Linen scroll

Features inside the property include: large oak beams, an impressive fourposter bedroom, stone flagged floors, a minstrels' gallery in the kitchen, a cellar with arrow slits, a balcony, studded and linenfold solid oak internal doors and large inglenook fireplaces.

But in this distinguished Grade ll* listed house, it is the 19th century linenfold panelling which is singled out as a particular highlight, said to have been imported from Drakelow Hall.

In addition to the company's Acanthus motif, designers can mix and match existing panels with grape, oak, leaf, floral, shell and linenfold designs.

It seems likely that a host of Shuttleworth's status would have preferred the more modern and congenial withdrawing room, distinguished by some of the earliest linenfold panelling in Lancashire, as well as by its fashionable bay window and more generous dimensions.

It was used to imitate linenfold and other types of wood panelling, stamped leather, or shallow stucco-work" (Fleming and Honour 486).

Fortunately 95 per cent of the remarkable linenfold panels dating from the 1530s were rediscovered and bought back from an architectural salvage company.

ABOVE: A Victorian gothic walnut bookcase, the frieze with castellated corners and trefoil finials, glazed doors with clover leaf and arch bars, and linenfold doors to the base.

There are photogenic, oak framed leaded light windows and some wonderful linenfold oak panelling in several areas, notably the drawing room, more than 28ft by 19ft with a big wide fireplace.

The drawing room contains one of the property's fine, carved stone fireplaces and linenfold panelling plus notable ceiling treatment.