6166 Stovers Mill Rd, Doylestown, PA 18938

A rarity in Solebury Township, this hidden estate residence with pool on 16 acres was designed in 1950 by two architects to resemble a castle in Belgium, the original owner’s home country. Beautifully proportioned rooms with excellent flow for entertaining make it feel more Main Line than Bucks County, but make no mistake, this private setting near the village of Carversville is pure Solebury with arboretum-like grounds and ever-blooming gardens. Its circular, domed main entry leads to a wide, gallery-style hall. From here, access all first-floor living spaces. A dramatic main salon with fireplace and five sets of French doors opens to a full-length terrace. The formal dining area, warmed by a woodstove/fireplace, can accommodate multiple seating arrangements and opens to the rear terrace. Adjacent is the expansive kitchen with island and casual dining area. A service entrance with laundry and storage is convenient to this workspace. On one end of the home, its library/study lined in built-ins feels like the reading room at a private club and opens to a sunroom. Also on the first floor is an owner’s suite with sitting room, sleeping quarters and his and her baths as well as three walk-in closets. High ceilings, substantial moldings, pristine Mercer floor tile, handwrought hardware and hinges on doors and other details add to the home’s appeal. Private quarters upstairs offer spacious accommodations with five additional bedrooms and three full bathrooms. Gardens laced with walking paths lead to an oversized in-ground pool complete with diving rock, gazebo and pool house. A carriage-house style garage for three cars, including a wash bay, has a nicely appointed one-bedroom apartment above. Previously owned by a botanist, the property showcases spectacular gardens with a generous amount of level lawn ready for a croquet match. As a Bucks County retreat from the city, “The Castle” works as well today as it did 70 years ago when its first owners used it as an escape from Philadelphia. It is a one-of-a-kind offering for our area.