Although many of the stories in this blog are about houses at risk, it should also be noted that, should funds permit, many a fine country house comes up for sale every week via the big agencies such as Knight Frank, Savills, Chestertons etc. Whilst for most the dream of the large country house is out of reach, the sumptuous photos allow us a brief glimpse of these beautiful buildings. So, watch out for postings of the best of the country houses which have been advertised.
Dowdeswell Court, situated just outside Cheltenham, is an elegant essay in ne0-Classical style. The estate had been in the Rogers family since 1582 but by the early 1800s the house was so dilapidated that it could only be replaced. The new house was built in 1833-7, and was designed by a well-respected architect, Charles Paul of Cheltenham, who incorporated the distinctive Corinthian orders and cornicing. Interestingly though, the final design owes much to the master mason, Thomas Denley, who altered the plans. The interiors are to the 1830s but have been sympathetically restored. The house was then sold the now Coxwell-Rodgers family in the 1900s and it then went through a succession of owners and uses including as a school and residential home. It was from this latter fate that the house was rescued in 2005 and has since been carefully restored. This truly is a stunning house – a great example of it’s type and conveniently sized and located.
So if you have the requisite £7.9m please do contact Savills and ask for a viewing. And if you would like someone to carry your bag or something while you do so, please just let me know.
Full details: Dowdeswell Court [Savills]
The Country Seat 
I was a student at Dowdeswell crt in the 80s and would like to contact anyone who was either linked there at the time (students & staff) or anyone who is interested in learning about the history at time that the House was used as a school for boys,
Also its sister school also nr cheltenham “Badgeworth crt”
I look forward to hearing from you..
Paul.
Paul, this is more an architectural history blog, so it’s probably not the best place for contacting past school friends. I would suggest you visit web sites such as:
http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/School.page/Dowdeswell_Court_School/17355/Details