6 bedroom detached house for sale

An exceptional Grade II listed Georgian country home with exquisite gardens, grounds and country views.

Description

This delightful Grade II listed Georgian country house is well positioned within the village of Seend and enjoys 3,966 sq ft of accommodation arranged over 4 floors. It has gardens and grounds amounting to 2.2 acres. Of particular note are the uninterrupted panoramic country views to the south that stretch as far as the Salisbury plain in the distance.

The house is set back from the road and approached by wide stone steps up to a portico with Doric columns. This opens into the spacious and welcoming centralised ‘piano noble’ entrance hall, from which the principle rooms lead off: these include the drawing room and library, dining room, study and a spacious cloakroom. There are stairs to the lower and upper floors. The bedrooms and bathrooms are on the upper floors, and consist of a spacious principle bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, along with another double bedroom and bathroom, also a large dressing room on the first floor. Three further bedrooms and a bathroom occupy the second floor. On the lower ground floor/garden level there is a spacious kitchen/breakfast room with a walk-in pantry, under-stairs wine storage, and practical utility area with garden access. There is also a store room, shower room and boot room, again with garden access.

There are many period features throughout the home with ornate fireplaces in all the ground and first floor rooms. The ceilings are tall with fine decorative cornices, sash windows and working shutters as well as an electrified ‘dumb waiter’.

From within the house there are views to the south, which can be enjoyed from the principle rooms and main bedrooms as these overlook the glorious gardens and then the open countryside beyond, with Salisbury Plain in the distance ~ a truly fine view.

GARDENS & GROUNDS

The jewel in the crown of this delightful former Dower House are its gardens and grounds. Lovingly designed and tended for over 30 years by the current owner, they are a real joy. Not overly complicated but well thought out, they include a number of specimen trees with a variety of wonderful Magnolias offering blossom from early spring to summer.

There is also a small orchard and a rose garden near the little summer house. The property is approached from the High Street via its gravelled in/ out driveway with ample parking for a number of cars. This then leads to a large security iron gate around to the rear and the former coach house building. To the front there are tall hedges as well as a small lawn, established flower beds and ornamental flowering trees. To the side of the property there is a walled kitchen garden, which is productive: vegetables, fruit trees and soft fruits all grow here. This can be easily accessed from several points.

The main grounds lie to the rear (i.e. South) with an infinity lawn leading away from the house into the distance merging with the open countryside, and decoratively finished at the boundary with its unusual ornate yew hedging. There are established well stocked flower beds as well as ornate shrubs interspersed around the gardens, and farm gate access to the paddock. The paddock is safely enclosed and is screened by tall hedges from the gardens. Overall this impressive period property is beautifully balanced between the quality Grade II listed home, and its quintessential English country gardens.

Location

Seend offers a home in the countryside yet the cultural activities available nearby are extensive and easily accessible. The music is excellent with the Bach and Mozart Fests in Bath, together with great variety and high class international stars at the Wiltshire Music Centre, in Bradford on Avon. This season Ralph Fiennes is acting and directing at the Theatre Royal. Bath has 2 independent cinemas showing the live performances from ROH and the Met, along with alternative films. The Holborne Museum and Victoria Art Gallery have an excellent programme of interesting exhibitions. And of course the Abbey is a great venue for choral music.

The property enjoys a prominent position within the highly desirable village of Seend, which is renowned for its many fine period buildings that sit along the ridge giving them the exceptional views. There are many local amenities within the village including a local store and Post Office, primary school, three public houses, church, village hall and community centre. (For further information see the Seend Parish Neighbourhood Plan). The larger regional centres of Devizes, Marlborough and Chippenham are within easy reach. Extensive facilities are available in Devizes with many independent retailers, restaurants and a weekly farmers market and Marlborough has a delightful High Street with many shops including Waitrose.

The Neolithic sites of Stonehenge and Avebury are both approximately 30 minutes distant, and there are many opportunities for walking, riding and other country pursuits in the surrounding countryside. The Cathedral cities of Bath and Salisbury are both within 17 miles and 27 miles respectively.

The M4 provides access to London, Heathrow Airport and the West Country. There are rail services to London Paddington from Chippenham (57 mins fastest and 71 mins ), Westbury ( 1 hour 24 mins ) or Pewsey ( 58 mins fastest and 67 mins ).

This part of Wiltshire is renowned for its many well-regarded schools including Marlborough College, Dauntseys, St. Margaret’s Preparatory School and St. Mary’s Calne, amongst others.

Square Footage: 3,966 sq ft


Acreage: 2.2 Acres