A three bedroom eighteenth century unlisted semi-detached Cotswold stone quintessential country cottage with lovely gardens, planning permission for a fourth bedroom and views over the Box valley, located in Thickwood, near Colerne.

Extensive renovations have been carried out in recent years, creating a stylish and airy open plan kitchen/dining/sitting room, while retaining period features such as the window seats and stone mullion windows. A Harvey Jones kitchen has been installed with granite worktops, an island unit with ceramic sink and boiling water tap, 5 burner gas hob with double electric oven underneath and period mantelpiece above. Oven, hob, double drawer dishwasher and American style fridge freezer are by Fischer & Paykel. The kitchen/dining/sitting room has underfloor heating under the hardwood flooring and opens out through double doors onto a spacious flag stoned sun trap terrace. The vendors say: “Although an old cottage, the additional windows and the lantern roof make it bright and welcoming all year round, which makes for easy open plan living. Also on the ground floor is a lovely snug with wood burning stove set in the old stone fireplace which is a cosy space on winter evenings or as a TV den. On a practical note there is a downstairs cloakroom, understairs storage and a useful utility room with sink, cupboards, gas boiler, washing machine and drier.”

“Upstairs there are two double bedrooms with gorgeous country views over the Box valley, a lavishly fitted main bathroom plus a single bedroom with ensuite shower room. All the bedrooms have fitted wardrobes. The very spacious family bathroom has a marble floor, underfloor heating, separate shower and free-standing bath.”

“It is also worth mentioning the sizable cellar with light and power and two attics, one of which has a pull-down ladder.”

“Outside we enjoy a sun-filled patio area with room for dining and relaxing. Stone steps, bordered by fragrant lavender, lead up to the garden. The idyllic garden is a special feature of the property and includes herbaceous borders stocked with roses, alliums, paeonies, crocosmia and many other cottage garden plants. There is a charming pond with a water feature, where you can sit and listen to water trickling through ferns and water lilies while admiring the view across the valley. We have three types of pear tree, as well as an apple tree and wonderful Victoria plum tree. We love our picturesque and spacious summerhouse which has room for a piano, armchair, desk and TV with French doors out to the garden and lovely views through the arched lattice windows over the garden and paddocks behind. We use it all year round as it is heated and well insulated. There is also our recently built garden office (with high-speed internet connection) which is big enough to be a spare bedroom! During the pandemic it was an enormous benefit to be able to use both outbuildings as home offices. There is a small shed and workshop with a window overlooking our neighbour’s paddock.”

“At the front of the house is a terrace with box hedges, pink roses and a Cotswold stone wall - a wonderful place to sit and admire the views across the valley. We have a secure parking area with space for up to four cars, with electric gates.”

“The location here has been brilliant. Thickwood is a quiet and friendly community. Wonderful walks are on our doorstep. We especially enjoy walking down the valley to the stream, or via Slaughterford for lunch at the White Hart at Ford. Lucknam Park Hotel is only 0.7 miles away, with its Spa, pool, gym, tennis and fine dining. Colerne village is 1.2 miles away, a very friendly and welcoming village. There are two pubs serving good food, a local shop, newsagent, hairdresser, cosy cafe, lovely church and a Post Office. There are many events throughout the year and an active church community. There is a local playgroup and a village primary school, rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. We are also in the catchment area for the excellent Sheldon and Hardenhuish senior schools. The Bake House is roughly halfway between the Georgian delights of Bath (9 miles) and Junction 17 of M4 (9.4 miles) which has enabled us to quickly get to London or down to Cornwall.”

“We are going to be sad to say good bye to this wonderful house with its pretty garden, glorious views and super-comfortable layout. We have loved every moment here but because we now spend so much more of our lives abroad, it’s time to move on.”

There is also planning permission granted for a fourth bedroom if desired.

Tenure: Freehold
Utilities: Mains, electricity and water
Local Authority: Wiltshire
Council tax: E