UK Property News

Very pretty Garden Cottage

Beautifully situated within an enclosed garden at Itchen Stoke, this lovely village cottage enjoys one of Hampshire’s picturesque river valleys and has countryside views. Lying between Alresford and Winchester, there are plenty of amenities within easy reach but essentially this home offers a country lifestyle.

Approached over a driveway, which also provides parking for three cars, the cottage is tucked away and enjoys a private position with the windows primarily facing over the garden. An enclosed porch opens to the entrance hall which has doors off to the modern fitted kitchen/dining room on one flank and a reception room or third bedroom on the other, complete with adjacent shower room. The sitting room is an attractive brick and flint extension with a southerly aspect and access out to the garden.

Stairs from the hall rise to the first floor where there are two double bedrooms, one with its own shower room, and the family bathroom.

At the front of the cottage a wooden gate set in a high wall gives access into the enclosed garden which is mainly laid to lawn for ease of maintenance.

This lovely cottage is available on an unfurnished basis at a monthly rent of £1,575. Debbie-Anne Taylor at Savills in Winchester will be happy to help with enquiries and can be contacted on 01962 834021.…

A unique opportunity has arisen to rent a fabulous Georgian country house, fully furnished and set in two and a half acres of gardens and grounds which encompass a swimming pool, tennis court and manege with stables.

Grade II listed and enjoying a lovely location within ten miles of Winchester, Fir Tree Farmhouse at Horton Heath offers very spacious accommodation including a self contained annexe.

The house has been meticulously maintained and the lovely period features blend well with the modern touches that have been introduced to provide comfort. The layout allows for a versatile lifestyle and the principal living space is impressive with high ceilings, tall sash windows and a fantastic Smallbone kitchen with a breakfast area and space for relaxing.

The annexe has its own entrance hall and staircase up to two bedrooms and a bathroom and also has the flexibility to connect with the main house on both floors.

An extensive driveway is accessed via electrically operated wrought iron gates and there is a turning circle with access to the double garage and a further drive to another garage. The gardens adjoin farmland and paddock and there is a sunny terrace close to the heated pool and pool house, and a further outbuilding is currently arranged as a gym.

The manege is approximately 20m x 40m with stables, a hay store and tack room located adjacent to the property.

Offered on the market at a monthly rent of £4,750 this glorious house could be made available by early July. Contact Charters in Winchester for more details on 01962 830880.…

A house occupied by only three families since it was built 136 years ago – and had an important role in the development of world tree preservation – is looking for new owners.

Appropriately named The Firs, the property in Beacon Road, West End, Southampton, was built in 1880 for John St Barbe Baker, a lay minister. But his son, Richard, brought the house to world prominence as it was from here that he ran The Men of The Trees Society, founded 92 years ago next month. It has since become the International Tree Foundation with the aim of undertaking non-political, worldwide tree conservation.

It is widely held that Baker, who sold the house in 1959, was far ahead of his time in connecting trees and the survival of the planet – many of the seedlings he grew were nurtured in the garden at West End. Other evidence of his skill includes the concrete base in the front garden of the revolving summer house he built for his mother when he was only 12 and already dextrous in the use of woodworking tools.

The drawing room, added with the room above when he was only four years old, was where he did his writing but even in his father’s day prominent visitors were not unknown, including the Rev Melville Churchill, cousin of Sir Winston, who used to journey on foot from Bishops Waltham every month. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, also joined theological discussion there.

Since Richard St Barbe Baker emigrated to New Zealand in 1959, only two families, including the current owners, have lived at The Firs, which with its double ground floor bays flanking a glass roofed canopy for the front door and the orangery to one side is distinctive with its rendered walls and brilliant……

Prime positon within Peninsula Square

This classically proportioned townhouse occupies an outstanding position on the south eastern corner of Peninsula Square boasting fine views over Winchester and countryside beyond from the rear and the peaceful outlook at the front over the exquisite formal gardens.

