Nestled within the picturesque Shropshire countryside lies Ludstone Hall, a captivating country house and estate spanning 177 acres. Its rich history, architectural splendour, and unique features make it a true gem. Built in 1607, Ludstone Hall stands as a testament to Jacobean architecture. Its moated manor house boasts four grand reception rooms, nine bedrooms, and seven-bathroom/shower rooms. The estate also houses extensive domestic offices, cellarage, and a hidden treasure—an indoor swimming pool with a retractable floor that transforms into a dance space.
What makes this estate different from any other that our agency team have marketed is that Ludstone Hall was once the home of Keith Smith, co-founder of the retail giant Poundland. His entrepreneurial journey began as an apprentice draughtsman at Wellman, Smith & Owen, in Walsall, and this spirit saw him run a stall on Bilston Market which led to the launch of Hooty’s cash and carry.
When Keith sold the business and moved to Mallorca in 1990, his son Steve remained in the UK and he and his wife Tracy had always wanted to launch a similar business of their own. Inspired by his father’s stories of the ‘10p box’ on Bilston Market, he envisaged selling items for just £1 and, with a £50,000 loan from his father, Steve launched Poundland in 1990.
The very first Poundland was opened in the Octagon Shopping Centre, in Burton Upon Trent, in December 1990 which took more than £13,000 on its first day, however, it was its second store at the prestigious Meadowhall Shopping Centre, in Sheffield, which catapulted Poundland’s success and led to the company opening stores across England.
In 1997, Keith and his wife Maureen returned to the UK and purchased Ludstone Hall for £2.5 million. Their passion for the property led to extensive renovations. The estate’s grounds feature a coach house, a two-bedroom lodge, and a unique museum. While the Ludstone section of the museum features notes of historical importance and artefacts found on the estate, the Poundland area of the museum gives a glimpse into the history of the retailer, including the inspiration behind the brand and how it transformed from a single shop in Burton upon Trent to a nationwide chain with more than 850 shops across the UK.
In 2002, Keith and Steve sold Poundland, and now, Steve and his siblings are selling Ludstone Hall in the hope that another family will cherish this historic estate as they did.
Steve said: “When my parents came back to the UK they wanted to find a home where they would never want to move from, and they certainly found that at Ludstone. My mum and dad really loved their time at the estate which can be seen in the amount of money they invested in the property – it really is the home that Poundland built.
“One particular investment they made was installing the swimming pool. They wanted to have a big party for the millennium so had one with a retractable floor installed so that the room could also be used to host events. Living locally myself, I have some really happy memories of their time here. I used to bring Dad the broken sweets we couldn’t sell, and he’d feed them to the cows that he kept on the grounds. The cows were sold to a supermarket chain that said that it was the sweetest meat they’d tasted.
“We’d also hold charity events and open up the museum to visitors and raise thousands of pounds for local good causes over the years. The property holds so much historic significance and has only had a handful of owners since it was built. We’re now keen to see the property go to a new family who can make their memories here. While the Ludstone Hall Estate section of the museum will remain at the property, we’ll also be donating all of the Poundland memorabilia to Poundland so that they can preserve the history of the company.”
Ludstone Hall Estate has a guide price of £7,775,000. A further residential investment lot, Manor Fold, which comprises a collection of eight houses on the edge of the estate, is also available with a guide price of £3,000,000.
Find out more about our property agency consultancy services and further information about Ludstone Hall is also available.
