The Brook House Himbleton | Worcestershire

Fine & Country Tel: +44 (0)1905 678111 The Brook House [email protected] Himbleton | Worcestershire | WR9 7LQ 12 Victoria Square, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire WR9 8DS

The Brook House Cover_DP.indd 1-3 08/06/2017 11:23 FINE & COUNTRY

Fine & Country is a global network of estate This unique approach to luxury homes marketing agencies specialising in the marketing, sale and delivers high quality, intelligent and creative rental of luxury residential property. With offices concepts for property promotion combined with THE BROOK HOUSE in the UK, Australia, Egypt, France, Hungary, Italy, the latest technology and marketing techniques. Malta, Namibia, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, The Channel Islands, UAE, USA and West We understand moving home is one of the “It was the beautiful location which first attracted us to Brook House,” say the current owners of Africa we combine the widespread exposure of the most important decisions you make; your home this expansive country house in Worcestershire. international marketplace with the local expertise is both a financial and emotional investment. and knowledge of carefully selected independent With Fine & Country you benefit from the local property professionals. knowledge, experience, expertise and contacts of a well trained, educated and courteous team of Fine & Country appreciates the most exclusive professionals, working to make the sale or purchase properties require a more compelling, sophisticated of your property as stress free as possible. and intelligent presentation - leading to a common, yet uniquely exercised and successful strategy emphasising the lifestyle qualities of the property.

The production of these particulars has generated a £10 donation THE FINE & COUNTRY to the Fine & Country Foundation, charity no. 1160989, striving to relieve homelessness. FOUNDATION Visit fineandcountry.com/uk/foundation 6

The Brook House Cover_DP.indd 4-6 08/06/2017 11:23 The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 1 08/06/2017 11:23 The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 2 08/06/2017 11:23 The Brook House is an exceptional Grade II Listed Tudor Country Residence situated in the popular rural village of Himbleton. This outstanding property retains many individual features from the Tudor period and it stands within beautifully maintained formal gardens which feature topiaried yew hedges.

The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 3 08/06/2017 11:23 Accommodation summary

Ground Floor The property is approached through a timber framed pitched roof open Porch with carved pillars and inserts. The flagged flooring leads to a heavy timber door to the entrance hall. The Hall has oak wall panelling, timber wall and ceiling beams and an original flagstone floor. A useful cloakroom with hanging space for cloaks and a WC and wash basin are found off the hall which leads to the Reception Hall which is a delightful room with triple aspect views across the gardens and also has flagstone flooring. The Sitting Room has a large log burner and oak panelled walls with intricately moulded wall cornicing above, quarry tiled floor and doors leading to the Inner Hall, Snug and Hall. The Snug has a large open fireplace with carved stone surround, an oak mantelpiece with carved panels above, oak flooring and an exceptional carved archway which has a matching pair of sliding panelled doors which lead into the Inner Hallway. An oak staircase and under stairs cupboard are in the Inner Hall which leads to the inner lobby and Dining Room. A large fireplace with stone pillars, timber mantel and carved panels above are found in the extensive Dining Room which also has a low heavy timber door which leads to the rear garden.

The Rear Hall has a large walk in Butler’s Pantry and a Laundry Room with fitted units, a sink and a stable door to the garden. The kitchen has been renovated in recent years and has cream units with black granite work tops, a three oven Aga with AIMS (aga intelligent management system), built in dishwasher, fridge, convection oven, induction hob and microwave.

The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 4 08/06/2017 11:23 The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 5 08/06/2017 11:23 Seller Insight

When we moved in,” the owners say, “the house was lovely but needed updating, so we proceeded to make substantial improvements including the installation of central heating and better lighting. We fitted a new kitchen and bathroom, converted the granary and re-landscaped the garden. The whole property has been truly transformed, but remains full of historic character, with its oak panelling and elegant black and white ceilings. Dating back to 1824, the lovely clock in the clock house is a particularly special feature.”

The property has proved ideal both for family life and for entertaining. “The kitchen is the social hub of the house,” say the owners, “and is often where guests tend to congregate when we have people over for dinner. We have had countless dinner parties and gatherings here over the years, with the possibility to seat two-dozen people around the dining table for lunch. The cosy snug is another favourite room of ours for relaxing, quiet evenings. Our children were teenagers when we moved here, and are now grown up with children of their own, so this has been a great family house for us, too.”

The situation of the property is also fantastic, within walking distance of the local cricket club and a popular pub. “The friendly Galton Arms is wonderfully close” say the owners. “By the time you have walked down the driveway you are halfway there! There is also a pretty little church nearby, with the Coat of Arms of Queen Elizabeth I on the wall showing that she must have visited at one time. The local primary school is also within easy reach.”

Transport in the area is extremely convenient, with the M5 North only 8 miles and M5 South 5 miles from the property, enabling access to Birmingham International Airport within circa 45 minutes. “With the new train station being built in Worcester, travel to London will be even easier, too” say the owners.*

The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 6 08/06/2017 11:23 The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 7 08/06/2017 11:23 The kitchen is wonderfully spacious and ideal for someone who loves to cook as much as I do. The layout is superb, so I have everything I want, exactly when and where I want it.”

