensive detailed mouldings and cornicing. Flanking it are two fireplaces with carved timber surrounds and detailed mouldings which bear the family coat of arms.

Other major features on the ground floor are the detailed panelled walls and hardwood cornicing in the drawing room together with a carved pediment above the doorway which leads back into the main hall. The Boudoir is an impressive room with hardwood floors and detailed wooden cornicing and views of the Malvern Hills in the distance.

There are six bedrooms on the first floor, one of which is named after the Duke of Wellington, who stayed here (Lord Arthur Hill, the 2nd Baron Sandys, was one of Wellington’s aides-de-camp at Waterloo). There are 13 additional bedrooms on the top floor and, interestingly, detailed cornicing and remaining fireplaces suggest that these rooms would have been used by members of the household rather than staff.

Within the grounds are Grade II* listed stables set around an open courtyard while an original walled kitchen garden lies just beyond. To the rear is an old pump room, kennels and further outbuildings including an Ice House, which is situated in the south west part of the garden.

Though it's certainly sad that one family's long association with Ombersley Court has come to an end, it is an exciting opportunity for another family to take over the reins.