This property is on the market for £18,500,000, listed with Knight Frank.

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Fit for a gentleman farmer, West Woodyates Manor sits at the heart of a West Country estate spanning 970 acres, within the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Although the Grade II* listed property dates back to the 17th century, the estate itself has a rich history spanning some 5000 years, with an ancient well on the property suggesting a farming settlement in Roman times.

Archaeological discoveries on the estate include Mesolithic flint implements and coins from the reign of Constantine I (272-337AD).

West Woodyates Manor’s facade and beautiful gardens were remodelled in the 18th century by its most illustrious owner, Thomas “Diamond” Pitt.

A former president of the East India Company, Pitt famously smuggled an uncut 410-carat stone out of India back to England, reportedly in the shoe of his son.

The diamond was reportedly discovered in 1698 by a slave in Kollur Mine in the Guntur district and hid it in a wound in his leg. An English sea captain killed the slave and stole the diamond from him, and sold it to an Indian merchant, who sold the diamond to Pitt.

The diamond, known as Le Régent, was considered the purest in the world and was sold in 1717 to Philippe, Duke of Orléans, for £135,000 (tens of millions today).

The diamond would go on to adorn notable French figures, featured in both Marie Antoinette’s hat and Napoleon Bonaparte’s sword. Now on display at the Louvre, the diamond is valued at £48M.

Pitt used his profits to finance the purchase of a number of West Country estates, including West Woodyates Manor, which remained in the family for 3 generations.

The 12-bedroom house offers over 10,000 square feet of living space, featuring fine reception rooms with beamed ceilings and wood-paneled walls and grand wood-burning fireplaces throughout.

The ground floor has particular character, with a wonderful layout of grand rooms to gather and entertain.

Surrounded by beautiful formal gardens, West Woodyates is positioned to enjoy bucolic views of the surrounding parkland.

A 4-bedroom guest house, the Manor Cottage, is connected to the manor house via an underground tunnel added in the 1930s.

The property has a portfolio of let cottages that generates income, in addition to farming.

One of Britain’s finest country estates, the property has 750 acres under cultivation with 37 acres of permanent pasture. Run as a family partnership, the farming enterprise is contracted out, utilizing the best modern growing techniques and agrotech.