The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 8 08/06/2017 11:23 The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 9 08/06/2017 11:23 On the first floor are five bedrooms, all of which areofa substantial size and all have outstanding views across different aspects of the gardens. The Master Bedroom Suite has a range of fitted bedroom furniture, a large walk in wardrobe and an en-suite bathroom with jacuzzi bath, corner shower unit and pedestal wash basin, WC and bidet. Bedrooms two and three both have wash hand basins and built in wardrobes. Bedroom four has a wash basin with a mirror above. Bedroom five is currently used as a study, and has a shower room with power shower and wash hand basin and a separate WC. The large Family Bathroom has a built in linen cupboard, bath and wash stand and there is also a separate WC adjacent to the bathroom.

The Second Floor has a suite of adjoining attic rooms which provide an opportunity for further bedrooms plus a range of storage rooms. Further additional attic rooms house hot water tanks and a large storage area.

The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 10 08/06/2017 11:23 The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 11 08/06/2017 11:23 Outside The Brook House enjoys an imposing approach through electrically operated gates and has a long drive through a lawned Orchard of cherry, damson and Worcester pear trees, into a generous courtyard, around which are arranged The Granary, outbuildings and garages.

The Granary House is a two-storey brick built cottage with tiled roof which was converted from an old barn. It has a hallway, kitchen with a sitting/dining area and a shower/cloakroom on the ground floor and two good sized bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. There is a small courtyard garden to the rear. The property is currently rented out as a separate dwelling but would be useful for elderly relatives, an au pair or teenagers.

The property has garaging for up to five cars. There is a single detached brick built garage with electric door, formerly a coach house and a further double detached garage with boarded loft area and electrically operated doors.

An open period barn provides useful storage, and is currently used to store logs and firewood and has electricity, water and an adjoining dog kennel with a run.

The Clock House is an attractive period brick built building with a restored 1824 Allport of Birmingham movement with clock in dormer facing the courtyard.

The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 12 08/06/2017 11:23 Beyond the courtyard, the house stands within beautifully maintained formal gardens with stone terracing to the front, side and rear of the property. The sweeping lawn and numerous well stocked borders lie to the western aspect of the house and two parallel yew hedges enclose a further lawn with some magnificent topiary at the far end providing an enchanting feature which leads the eye to the view out across the open countryside. A number of hardwood trees provide a border on the one side of the property, at the head of which is a tree which was planted in 1937 in commemoration of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

There is a well-maintained Kitchen Garden which includes a large asparagus bed, peas, blackcurrants, redcurrants, rhubarb, broad beans and many other varieties of fruit and vegetables.

An all-weather tennis court is another feature of this fine house and it is screened in part by adjoining yew hedging.

The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 13 08/06/2017 11:24 We will miss the tranquil position of the property, in the midst of beautiful countryside.”

The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 14 08/06/2017 11:24 The gardens are not only extensive but truly spectacular, with lawns, well stocked flowerbeds, mature trees and even a tennis court, as well as a variety of substantial outbuildings.”

The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 15 08/06/2017 11:24 WORCESTERSHIRE

Located within the very sought after central Worcestershire settlement of Himbleton. A quintessential English village, the focal point of which is the Galton Arms. Himbleton is also blessed with a thriving primary school, village cricket team and parish church. If education is a priority then the country town and cathedral city of Worcester (7 miles to the west) is well served with both the Kings School and Royal Grammar School. The ancient market town of Bromsgrove (11 miles to the north) is also recognised for its public school.

One of the smallest counties in the UK, Worcestershire is a rural area of the midlands, bordering Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. The county is known as being the birthplace of composer Edward Elgar and the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien’s renowned books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Places of interest include Croome Court, Hanbury Hall, Broadway Tower, West Midlands Safari Park, The Worcester Porcelain Museum and The Forge Mill Needle Museum.

Other principal settlements in Worcestershire are Bromsgrove, Stourport-on-Severn, Droitwich, Redditch, Evesham, Kidderminster and Malvern, while smaller towns include Bewdley, Pershore, Tenbury Wells and Upton upon Severn.

Within a few minutes drive of Worcester are some exceptional picturesque walks around Abberley, Great Witley and all along the ridges of the Malvern Hills.

The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 16 08/06/2017 11:24 The Brook House Pages_DP.indd 17 08/06/2017 11:24 Services Mains water and electricity. Private drainage arrangements. Oil fired central heating. Electric Aga. Security system with CCTV and electric inner gates.

Local Authority Wychavon District Council Council Tax Band H

Viewing Arrangements Strictly via the vendors sole agents Fine & Country on 01905 678111.

Website For more information visit www.fineandcountry.com

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 5.30 pm Saturday 9.00 am – 2.00 pm

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. * These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent. Printed 08.06.2017

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The Brook House Cover_DP.indd 4-6 08/06/2017 11:23 Fine & Country Tel: +44 (0)1905 678111 The Brook House [email protected] Himbleton | Worcestershire | WR9 7LQ 12 Victoria Square, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire WR9 8DS

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