Apr 24

Apr 24 The Main Wing of This Baroque Mansion is Available for £1.8M

Country Living, Europe, For Sale, Historic, Notable, Market Watch

Just minutes from the centre of Chippenham—but hidden behind high gates and four acres of private gardens—The Ivy offers a rare blend of town access and country calm. Now on the market for £1,800,000 with Inigo, this 5,500 sq ft residence is a masterclass in English high baroque—built in 1728 from golden Bath stone and restored with architectural sensitivity.

Originally commissioned by lawyer and MP John Norris, The Ivy occupies the northern range of the estate and retains its H-shaped plan, layered with classical symmetry and sculptural detail. The façade alone tells a story: ionic pilasters, a triangular pedimented architrave, and a Romanesque arch framed by ivy-carved rainwater heads, still dated 1728.

Inside, the layout balances formal grandeur with contemporary relevance. The drawing and morning rooms are dressed in bolection-moulded panelling and Corinthian pilasters. A sweeping staircase, modillion cornices, and foliated stone chimneypieces recall the property’s baroque lineage without overwhelming it. The kitchen, anchored by a racing green Aga and veined Rojo Bilbao marble, updates tradition with quiet precision.

Upstairs, five bedrooms span two floors, with principal suites facing the gardens and a discreet secondary kitchen forming part of a self-contained apartment. A pair of eaves-level bedrooms and a study/playroom complete the top floor.

But it's the gardens—designed by Julian and Isabel Bannerman—that tip The Ivy into something extraordinary. Set across four acres, their work blurs formal topiary with wild textures, wisteria-draped walls, an orchard, hidden dining terraces, and a heated pool. Despite its central location, the house feels deeply private, cocooned by woodland and a raised berm.

Just five minutes from the Chippenham rail station, with direct links to London Paddington in 70 minutes, and under 30 minutes to Bath, this is English country living for those who value heritage, discretion, and design.