A substantial Chalke Valley family home with breath taking Southerly views.

Description

Built in 1947, with later additions, this solid mid-Century family house has nearly 4500 square feet of eminently flexible living accommodation over four floors, including a former annexe that is currently incorporated within the main living space, however, this could easily be reinstated to be self-contained. South-facing, it has the most outstanding, far-reaching countryside views, as far as the Isle of Wight on a clear day. The principal rooms are dual or triple aspect to maximise these exceptional views.

Entrance is via a pitched roof, timber-framed porch into an entrance hall, with a cloakroom off to one side. Both rooms have limestone flooring. Double doors lead through to a spacious reception hall. The sitting room has a stone fireplace with a wood-burning stove and the adjacent study has fitted desk and cupboards and parquet flooring. The open-plan kitchen/breakfast/family room, with underfloor heating, has a range of shaker-style floor and wall-mounted cupboards, by renowned Jones of Salisbury, under granite work surfaces. Integrated appliances include a large range cooker and dishwasher. The ‘kitchen’ end of the room opens out into a spacious sitting and dining area, with a brick fireplace housing a wood-burning stove, a bay window overlooking the garden and French doors. Stairs lead down to the basement level, where there is a games room and a purpose-built wine cellar. Also accessed from the kitchen is a utility room, with doors to a rear courtyard.

The first floor has a large, central galleried landing, offering access to all the bedrooms and a family bathroom. The triple aspect principal bedroom suite is a particular feature, enjoying breathtaking, far-reaching views across rolling countryside over a distance of about 30 miles. There are four further double bedrooms on this floor, one with dressing room and en suite shower room and a further double bedroom on the second floor, with an en suite shower room and, again, those exceptional views.

The former annexe can be accessed either from the main reception hall or, alternatively, via a back door into one end of the utility room. It has a former kitchen (now a craft room), sitting/dining room with French doors into the garden, double bedroom and shower room.

OUTSIDE
Electric double gates from the Ox Drove open onto a generous gravel driveway to the front and side of the house. A well-established beech hedge offers complete privacy. The expansive gardens, laid predominantly to lawn with a wealth of mature trees, such as maple, beech and apple, wrap around the house and include a sunken terrace, raised vegetable beds and a poly-tunnel containing a large array of vegetables. There are also three areas of woodland copse.

Outbuildings include a garage and storage sheds, in addition to 2 stables with a storage room above. The property has two paddocks. One with a wildflower meadow and area for children’s trampoline and ball games and the other currently used for grazing sheep, with separate vehicular access from the road and separate water supply. With the space available, there is significant potential for domestic equestrian use, particularly with the excellent riding out available directly from the property.

A second set of double gates from the Ox Drove offer alternative vehicular access to the gardens.

Planning application (Ref: PL/2022/04363) was recently approved for a triple garage to one side of the property, overlooking the gravel driveway.

Location

Knowle Hill House sits in a secluded and peaceful location on the ancient Ox Drove above Broad Chalke, within the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village, in the highly sought-after Chalke Valley, has a good range of amenities, including a popular primary school, community run shop/café/post office, church, pub and active village hall. Walks and riding from the doorstep are outstanding. Vernditch Chase nestles in the valley just below the house and the National Nature Reserve at Martin Down can be seen from the property.

The beautiful Cathedral city of Salisbury, approximately 10 miles North East, offers a wide selection of shops, restaurants, arts and recreational facilities. Trains from Salisbury to London Waterloo have a journey time of approximately 90 minutes. Racing is available at Salisbury Racecourse and Wincanton and golf at Rushmore Park, South Wilts Golf Club and High Post. This area is renowned for its fishing on the River A von, Test and outlying chalk streams.

The A303 provides access to the south west and London via the M3. There is a wide selection of both state and private schools in the area, including Clayesmore, Warminster School, Port Regis, Sandroyd, Salisbury Cathedral School, Chafyn Grove and Godolphin, as well as Bishop Wordsworth and South Wilts Grammar Schools.

Square Footage: 4,437 sq ft


Acreage: 5.86 Acres

Directions

DIRECTIONS to SP5 5LU. From Salisbury, take the A354 towards Blandford. Just before Coombe Bissett, take the right-hand turning towards Bishopstone and Broad Chalke. After approximately 4 miles, just beyond Stoke Farthing and shortly before reaching Broad Chalke village, take a left-hand turning, over a bridge, towards Knighton and Broad Chalke primary school. Pass the primary school on your left and continue on this road through the edge of Broad Chalke and onto Howgare Road. Follow this road up onto the top of the downs and through an avenue of trees. You will find a left-hand turning onto the Ox Drove at the end of this avenue. Turn onto the Ox Drove and Knowle Hill House is immediately on your left.

Additional Info

Services : Oil fired central heating. Mains electricity. Private water supply. Private drainage.

Fixtures and Fittings : Please note that, unless specifically mentioned, all fixtures and fittings and garden ornaments are excluded from the sale.

Viewings : Strictly by appointment with Savills.