A Georgian inspired country house of architectural significance, with Palladian influences and a contemporary finish, in a magical setting, with a secluded Victorian water garden.

Description

The Water House is a superb country house built to exacting specifications by the current owners, creating an individual home of architectural significance in a magical location. The project was completed in 2010, situated within a small secluded valley amongst a Victorian water garden, the house was completed with Peter Borchet, the architect overseeing the work carried out by the developers, Pegasus.

Approached over a private lane leading through a wooded copse, the lane terminates in front of the beautiful gates that lead on to the private driveway. The drive works its way through the Valley providing views over the garden and the Ashford stream leading up to a large parking and turning area adjacent to the house and garaging. The main house is built in a Georgian style with Palladian influences that is approached through a pillared portico leading to the large double doors which open into the reception hall. The reception hall is stunning with the feel of an atrium with full height glazed vaulted ceilings, a contemporary staircase with gallery and glazed balustrade, and a water feature that runs through the floor beneath safety glass panels. The drawing room is approached through double doors, a statement stone fireplace with stone surround sourced from Drummonds features in this fine room, opposite a glazed wall with doors out on to an attractive terrace bring the gardens into the house but also allows for the external architecture to feature. A perfect room for entertaining with the charming terrace outside overlooking
the lower gardens. A feature of the house is the incredible kitchen/dining room, the kitchen has even beautifully fitted by Bulthaup with a range of appliances and a large central island. The kitchen has a stunning centre piece, a Zaha Habib mixer tap, in the form of a Swan. The dining room leads off the kitchen, glazed on two sides with a lantern over this bright room with magnificent views over the water garden, perfect for entertaining throughout the year with a stunning French hand made wood burner. There is a separate study, again with a stone ‘Drummonds’ fireplace, beautifully panelled walls and bespoke cabinetry. A utility room and cloakroom completes the ground floor accommodation.

The first floor is approached over a stunning cantilevered cast staircase which leads that leads up to a glazed landing providing access to the principal bedroom suite and over to the main landing in the house. The principal bedroom suite is beautifully proportioned the large walking wardrobe and a very large bathroom/wet room. There are three further bedrooms on the first floor a guest suite with adjoining shower room and two further bedrooms that enjoy a Jack and Jill shower room.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS
The gardens and grounds to The Waterhouse are stunning, located at the end of a private lane leading into a long private driveway providing the property with a stunning environment, private, secluded and incredibly peaceful with the Victorian water garden and Ashford Stream a feature throughout. The grounds extending in all to approximately 3.3 acres. The gardens immediately adjacent to the property feature a large terrace adjacent to the rear of the house and overlooking a water feature resembling a mill pool. Off the drawing room of the house is a further entertaining terrace with steps leading down a gentle slope to the stream and areas of lawn. As the stream progresses downstream the grounds become slightly more wooded with glades providing open spaces. The gardens are interspersed with spectacular specimen trees and shrubs, planted to create great structure and reflect the origins of this incredible Victorian water garden.

OUTBUILDINGS
Detached double garage. Timber garden store.

Location

The Waterhouse is located within the grounds of the former Ashford Chace Estate a peaceful location in the heart of the South Downs National Park, within close proximity of Bedales School and Dunhurst Prep School. The picturesque village of Steep is a sought-after location with its church, primary school and Public House, The Cricketers Inn, as the well regarded Lawn Tennis Club.

Petersfield is one mile away and has an array of boutique shops, restaurants and cafes, supermarkets including a Waitrose and a M&S Food Hall and an excellent twice-weekly Farmers market. Further afield is the cathedral city of Winchester, approximately 20 miles away, with its superb choice of recreational facilities and a host of tourist attractions.

The station provides a service to London Waterloo with journey times from around 64 minutes and also a service south to Portsmouth Harbour.

There are many sought after schools in the area including Bedales, Churchers College, Westbourne House, Portsmouth Grammar School, St. Swithun’s and The Petersfield School.

There is walking and riding on numerous footpaths and bridleways directly from the property.

Square Footage: 3,067 sq ft



Additional Info

Mains water and electricity. Private drainage (septic tank). Ground source heat pump.
Council Tax Band G
Freehold