Set in the Uplands neighbourhood of the popular town of Stroud, Gloucestershire, this two-bedroom 19th-century house takes in rising views of the surrounding valleys. Arranged across three floors with a substantial lower-ground floor, there is potential for further enlargement. Painted in striking tones of blue and positioned within a terrace of equally pretty houses of the same elegant construction, the house is minutes from parks and other green spaces. The centre of town is a short walk away, where there is a station that runs regular and direct trains to London in around an hour and 20 minutes.

Setting the Scene

Set in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and named the 'Best Place to Live' in the UK in 2022 by The Sunday Times, Stroud is renowned for its community spirit, historic farmers’ market and easy connections to many outdoor beauty spots in the surrounding hills. Stroud has a bustling town centre, and its valleys are laced with rows of attractive 19th-century terraced houses built to accommodate the bustling textile trade that thrived in the town during the Industrial Revolution. For more information, please see the History section.

The Grand Tour

The house is approached via a quiet residential lane that curves along the rolling hills, just a short walk from Stroud's centre. Positioned on a raised plot, the house is well-placed to take in the surrounding views. Entry is through a garden gate and up a few steps, with herbaceous borders spilling over in abundance along each side. Stone pediments over sash windows are picked out in crisp, white tones, offset by a deep blue rendered façade. A half-glazed pitch pine front door is set under a fan light.

The door opens to a cosy sitting room, centred around the original chimney breast with a modern log burner inset. Light pours into the space through windows that frame views across the valley. A large, open-plan kitchen and dining room is to the rear of the plan. With a flagstone floor, the room has its chimney breast intact and another log burner ensconced. Velux windows let in natural light and French doors open onto the rear patio and deck.

Between the sitting room and kitchen is a door concealing stone stairs down to the lower-ground floor. High ceilings and a window set into the period door make the space ripe for conversion into an additional bedroom or living space.

Ascending to the first floor, the large principal bedroom lies to the front of the plan. A pair of original sash windows frame airy views and flood the space with light, reflected by the white-painted floorboards underfoot on brighter days. The bedroom has been painted in creamy tones, offsetting a pretty papered wall, with original built-in cabinetry tucked in one alcove.

A good-sized family bathroom lies to the rear of the plan. Thoughtfully reconfigured by the current owners, there is a luxurious modern bath and separate shower. An additional WC is located alongside. Ascending to the second floor, a large, airy bedroom is arranged across the entire footprint of the plan.

The Great Outdoors

A walled patio garden lies to the rear of the plan. With direct access from the kitchen, the space rises behind the house, ensuring a sense of seclusion despite the house's town centre location. Draped in a trailing wisteria, a pergola stretches across the back wall providing an idyllic spot for a dinner party in fine weather. Garden walls are clad in evergreen ivy, with species shrubs providing seasonal interest. A deep garden sits at the front of the plan, where the lawn is bordered on either side with mature plantings of hydrangea, cotinus, acer and magnolia, while herbaceous perennials line the undergrowth. At the very front of the garden, a seating area has been arranged to take in the surrounding vista.

Out and About

The Gloucestershire town of Stroud stands at the meeting point of the Five Valleys and is surrounded by the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in all directions. The house is located in a quiet residential, Uplands area of the town, within easy reach of its shops and cafés – Waitrose is within a 10-minute walk. Stroud also has a national, award-winning farmers market and numerous highly-regarded schools. The music scene is vibrant in this artistic town, with venues across the town supporting a variety of performances year-round.

The larger town of Cheltenham is 12 miles away, and the house is a 30-minute drive from junction 15 of the M4. Stroud Station, where direct trains run to London Paddington in approximately an hour-and-a-half, is a 10-minute walk away.

Council Tax Band: B