A FORMER servants’ quarters of a prominent 18th Century country residence which has links to a famous family and notorious 15th century Shropshire highwayman – is now available to let.

The Old Laundry located on the ground of the distinguished Hardwick Hall, near Ellesmere, is available to let for £3,250 per calendar month through regional estate agent Halls.

The Hardwick estate is notable connected to the infamous 15th century Shropshire highwayman, Wild Humphrey Kynaston.

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It is a grand, early Georgian house with Grade II status, built on a fresh site in 1720 by John Kynaston, who bought the estate in 1693.

A descendant of the Kynaston family still owns and lives in the Hall.

The Old Laundry, formerly a part of the servant's quarters, retains much of its original character and provides spacious living conditions coupled with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.

Border Counties Advertizer: An external view of The Old Laundry.An external view of The Old Laundry. (Image: Duncan Foulkes PR)It features a ground floor composed of a cinema/snooker room, large sitting room, dining room, entrance hallway, boot room, downstairs shower room and WC, large kitchen with integrated electrical appliances, back kitchen, large game larder, snug and coat room.

Above, an impressive oak staircase leads to five bedrooms on the first floor.

The master bedroom comes with its own en-suite and breathtaking views.

There are also two-family bathrooms located on this level.

Those interested in viewing the property can make an appointment with Halls’ Ellesmere office manager, Sean Edwards.

Border Counties Advertizer: The Old Laundry kitchen.The Old Laundry kitchen. (Image: Duncan Foulkes PR)

The historic hall owes its notoriety in part to Wild Humphrey Kynaston, who was born at the original Hall on the estate in around 1468.

Humphrey, was the heir to Sir Roger Kynaston High Sheriff of Shropshire and Constable Keeper of Myddle Castle and Lady Elizabeth Grey, granddaughter of Humphrey Plantagenet, Duke of Gloucester.

He led a turbulent life resulting in an outlaw's declaration in 1491 for his involvement in the murder of John Hughes.

Legend has it he turned into a Robin Hood-style figure, robbing the affluent and distributing to the underprivileged, while residing in a cave at Nesscliffe.


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It is said Wild Humphrey was supported “by the rich through fear, and the poor through gratitude”.

This cave remains visible today, forming a part of Shropshire Council’s Nesscliffe Hill.

Later pardoned by Henry VIII, Wild Humphrey is believed to have died in the cave and requested in his will of 1534 to be buried in St Mary’s Church, Welshpool.