4 bedroom detached house

A charming, part-thatched period cottage standing in lovely grounds of about 1/2 acre quietly located close to the centre of the village and the village water meadows.

Believed to date from circa 1826, Barlands is a quintessentially pretty, part-thatched cottage peacefully situated towards the end of a no-through-road set in picturesque gardens and meadow of approximately 1/2 acre. The original part of the cottage exudes a wealth of charm and features typical of its heritage, which seamlessly blends with a more recent single storey addition that is home to a spacious kitchen/breakfast room and ground floor bedroom and shower room. Many of the rooms are dual aspect with a southerly orientation that ensure a good level of natural light and the three first-floor bedrooms all enjoy an outlook over the gardens and nearby watermeadows. Within the garden is a useful home office for those seeking work-from-home space and there is parking space for several cars at the rear of the cottage.

The cottage is quietly located towards the far end of Gravel Close, a convenient level walk from village amenities on the historic village centre, The Borough, and open countryside for walking across the scenic water meadows. Downton is a well-regarded, thriving Avonside village with a number of shops and other amenities available along The Borough, including a popular public house and bustling cafe, The Borough Cafe. The village has a doctors' surgery and reputable primary and secondary schools, as well as a library and leisure centre.

For those seeking a balance between a 'work-from-home' and office-based environment, communications in the area are excellent. The local road network, including the A338 and A36, draws the regional centres of Salisbury, Bournemouth and Southampton within striking distance. There are mainline rail services from Salisbury and Southampton Parkway (90 minutes and 71 minutes respectively) to London Waterloo and international airports at Southampton and Bournemouth.

Buyers with an interest in outdoor pursuits will undoubtedly be satisfied by the wonderful surrounding countryside and the New Forest National Park lies approximately 3 miles to the East. There is a choice of local golf and angling clubs in the vicinity and sailing opportunities abound on the South Coast and at Spinnaker Sailing Club at Blashford Lakes, near Ringwood.

From Gravel Close a 5-bar gate opens to a gravelled courtyard that provides off road parking to the rear of the cottage for 2 - 3 vehicles. A pedestrian gate provides access to the garden and front entrance porch from the lane.

The beautiful garden is a superb feature of the cottage and surrounds it on the south and west facing elevations. Doors open from the sitting room and kitchen - the latter onto an attractive paved seating area ideally placed to catch the afternoon and evening sun - to gardens predominantly laid to lawn interspersed with trees and shrubs, including Japonica and several fruit trees, and flanked by well-stocked beds planted with colourful perennials. Within the garden is a useful HOME OFFICE/SUMMERHOUSE with power and light connected and a large GARDEN SHED/WORKSHOP with a part-glazed POTTING SHED. A wooden picket fence separates the formal garden from an area of meadow that adjoins open farmland.

AGENT'S NOTE
1. Under Section 32 of the Estate Agents Act 1979 we are obliged to point out that the Vendor of the property is a relative of a member of staff.

2. We understand a Right of Pre-Emption exists in favour of Longford Estate, who have indicated they do not wish to exercise the Right.

Wiltshire County Council. Tax Band F.

All mains services are connected. Gas fired central heating.

Leave Fordingbridge on the A338 and proceed for approximately 6 miles until reaching Downton. Turn right at the traffic lights before The Bull public house and proceed along The Borough. Turn left into Gravel Close opposite The Goat public house and Barlands will be located at the
far end of the lane on the left hand side.