Hampshire Property News

Many properties enjoy lovely rural settings but at this charming brick and flint barn conversion, the accommodation has been arranged to really maximise on the impact of the view from the inside. This is particularly apparent from the master bedroom where the wide wall of glazing provides a glorious elevated westerly view over the garden and rolling countryside beyond. And this is beautiful countryside, in the heart of the Meon Valley near Petersfield; part of a former farmstead about a mile and a half from East Meon.

Recently decorated, this lovely home has interesting and spacious accommodation over two floors, accessed from the front door which opens to a mezzanine level with stairs down to the living space and stairs leading up to the bedrooms.

The open plan dining hall and the sitting room have glazed doors to the terrace and garden and the large kitchen provides alternative dining space. Upstairs are two good size double bedrooms, one with its own bathroom, and two further bedrooms and a family bathroom.

Mature shrubs and hedging enclose the garden at the rear but still allow lovely open views whilst at the front there is parking, a garage and an attached store.

The Country House Company says the property becomes available in July and will be happy to arrange personal inspections in the next week or so. Bearing in mind the location, the landlord will consider allowing a well behaved pet at the property.

Get in touch with the agent for more information. A monthly rent of £2,250 is quoted. Contact The Country House Company on 023 9263 2275…

Strutt & Parker’s research shows growing trend in desire to move to rural locations

The world might seem focused on urbanisation, but over the past three years of its Housing Futures research, Strutt & Parker has seen the emergence of a new creeping trend in housing – the desire to move back to amenity-rich, rural locations.

Its latest survey identifies four factors that are shaping this village revival:

•           21% of survey respondents who are moving home said that they wanted to live in a village, making it easily the most popular type of location, compared to 14% for a market town and only 12% for either a big city or a suburb.

•           Broadband and mobile connections are essential to rural life. Access to broadband was a key factor for 49% of those intending to move to a village, while 38% highlighted mobile connectivity.

•           There was a significant increase in respondents looking for rental accommodation. 10% of those wanting to move to a village would live in a professionally managed private rental unit, up from 1% in 2013.

•           Ease of access is an important issue for respondents intending to move to a village, with 60% wanting to be able to walk to shops, 48% to local transport and 45% to medical facilities.

Stephanie McMahon, Head of Research at Strutt & Parker, said: “The UK might seem to be focused on urbanisation but we believe a new, overlooked trend is set to shape Britain’s housing market over the coming decades – the desire to move back to rural.

“Existing research would suggest cities have the upper hand over villages – by the mid-century there will be approximately 65 million people living in Britain’s cities, compared to just 8 million in rural areas. However, as the urban trend has……

Georgian farmhouse in the prettiest of villages

Cheriton is a much favoured village within the South Downs National Park, surrounded by farmland and countryside and just a couple of miles from Alresford. This is the setting for North End Farm House, a beautiful Georgian home which has recently undergone renovation and refurbishment, retaining all the inherent character but also making this a perfect home for the 21st century.

This is a house of generous proportions with extensive entertaining areas and family living space, abounding with wonderful features such as exposed beams, sash windows with wood shutters, and woodburning stoves set in original fireplaces.

An impressive reception hall lies centrally within the house with access to a rear lobby and a protected sun terrace, as well as branching off to a fine drawing room on the southern side, a more relaxed sitting room, and the formal dining room. From a rear hall, a door opens to an ancillary wing with a study and a large utility room and also access from the hall to the glorious farmhouse style kitchen.

This is a masterpiece where it is easy to imagine the hustle and bustle of family life when generations come together as well as a haven of calm at other times. The hand painted cabinets have been designed around the Aga, together with a central island, space for a dining table and perhaps an armchair or two to create a comfortable work space and multi-functioning room.

On the first floor the two huge family bathrooms serve five lovely double bedrooms and a further interesting bedroom in the eaves; and the master suite, with its east and westerly aspects, has its own dressing room with walk-in wardrobe and a stunning bathroom. Several bedrooms have fireplaces and there is potential to create……

Built to a high specification in 2008 Brook House is a well designed detached family home in a great location within Wickham village. From this position in Tanfield Lane there are extensive views of the golf course to the front and the nature reserve to the rear yet it is also within an easy stroll of The Square and its fabulous local amenities. Wickham is a charming, historic village at the southern end of the Meon Valley with easy access to Fareham and the M27.

The accommodation has a fascinating and versatile layout over a series of split levels, taking into account the natural contours of the site and results in access out to a level garden. The house is beautifully presented with principal rooms radiating from the spacious entrance hall which has oak flooring, internal doors and a lovely staircase connecting the various floors.

A tiled floor flows between the superbly fitted kitchen and the dining room; and on the other side of the hall are the study and the utility room, which has a door to the garage.

A half flight of stairs leads down to the fabulous family room which is full of light, owing to the full height glazing and doors to the garden, and has a feature limestone fireplace. A more formal sitting room lies on the upper ground floor where the twin pairs of French doors with Juliette balconies allow lovely views over the nature reserve. There is also a cloakroom and storage on this level.

Four excellent bedrooms are arranged over two more split levels, two with their own bath or shower room and the other two both with access to the family bathroom.

Outside the house is perfectly framed by the now established landscaping and there is parking to the front……

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