One of the finest historic country homes in Gloucestershire, enjoying exceptional peace, seclusion and outstanding views, in the most stunning parkland, garden and woodland setting of circa 52 acres

Foscombe House in Ashleworth is a stunning example of Grade II* Listed, Victorian Gothic architecture. With its castellated tower, turrets, carved Gothic conservatory and Gothic windows, it is no wonder it had Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, the famous guide writer and arbiter of English architecture, in raptures. Sir Nikolaus described it in his Buildings of Britain as "an unspoiled Victorian fantasy in an unsurpassed situation commanding exquisite views in all directions". It is so glorious for a residential property, its designer Thomas Fulljames who was at the time the resident architect to Gloucester Cathedral so had access to the best building materials and craftsmen, that it is hardly surprising that some hundred years after it was built it should catch the eye of a rock star.

Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones, bought Foscombe House in 1976 and converted the coach house in to a studio for the band to record in complete peace and privacy. Though Charlie is arguably the most famous owner, Foscombe House has had a number of notable residents, beginning with Fulljames himself who built the house as his retirement residence. The present owner bought the property in 2011 and has dedicated the last decade to not only restoring the house to a beautiful standard using exceptional craftsman but also to bringing Foscombe House into the 21st century with regards to the installation of services to provide a modern and efficient environment.

Constructed of warm toned blue lias stone with ashlar dressings, topped with a distinctive castellated tower with turret, Foscombe House is the epitomy of glorious Victorian Gothic architecture with sun filled rooms enhanced by the most beautiful features. The height and proportions of the rooms creates the most wonderful flow of living space and for such a substantial property, there is a feeling of comfortable living and a warm environment further enhanced by the far reaching outlook from all the principal rooms.
The impressive main entrance to the house has a Tudor arch over the front door, with carved stone leaf decoration and marble colonettes,
On the ground floor, a handsome carved staircase inset with quatrefoils and ornate square newels rises to the upper floors with quatrefoils also gracing the windows and the ornately carved orangery. A large archway opens to the impressive sitting room with pyramid stone fireplace decorated with a stag in a roundel with wood burning stove and an ornate ceiling with beams and stone corbels decorated with carved shields and leaves.
The drawing room is the most elegant of spaces with a wide bay window overlooking the grounds, a stone carved fireplace with marble columns and woodburning stove, flanked by arched recesses, elaborate carved door architraves, ceiling mouldings and French doors opening into the Orangery which is a glorious room with two elevations of ornate stone mullioned windows with carved leaf decoration
The morning room with its east facing orientation is a classically stunning room, again with carved stone fireplace with woodburning stove and glorious carved pine buffet with panelled head above and over the alcove and door leading into the orangery creating a wonderful flow of living space. The dining room is a lovely entertaining space with 2 arched windows with shutters overlooking the sweeping lawns, it has a built in safe and doorway which connects via a Butler’s pantry to the kitchen. This superbly proportioned room has been re-fitted with a traditional Mark Wilkinson kitchen, renowned for their bespoke cabinets, there is a large central island, topped with granite and wood, perfect for relaxed entertaining, a five oven Aga and four ring induction hob. Very much a chef’s kitchen with extensive storage units and work space, with two mullion windows overlooking the lawns ensuring a lovely light and bright atmosphere. Adjacent to the kitchen are excellent utility, boot and workshop rooms with fitted larder and cloakroom, with access to both the rear terrace and grounds to the front. On the first floor, off the impressive landing, are five double bedrooms served by five bathroom suites, all enjoying beautiful views, bedroom six has been made in to an excellent laundry/utility room and a secondary staircase off the main landing returns to the ground floor. Rising up to the second floor, the original ‘staff quarters’ are now three delightful bedrooms, perfect as children’s rooms, served by a shower room and on the third floor, situated at the top of the tower, is the smoking room with feature trefoil windows, fireplace and doorway leading out to the roof terrace where the views are spectacular. For those who wish to have an even more elevated outlook, stone steps lead up to the turret.

The Coach House, formerly the recording studio for the Rolling Stones is an attractive two/three bedroom detached red brick and timbered property of around 2000 sq feet providing excellent ancillary space. The present owner has renovated and restored this property with great care, re-building the external elevations and modernising the interior to create an extremely smart dwelling, perfect for guests or staff and benefitting from its own enclosed garden. The accommodation is extremely light and bright with a large main living space with full height ceiling, kitchen area and spiral staircase rising to the gallery floor which The Rolling Stones used as their recording studio.

To the northwest of the property is the converted stable block that is now an excellent recreational building, with a fitted kitchen, large leisure room, ladies & gent’s cloakrooms and an adjacent pool room with resistance pool and fitted sauna & steam cabin. Adjacent to this is a 60’ timber clad modern vehicle store, providing secure storage for up to twenty vehicles, with the facility created by the owner to hoist a helicopter in to this vehicle hanger.

There are two delightfully situated Shepherd’s huts providing fun space for children or simply to enjoy a different aspect across the grounds.

The gardens and grounds are breathtaking, creating the most beautiful setting for Foscombe House with acres of flower meadows, lawns and parkland to wander through, in complete privacy. The present owner has planted 1000’s more trees during his residency and created pathways that meander through the meadows leading to a Japanese style garden with shaded cover and water feature, the most wonderful canopied terrace with seating for 20 guests on a paved terrace set in the lawns, an expanse of east facing terrace taking in the grounds and views, vegetable garden with large greenhouse and two natural ponds. Much of the land has been planted and maintained to attract wildlife with quiet areas for nesting ducks and other waterlife and denser wooded areas for red deer and roe deer.
There are two approaches to Foscombe House, the most used being off Wickridge Street and marked by ornate wrought iron gates. The long private driveway is flanked by woodland and electric gates open up to the front of the grounds and the carriage driveway that sweeps around the house, bordered by a wide lawn with ornate fountain. The driveway and gardens are interspersed with magnificent oak trees that flank the driveway as it continues to the north side of the property and meanders down to Foscombe Lane. The original planting was designed to create the sudden appearance of Foscombe House off the tree lined driveway and now, in its maturity, this vision is a reality.
The present owner has acquired further land over the years to truly protect this unique setting and the total plot is arranged as the original 32 acres, an additional plot of woodland and a further smallholding, now in total circa 52 acres.

Local Authority: Tewkesbury Borough Council[use Contact Agent Button]

Services: Mains electricity, water, private drainage.
Akvaterm Dunster wood burning boiler utilising organic material for heat & water. Back up oil
fired boiler.

For the Wickridge Street entrance use postcode GL19 4JW

Foscombe House is situated around one mile from the picturesque village of Ashleworth which is a delightful ‘living village’ recognised as having an extremely warm community with a good range of local amenities to include the Ashleworth Hub that comprises a post office, village store, deli and café/restaurant. There is a popular cricket pitch and sports and social club and the village is home to some exceptional historic properties to include the 12th century St Andrews & Bartholomew church and the medieval Tithe Barn, owned by the National Trust. The area is extremely well regarded for country pursuits with miles of countryside walks and riding paths and sailing on the River Severn.
The area is well served by nearby market towns which provide for day to day needs and are well patronised by the local residents. For more extensive retail and cultural needs, Gloucester City is 7 miles away and the Regency town of Cheltenham, famous for its hugely popular festivals, horseracing, theatres and fashionable Promenade is only a 20 minute drive away.