Chance to live in a “stately home” for �2,300 a week

AN historic Axe Valley manor house, which boasts the largest fireplace in England, is set to become a new hot spot for VIP tourists.

Shute Barton, near Axminster, is being hired out to families who want to live the high life – for a cool �2,300 a week.

The ancient building has been transformed by the National Trust to become their grandest and oldest holiday property.

The medieval manor house dates back to the 13th century and is part of what was a larger family house owned by the Bonville family.

It has stood through a staggering amount of history from the dissolution of the monasteries through to the Second World War.

The house – with a fireplace so large that two oxen could be roasted at once - was given to the National Trust in 1959 by the Carew Pole family. Cousins of this family, the Pole Carews, lived there until 2009.

Gareth Dempster, holiday cottages supervisor for the National Trust, said: “It became clear that the house required some extensive renovation work including stonework restoration to the battlements outside and new heating, electrics and decoration inside. After two years of hard work, we are proud that the house still retains its fine original features.

“The Trust decided that making Shute Barton a place where people can stay and enjoy holidays was a great solution to keeping it a family home, as it has been over 500 years.”

The house, which accommodates up to 10 people, will be open for bookings from February. Guests can dine under original paintings belonging to the Carew Pole family, sleep in antique beds and look out of the original lead windows to views little altered over the centuries.

The house will still be open to the public at weekends throughout the year.

• Shute Barton accommodates ten people and two dogs are allowed. Prices from �2,367 per week. For more information and to book go to: http://www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk/south_west/south_devon_and_dartmoor/shute_barton/459 or call the booking office on: 0844 8002070