Crime really does pay! Murder mystery writer Felix Francis puts his beautiful Grade II-listed Cotswolds home on the market for £4.5million
- The crime writer penned 16 books at Manor House in Hornton, Oxfordshire
- Historic property also includes 4.75 acres of gardens and a separate cottage
Crime writer Felix Francis is selling his beautiful Cotswolds home where he has penned most of his murder mysteries for £4.5 million.
The author is the son of Dick Francis, the Queen Mother’s jockey who then became a bestselling crime writer, selling more than 80 million novels before his death in 2010.
Mr Francis has continued his father’s famous franchise, first in his father’s name and then under his own.
He has written 16 books at Grade II Listed Manor House, in the village of Hornton, Oxfordshire.
The beautiful home is filled with period features, including open fireplaces, flagstone floors, exposed timbers and panelled doors.
Crime writer Felix Francis has put his Grade-II listed home in the Cotswolds up for sale for £4.5 million
The murder mystery novelist penned 16 books at Manor House in Hornton, Oxfordshire
The beautiful home is filled with period features, including open fireplaces, flagstone floors, exposed timbers and panelled doors
Mr Francis, who has continued the franchise started by his late father Dick Francis, released his latest novel, No Reserve, on Thursday
Mr Francis and his wife Debbie bought the house, which has early 17th century origins, in 2007 and unsurprisingly it has an impressive office and library with bespoke fitted bookshelves, where he penned most of his novels.
The property has more than 11,000 sq ft of accommodation over three floors including a large kitchen/breakfast/family room, drawing room, snooker room, six bedrooms and six bathrooms.
It also has a detached two-bedroom cottage perfect for guests.
The house sits in 4.75 acres of gardens with a heated outdoor swimming pool and pool house, gym, workshop as well as paddocks and an all weather manege for horse enthusiasts.
Mr Francis said: ‘My wife Debbie and I have greatly enjoyed our sixteen years in The Manor House in Hornton, as our children have grown up.
‘The house has been a perfect setting for family Christmases, and it is now an endless paradise for games of Sardines with the grandchildren.
‘I have written sixteen of the ‘Dick Francis novels’ here in the expansive office, including my latest, No Reserve.
‘The house has been a great inspiration for my writing but Debbie and I feel that, with our children now having flown the coop, it is time for another family to take over the stewardship of this historic Oxfordshire property.’
Felix was a physics teacher when he decided to have a go at writing a Dick Francis book. His father was 85 and had not written a book for five years.
Dick’s wife Mary had always helped him research and write his books and when she died in 2000, Felix took over assisting his father with developing plot and character details.
Under Orders came out in 2006 under his father’s name, but the novels after that Felix was credited as co-author and he took over the franchise fully when his father died in 2010.
His latest book No Reserve, set in the world of thoroughbred bloodstock sales, was released on Thursday.
Mr Francis said that it was time for a new family to take over the historic property, which also includes 4.75 acres of gardens with a heated outdoor swimming pool, gym and workshop
Nicholas Rudge, head of Savills Banbury said: ‘Manor House is an extraordinarily beautiful Cotswolds house. You can really see how Felix and his family have thoughtfully restored the home, while sensitively adding to it.
‘When people think of what a Cotswolds home should look, feel and live like, Manor House is definitely what people envisage.
‘With this part of the country ever desirable with a whole host of domestic and foreign buyers, due to the area’s international reputation, I can see this house being very popular with those looking for the perfect historic home, set in within a beautiful village on the edge of the Cotswolds.
‘Manor House is a wonderful opportunity to purchase a substantial, yet manageable country house with versatile accommodation, ideal for entertaining and large families.’
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