This particular house, being at the end of this impressive row of townhouses, enjoys an abundance of light with all principal rooms benefitting from dual aspect sash windows. This, combined with exceptionally high ceilings, creates wonderful living space over three floors.

From the wide entrance hall double doors open to a reception room at the front of the house, equally suitable as a study or snug, and then on through to the extensive kitchen and open plan dining room at the rear which opens to the garden.

The drawing room, with its ornate fireplace, is on the first floor and enjoys spectacular views as does the master bedroom suite which lies above, complete with its own bathroom and walk-in closet.

There is a second spacious bedroom suite, two further bedrooms, all with fitted wardrobes, and a family shower room.

The part-walled garden is exceptionally private and enjoys a southerly aspect with outstanding views from the top terrace. Steps lead down to a lower terrace which is ideal for alfresco dining. There is a further paved area to the side of the property, as well as gated access to the rear and a garden store. There are two designated parking spaces as well as visitor parking

The property is well-placed to take advantage of the city with its extensive amenities and excellent cultural, shopping and leisure facilities. The railway station is less than half a mile away with fast connections into Waterloo making regular commuting bearable and flitting up to West End shows, exhibitions and……

A fascinating property combined with a business investment is going to auction next month with Pearsons.

Located within an elevated, rural setting about five miles south of Winchester at Baybridge Lane, Owslebury, the property currently comprises a superbly crafted holiday home with four double bedrooms and an adjoining property of a similar size which is currently a workshop but which has planning consent for conversion to a further holiday investment.

Formerly used as a carpenter’s workshop, Acorn Lodges sit in a very attractive quiet country setting in the South Downs and the converted property has only recently been offered to the holiday market.

Tastefully and carefully developed to provide light and spacious accommodation, the principal living space lies over the top floor and has a vaulted ceiling throughout the open plan living, dining and kitchen areas. Four of the bedrooms have their own shower rooms and there is a further bathroom.

Families can enjoy a peaceful holiday here with their own suntrap terrace and steps up to a garden together with plenty of parking. The amenities in the surrounding area are excellent with acres of countryside to explore together with good road connections to towns and cities across the south coast.

The auction is to be held at The Hilton Hotel, The Ageas Bowl, West End, Southampton on 13 July and a price guide is given at £375,000 for the freehold.

Enquiries should be carried out prior to the auction and further information is available by contacting Pearsons in Winchester on 01962 853344.…

Potential buyers who viewed an impressive scheme to create nine homes in a Winchester city centre church have been quick to come back with reservations.

The scheme at St Thomas Church in Southgate Street drew an enthusiastic response from guests invited to preview it on launch night and now two have come back with reservations for homes at the multi-million pound scheme.

“I knew as soon as I saw the plans for St Thomas’s that we were looking at something special,” said Chris Gooch, partner in charge of residential sales for Carter Jonas in Winchester. “But seeing the high quality of the finished showhomes inside the Victorian church shows that Hemdean Ltd is the perfect developer to carry out the scheme.

“For many years the Victorian and Grade II-listed church has successfully fulfilled other roles within its unaltered exterior, most notably as home to the Hampshire County Records Office. The current scheme is seeing it converted into nine superbly luxurious homes with a total value in excess of £8 million.

“I have been receiving an enthusiastic response since the launch event. The church is an integral part of the city centre and a short walk from all the features that make Winchester such a vibrant and appealing place. It’s easy to see why The Sunday Times recently Winchester declared Winchester the best place to live in England.”

The new apartments, including one within the tower itself, just beneath the spire and with spectacular views, are being created by Hemdean (St Thomas) Ltd to offer comfortable layouts, the best quality fittings from Bulthaup, Miele, and Porcelanosa, and a sumptuous lifestyle. Guide prices range from £625,000 to £1.45 million but owners of each apartment will take satisfaction from the high standards of unique design, construction, and finish.

While in a prime city……