Countryside Mansion House with all the Quirks of a Fairytale

This beguiling Victorian location house has something for everyone, from fairground fairy tale to beautifully faded French chateau. This historic property nestled in the heart of the South Downs has been designed specifically for photographic stills and film and has amazing props and original features throughout. The as yet un-renovated parts of the house are also accessible and provide a wonderful blank canvas. This expansive property is spread across three floors. On the ground floor there are two stunning reception rooms with high ceilings, beautiful original windows and large marble fireplaces, a sumptuous black panelled snug, an adjoining beautifully chic bar and a verdant Victorian glass orangery. House has 55 acres of thick woodland and roaming open fields with far reaching views across the South Downs. Running through the woods is a beautiful winding stream complete with wood fired hot tub, fire pit and woodland seats. Easily accessible via the A3 from London there is ample parking for crew and production vehicles. There is also a well-appointed kitchen on site. Dunford House is a truly versatile and unique location. Ground Floor Entrance Hall (Flowers) Large double white doors open into the entrance hall with original burgundy marble fireplace, dark mahogony floorboards and a statement bronze crystal chandelier. A breath taking dried flower installation runs from the top of the fireplace, and bursts across the entire ceiling, providing a kaleidoscope of colour and texture upon entry. Reception Room 1 (Waltzer) With its elegantly faded cream walls and a raw cream and pink plastered ceiling, ornate carved cornices, original ceiling rose and a large crystal chandelier, the Drawing Room oozes grandeur. There is a huge floor to ceiling bay window housing an old car, from a fairground Waltzer. Opposite the window there is a large white marble fireplace with a beautiful antique foxed framed mirror. The fire is flanked on either side by two old antique floral Louis sofas with a stunning marble table between them. There is a large beautiful aqua and gold handpainted screen, with Louis style chairs with matching footstool, a unique wooden desk, desk lamp and various props. Dark mahogony floors run through out. Reception Room 2 (Carousel) The Living Room is a fairy tale room full of faded romance, with stunning green degraded walls and a prancing carousel pony in the middle of it. Original features abound with another large fireplace, carved cornices, ceiling rose and an ornate brass chandelier. A row of old velvet theatre seats run across the front of the large floor to ceiling window and there are also two gold and green upholstered tub chairs to lounge on. The Living room and Drawing room both offer unrestricted views over woodland. Orangery (Conservatory) A romantic Victorian glass Orangery with stone floor that’s filled with an abundance of plants, hanging baskets and elegant crystal chandeliers. A cast iron water fountain sits in the centre of the room and is planted with ferns and hanging ivy. Off the Orangery the glass house continues along the back of the house with more lush planting, crystal chandeliers and green and pink upholstered banquette seating which runs the length of the room. The snug and bar can both be accessed from the glass house and are perfect rooms for revelry and escapism. Bar A darkly inviting room with black walls, dark mahogony flooring and a black and gold cocktail bar flanked by two large potted palms. In front of the marble fireplace there is a pink velvet tub chair and a mirrored side table, opposite is a panelled wall painted in pinks and oranges with two brown leather loungers and a striped velvet pouffe. Snug Adjoined to the bar is a dark sumptuous, panelled snug that’s the perfect retreat. A battered leather armchair sits in front of an open fireplace, over which hangs a huge industrial metal mirror. There are also two pink silk tub chairs and a large pink sofa to recline on. Kitchen / Living Room A light and airy open plan kitchen / living room, with limed floorboards throughout, a marble topped island, blue cabinetry and a large open fireplace with copper surround. There is a large flat screen TV above the fireplace and an Abigail Ahern sofa and pouffe in front of the fire. There are two large windows behind the sofa and a door that leads out into a courtyard. First Floor All communal corridors and staircases from the ground floor are left as a blank canvas. Open for any brief, painting, etc. Derelict bedroom 1 – Stripe wallpaper A derelict bedroom above the kitchen courtyard with kitch original laura Ashley style peeling striped and flowered wallpaper, an old Victorian fireplace, a small armchair and a mirrored dressing table. Derelict Bedroom 2 – Crest wallpaper Another raw unrenovated room with Victorian fireplace, gold mirror and a weathered Louis style armchair in the corner. This room has rural views across the South Downs. There are 32 dormitory style bedrooms in total all of which have been left completely unrenovated, left to the imagination. Second Floor Spiral staircase An old cast iron spiral staircase in an undecorated and atmospheric room. The Grounds House offers a multitude of options for shooting outside with 55 acres of thick woodland and roaming open fields and far-reaching views across the South Downs. Running through the woods is a beautiful shallow winding stream and nestled next to it is a romantic fire pit area with wood fired hot tub, fire pit, woodland seating and a swing. To the side of the house in more woodland, there is an original Sussex stone perimeter wall and a beautiful set of mossy stone steps with wrought iron gates. The steps lead up to a set of delightfully degraded antique doors that perch amongst the trees. Plenty of features to shoot both externally and internally.