Minding our MANORS

If a three-bed semi keeps you busy, imagine what it's like to live in a stately home or maintain a vast garden

- ELLIE FENNELL

'BRINGING THIS HISTORIC HOUSE BACK TO LIFE HAS BEEN SUCH AN ADVENTURE'

Sarah Callander Beckett, 73, owns Combermere Abbey in Cheshire, a former monastery that dates back to the 12th century. It is where she lives with her husband Peter, 64, and their son Peregrine, 28.

Having visitors in and around your home isn't appealing to everyone, but I believe if you live in a beautiful historic place, you should share it with others. And my vision was always to bring people back to Combermere Abbey.

My great-grandfather, Sir Kenneth Crossley, bought the Abbey in 1919, and I lived there with my family from the age of seven, before moving abroad to work in my 20s. As the eldest of three daughters, I was 38 and back living in London when my mother gave me the option of inheriting the Abbey, as she and my stepfather were moving to Scotland after he retired. During her 30 years as owner and custodian, the house was not open to the public but was run as a traditional estate, with agriculture at its heart.

My parents' residence was fine to live in, but all the other parts of the estate needed a lot of work. The challenge appealed to my entrepreneurial spirit and the house held happy childhood memories, so I said yes.

I met my husband Peter socially shortly after moving back – his family lived nearby and our parents were close friends. Bringing the house back to life together has been such an adventure.

We started the renovations in 1992 and, through securing some English Heritage grants, kept going for over 30 years. I was lucky to have a brilliant heritage architect, Andrew Arrol, alongside me as a guiding force, and the community of other historic house owners has provided valuable support.