A magnificent Grade II listed Queen Anne Old Rectory on the Wiltshire/Berkshire borders close to Hungerford and set in about 11 acres

Description

The Old Rectory is a fine Grade II listed former rectory of considerable charm and character extending to approximately 9,500 sq ft. The house sits side by side with the beautiful Norman church, St Mary’s, in the popular Wiltshire village of Chilton Foliat. The central portion of the Old Rectory dates back to the Queen Anne era, and as one would expect benefits from beautiful mellow brick and characteristic sash windows, and reception rooms filled with natural light. In Georgian times a substantial wing was added, considerably enlarging the house and including the beautiful bow fronted drawing room and principal bedroom above.

About 20 years ago the current owners enhanced the house further with the smart bespoke orangery/drawing room, sitting room and guest bedroom/bathroom/dressing room suite. This more recent addition has provided The Old Rectory with a more flexible layout and convenient modern way of living at the back of the house flowing out to the garden terrace from more relaxed reception rooms. This is the perfect complement to the more formal and traditional reception rooms in the old core of the house. The accommodation is arranged over three floors. On the ground floor there is a large reception hall with an open fireplace off which the main reception rooms flow. The drawing room is a spacious room focused around a beautiful open fireplace and the full height bay windows. The dining room is conveniently located next to the kitchen, and is a delightful square room in the oldest part of The Old Rectory. In addition to these principal reception rooms there is a comfortable study, again with an open fireplace, and large sash windows overlooking the gardens, and also a sitting room and orangery style garden room.

An impressive turning Queen Anne staircase rises to the first floor where there are six comfortable bedrooms and a number of bathrooms. Of particular note is the large principal bedroom which benefits from the same elegant proportions as the drawing room below. In addition to the bedrooms there is an upstairs sitting room/playroom which could easily be utilised as a further bedroom if required. On the second floor the accommodation is flexible and is currently arranged as six bedrooms. To the left of the house, above the garaging, there is a two bedroom self-contained staff flat.

Gardens and grounds
The Old Rectory is screened from the village by an attractive high brick and flint wall and is accessed by wrought-iron electric gates. There is a large gravelled driveway in front of the house providing plenty of parking. The gardens and grounds at The Old Rectory are fully mature and extend to about 11 acres. The gardens surrounding the house itself are beautifully designed and maintained, with smartly clipped lawns, mature flower borders and specimen planting. Of particular delight, at the back of the house is a generous York stone terrace interspersed with flowering shrubs and plants. This terrace is accessed easily from the orangery/garden room. To the side of the house there is a large flat lawn often used as a croquet lawn, which rises via beautiful stone steps towards the terrace and swimming pool. There is a beautiful swimming pool garden enclosed by mellow brick walls and decorated with mature fig trees and on the pool house itself, a fully mature wisteria. The pool house is a fantastic and versatile space, currently used as a garden room, office and temperature controlled wine cellar, in addition to the changing rooms, shower, WC and small kitchen area. The tennis court and vegetable garden are tucked away out of sight of the main house. As the gardens move away from The Old Rectory itself they seamlessly merge into mature parkland and offer a delightful rural outlook from this beautiful central village location. There is an additional entrance to the property, distinct from the main gates, providing easy agricultural and staff access away from the main drive and parking area.

Square Footage: 9,503 sq ft


Acreage: 11 Acres

Directions

Location
The Old Rectory is situated in the village of Chilton Foliat, a very popular location close to Hungerford (2.5 miles), Ramsbury and Marlborough, on the Wiltshire/West Berkshire borders. Chilton Foliat is a charming village with a thriving local community, a primary school and popular pub, and is surrounded by fabulous rolling countryside offering wonderful walking, riding and cycling opportunities. There are excellent local facilities available in Ramsbury including a village shop, primary school, doctors’ surgery, gastro-pub and tennis club, and the pretty market town of Hungerford is just 2.5 miles away and provides a range of shopping and amenities, as well as a direct train service into London Paddington. There is also a fantastic farm shop nearby.

Marlborough offers further amenities including a number of smaller independent shops, a Waitrose
supermarket and an organic farm shop. Newbury caters for most other needs. Communications in the area are excellent with easy access to the M4 (J14) and the A34, linking with London, Heathrow Airport and the West Country, and stations in both Hungerford and Newbury provide direct train services into London Paddington.

There is an excellent choice of highly regarded schools in the area including primary schools in Chilton Foliat and Ramsbury, St Francis Pewsey, Pinewood, Cheam, Elstree, Marlborough College, St John’s Marlborough, Dauntsey’s, Downe House and Bradfield College

Directions
From Newbury follow the A4 to Hungerford. Continue through Hungerford on the A4 heading towards Marlborough and just as you leave Hungerford take the right turn onto the B4192 to Chilton Foliat. Follow this road into Chilton Foliat, continue through the village and the entrance gates to The Old Rectory will be found on the right hand side, just before the church.

Hungerford 2 miles (London Paddington from 57 mins), Marlborough 9 miles, M4 (J14) 4 miles, Newbury 11 miles, London Heathrow 53 miles