Warwickshire manor house contents up for sale

The Old Castle, at Studley, dates back to Tudor times

The entire contents of a Grade II* listed Warwickshire manor house are being sold after its owner decided to downsize.

The furnishings of the Old Castle, at Studley, near Henley-in-Arden, include a 17th Century oak dining table.

The house is "crammed with antiques", according to the auctioneers

Adrian Rathbone, associate director of Hansons Auctioneers, which is overseeing the sale, described the contents as a "real treasure trove".

The auction will take place in Etwall, Derbyshire, on 31 March and 1 April.

The sale includes two four-poster beds and 17th Century oak furnishings

The seven-bedroom castle, set in more than four acres of land, dates back to Tudor times and recently sold for £1.7m.

Mr Rathbone said the previous owner had purchased it with some furniture and had added to it with several antiques, including two four-poster beds, a William and Mary walnut chest, oil and watercolour paintings and ceramics.

A 17th Century oak dining table is among the lots

He said: "It is every auctioneer's dream to be called to an ancient manor house crammed with wonderful antiques and other furnishings.

"Such occurrences are very few and far between these days - gone are the days of the country house sale.

"This is a real treasure trove of antiques which is set to ignite interest from buyers across the globe."