A fabulous period house with stunning garden, pool and barns.

Description

On the market for the first time in thirty years, this is a most exceptional Grade II listed property, dating back we understand to the 16th century, on the edge of the Highclere Estate (home of ‘Downton Abbey’) with views across to the Estate. Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the property enjoys wonderful privacy and consists of a historic former public house, the Three Legged Cross, set in around 1.34 acres with two sizeable barns, garden and heated swimming pool. The main house is an utterly charming family home with an abundance of period character, boasting some exposed beams, fireplaces, original doors and a 16th century bread oven. An oak framed entrance is a most attractive feature, a wonderful welcoming space opening to the kitchen. Excellent living space is offered, with wood burning stoves in the main reception rooms which include a graceful sitting room with adjoining library, both with solid oak floors and large windows overlooking the front. The study offers versatility and could be utilised as a more formal dining room (with an open fireplace), plus a cosy snug. The utility room, being the former kitchen, is now a useful utility/boot room. The stunning kitchen/dining room was built by Oakwrights in c.2012, it is vaulted with a great deal of natural light and has double doors leading to the outdoor heated swimming pool. The room benefits from solar double glazing and is a sociable space featuring Bulthaup units, underfloor heating, Ted Todd oak flooring, an oil fired Aga and an island/work-station as well as a generous dining area. There is a large cellar, with a vaulted alcove, ideal for wine storage. The first floor offers a principal bedroom with a built-in wardrobe and an en suite bathroom which leads through to a box room which could be used as a dressing area or storage room. The two double bedrooms to the front enjoy stunning views of Highclere Castle and both have full room width fitted wardrobes. There is a further double bedroom and two separate shower rooms. There are two barns, one of which is a c1800 fabulous ‘party barn’ which could be used for all manner of purposes and extends over 66 ft in length. It is currently loosely sub divided; there are so many ways the space could be used. The second barn is a 2012 Oakwrights green oak framed building, currently used as gym/workshop/studio. Double doors to one end and the middle allow potential garage space for up to four cars in addition to ample parking space to the back of it.

Outside

The property is approached via electric wooden gates and high hedging offering privacy, with the opportunity to park 2/3 cars in front or behind the gates. On entering the gates, the wonderful gardens and house become visible and the view is a delight. The gardens are mature, largely laid to lawn and bordered and interspersed by mature shrubs and specimen trees, with pretty flower borders and a south-facing courtyard garden to the front.

The Pool and Lawn Area

The property is approached via electric wooden gates and high hedging offering privacy, with the opportunity to park 2/3 cars in front or behind the gates. On entering the gates, the wonderful gardens and house become visible and the view is a delight. The gardens are mature, largely laid to lawn and bordered and interspersed by mature shrubs and specimen trees, with pretty flower borders and a south-facing courtyard garden to the front. The pool area is adjacent to the kitchen, with surrounding terrace and hedging, again being exceptionally private, with a patio area for dining and a pool shed housing the relevant machinery. Behind the lawn is a long sweeping driveway leading to the garage/workshop barn, which is hidden by a mature beech hedge. There is enough space to divide the lawn into a pony paddock.

Location

Situated just south of Highclere and 4 ½ miles north of Hurstbourne Tarrant, there are excellent road connections with both the A34 and A303 being accessible as well as access to the M3 and M4. Officially designated an Area of Outstanding Beauty, within a maze of quiet country lanes, footpaths,
bridleways and bluebell woodlands, offering fantastic cycling, horse-riding and dog walking. Most notably, Wayfarers Walk (all off road) can be accessed immediately across the road. In the immediate vicinity there is the famous Highclere Castle,
with the village of Highclere and surrounds offering a GP Surgery, village shop with Post Office, pubs/restaurants, well regarded primary school and junior schools, a church and a thriving tennis club in nearby Woolton Hill.
Newbury itself offers a comprehensive range of shopping, recreational and leisure facilities including fitness centres, theatres, cinema as well as Newbury Racecourse. The historic city of Winchester is less than 20 miles away, with excellent shopping, dining, schools, university and Cathedral. Newbury offers a mainline train service to London Paddington in as little as 47 minutes, whilst Andover and Whitchurch provide access to Waterloo in a little over an hour.
There are an excellent range of schools available in the area including Farleigh, Cheam, Horris Hill, St Gabriels and St Bartholomews at preprep and preparatory level, and Downe House, St. Swithun's, and Winchester College at senior level.

Square Footage: 5,144 sq ft



Additional Info

Mains electricity, and water.
Septic tank drainage.
Oil fired central heating.
Note that an additional small plot of land with two outbuildings, adjacent to the property, may be available by separate negotiation. Perfect for additional parking/conversion to
stables and small turnout paddock.
Basingstoke & Deane. Council Tax Band G