6 bedroom detached house for sale

The original house is believed to have been built in the 19th Century and has all the elegant features expected of the Georgian period with high corniced ceilings, open fireplaces and large sash windows. Later additions have a more contemporary feel, also creating a sense of light and space with full height windows and open plan design. A beautifully proportioned reception hall leads through to a high ceilinged drawing room of some 34 ft in length with open fireplace and double casement doors opening onto a west facing terrace running the length of the building. A study lies alongside with open fireplace and doors opening south onto the garden. To the north a hallway leads through to a light airy sitting room with doors onto the terrace and garden. The dining room lies alongside with wood burning stove and views over the approach to the house. The adjacent kitchen/family room is an impressive space being over 32 ft in length with full length windows and window seats looking out over the gardens and swimming pool. As well as providing a welcoming informal space for everyday family living it is equipped with an excellent range of fitted units, polished stone worksurfaces and breakfast bar. A four oven Aga brings warmth to the room but there is also a Neff gas hob and oven/grill providing additional cooking facilities if required. A large utility room has generous storage for boots, coats and shoes etc, whilst keeping the white goods away from the main living areas. A glazed hallway leads to a leisure wing providing a gym with access via full length and width bi-fold glass doors onto the adjacent terrace and swimming pool together with a sauna, shower room and cloakroom.

The extensive bedroom accommodation is arranged over two floors. On the first floor a south landing leads both to a guest suite and a beautifully proportioned principal bedroom with south facing window with window seat, and a generous bathroom/dressing room en-suite with extensive wardrobes, twin basin in a chamfered marble vanity surface, shower recess and panelled bath with marble surround. The north landing leads to two further double bedrooms and family bathroom. A separate east landing and staircase leads to the second floor with up to three further bedrooms and a bathroom, all with Velux windows. This makes an ideal suite of rooms for older teenagers or guests.

Outside
The Old Vicarage has a tranquil setting surrounded by open fields and set alongside the pretty Saxon parish church of St Mary's. A gravelled driveway approaches the house from the east providing plenty of space for casual parking and leading to a detached coach house style garage building providing extensive garaging for three vehicles. Steps lead up to a first floor home cinema/games room with cloakroom.

Formal gardens lie predominantly to the south and west. A terrace runs the length of the house approached by way of doors from the drawing room, sitting room, kitchen/family room and recreation wing. Sitting areas with lighting are arranged around the heated swimming pool of approximately 45' x 14'6 with heat pump and electric solar panel cover, and steps down to the lawned garden. Well established borders are stocked with spring bulbs, perennials and evergreen shrubs, whilst there are a number of mature trees including a beautiful magnolia and impressive horse chestnut creating an attractive focal point. To the west a central pergola covered walkway is planted with climbing roses and leads to the hard tennis court. To one side a cedar wood built garden cabana is provided with power and lighting and has a sitting room, covered deck and adjacent west facing terrace. There is also a nearby small putting green. There is a timber garden shed with electric power and light. A greenhouse overlooks a small wild flower area. Beyond the formal gardens further land lies to the west and south, within which the approximate third of a mile go-kart track and golf range area are located and including an area of mixed woodland and open field to the south. This additional land entirely surrounds the property, protecting it and giving it privacy with a further field and wild area of garden to the east. In all some 26.25 acres.

Location
The Old Vicarage lies in the old part of this pretty hamlet surrounded by a number of period properties of great character. Much of this part of Aldingbourne was at one point owned by the Diocese of Chichester, surrounded by open farmland and within sight of the South Downs National Park. The hamlet has a parish church and local shopping facilities and a railway station can be found in the nearby town of Barnham some 3 miles to the south-east. The Goodwood estate lies a few miles away to the north with its own private country club, hosting the annual Festival of Speed and the September Revival meeting at its historic motor circuit and a full horse racing calendar. To the south, the waters of Chichester Harbour and The Solent provide some of the most popular sailing facilities within easy reach of London most notably there are sailing clubs at Itchenor, Bosham and Chichester Marina. The blue flag beaches at West Wittering and East Head provide opportunities for swimming, windsurfing and kiteboarding.