St Mary’s Lodge CHITTERNE • St Mary’s Lodge CHITTERNE • WILTSHIRE

Beautifully presented detached house with land and glorious views

Warminster 7 miles • A303 8 miles • Westbury 9 miles Devizes 13 miles • Salisbury 17 miles • Andover 26 miles (London Waterloo 65 minutes) • Bath 28 miles Distances and times approximate

Entrance hall • Sitting room • Dining room Kitchen/breakfast room • Garden room • Snug • Utility • W.C

Master bedroom with ensuite shower room 4 further bedrooms and family bathroom with shower.

Charming cottage garden with paddock, wood shed, greenhouse and tool shed. Gravel driveway with off-road parking and detached garage.

In all about 1.67 acres

These particulars are intended only as a guide and must not be relied upon as statements of fact. Your attention is drawn to the Important Notice on the last page of the text. Situation • St Mary’s Lodge lies on the edge of Salisbury Plain in the small village of Chitterne. Chitterne is a friendly village with its own website (www.chitterne.com) and thriving village hall. Chitterne has its own cricket team and regular events programme including a flower festival and village fete. The Kings Head is a freehold pub well-known for its Real Ales and supports a village darts team and fortnightly quiz nights as well as many other seasonal events.

• The area is well known for its quiet lanes, rolling farmland and woodland with its extensive network of footbaths, bridleways and by-ways ideal for cycling, walking and riding. In addition, the area is famous for its chalk stream fishing. Stonehenge, a world heritage site, lies approximately 8 miles to the east.

• Salisbury lies about 17 miles to the south with its beautiful cathedral, excellent shopping and recreational facilities including the racecourse.

• The A303 provides access to London and the West Country. Rail links to London can be found at , Westbury, Grateley or Andover.

• Well-known state and independent schools include Warminster School, Dauntseys, South Wilts Grammar, Bishop Wordsworth’s, Godolphin, , Sandroyd, Port Regis and Chaffin Grove. There are village schools in neighbouring St Peter, Tilshead and Shrewton.

For Sale Freehold • St Mary’s Lodge is an attractive detached house believed to date from 17th century with later additions.

• The house has light, spacious and flexible accommodation throughout and is presented in very good order having been extensively refurbished by the current owners. As well as cosmetic updating, the property has been extensively and meticulously restored using traditional building methods and craftsmen.

• Particular features of the property include the fantastic kitchen/ breakfast room with central island, black limestone floor with Aga and the spacious master bedroom with ensuite shower room and south facing views.

• Charming period features include exposed beams, inglenook fireplaces and oak floors. All of the windows are double glazed with some being solid French oak. • A particular feature of the property are the magnifi cent views across the garden, paddock and fi elds beyond.

• The cottage garden is partially walled with a southerly aspect, herbaceous borders and a number of productive apple and plum trees. A walled and separately enclosed potager is laid with raised beds, providing a wide range of fruit and vegetables including quince, pear, two varieties of apple and cherries. There is also a useful greenhouse. The adjoining paddock is currently grazed by sheep but would be suitable for a pony or other livestock.

Services Mains water, electricity, private drainage and Broadband.

Local Authority Wiltshire Council. Tel: 0300 4560100

Fixtures & fi ttings All those items regarded as tenant’s fi xtures and fi ttings, together with the fi tted carpets, curtains and light fi ttings, are specifi cally excluded from the sale. However, certain items may be available by separate negotiation including the summer house.

Directions From the A303, continue past Amesbury and Stonehenge. At the roundabout, turn right onto the A360 signposted to Shrewton. Turn left onto the A344 at the next T-junction. After passing through the village of Shrewton take the B390 signed to Chitterne. St Mary’s Lodge will be found on the left hand side having passed the pub on the right and turning to Codford on the left. The Postcode is BA12 0LH.

Viewing Viewing by prior appointment only with the Agents.

Important Notice 1. Particulars: These particulars are not an off er or contract, nor part of one. You should not rely on statements by Knight Frank LLP in the particulars or by word of mouth or in writing (“information”) as being factually accurate about the property, its condition or its value. Neither Knight Frank LLP nor any joint agent has any authority to make any representations about the property, and accordingly any information given 01488 682726 is entirely without responsibility on the part of the agents, seller(s) or lessor(s). 2. Photos etc: The photographs Ramsbury House, 22 High Street show only certain parts of the property as they appeared at the time they were taken. Areas, measurements and distances given are approximate only. 3. Regulations etc: Any reference to alterations to, or use of, any Hungerford, Berkshire RG17 0NF part of the property does not mean that any necessary planning, building regulations or other consent has been [email protected] obtained. A buyer or lessee must fi nd out by inspection or in other ways that these matters have been properly dealt with and that all information is correct. 4. VAT: The VAT position relating to the property may change without notice. Particulars dated: July 2015. Photographs dated: July 2015. Knight Frank LLP is a limited liability KnightFrank.co.uk/hungerford partnership registered in with registered number OC305934. Our registered offi ce is 55 Baker Street, London, W1U 8AN, where you may look at a list of members’ names. Additional information from the owners, Amanda and Jeremy:

The Property

We bought St. Mary’s 11 years ago to be nearer Jeremy’s work at Dauntsey’s School. Chitterne has always The two wood burners are effi cient and good seasoned hardwood logs are delivered locally. been considered locally as a desirable village to live in. The initial appeal of the house to us was the infi nite room for expansion and development. The kitchen worktops have been hand fi nished in Elm and apart from its beauty as a wood, is practical and forgiving as a work surface. The fl oors are black limestone and cleaned and polished in the same way as The large garden is within the development boundary of the Conservation Area. We could see not only the the oak fl ooring. The central island has two fi tted electric sockets for appliances and a useful sink. Gourmet possibility of buying extra land around St. Mary’s for our horses and hens, which we have done, but also meals and wedding breakfasts have been produced in this kitchen and it has been designed for friends the possibility of building a second cottage (we have considered Border Oak kits) where the summer house and children to sit and talk while you cook. is situated currently, and splitting the two properties; something for the next owners as a project if they wish to add value or rental income potential. Upstairs, there is planning consent for the installation of another shower room in the space between the fi rst and the second bedrooms. We have these plans available if you wished to The house was originally three cottages and as recently as the late 50’s the East end was occupied consider this. separately. You can see the remains of the original staircase in the corner of the sitting room. The main structure of the house is stone and fl int with a lime and chalk/fl int rubble infi ll, common in this area and The shower in the family bathroom was re fi tted this year using Marble tiles from Mandarin Stone in Bath period. We believe that there have been dwellings here at least as far back as the 15th century. and a Hansgrohe monsoon shower.

We let the house for 2 years after Jeremy retired, and the income funded a ‘gap year’ rental in Devon by We replaced the roof in 2005 and the roof space is well insulated. The guttering is Aluminium. We the sea. We believe the current rental value is around £2,500 per calender month. There is a good Holiday constructed the Potager in the old driveway and have planning permission to erect a 1.2 metre wall to the Letting opportunity because of its location in the ‘golden triangle’ of Bath, Salisbury and Frome. Current same height as the existing garden wall but preferred to plant espalier fruit trees against a lower wall. The rates for fully serviced accommodation are from £1,100 per week. extension housing the kitchen and master bedroom is block with a lime render. The entire house has been painted with lime apart from the Eastern brick wall which has a modern weathershield paint applied. The In 2014 we reclaimed the house and took the opportunity to completely gut the downstairs living rooms septic tank is situated by the summer house and this is emptied once a year. and reconfi gure the layout. We have meticulously restored by re-pointing the walls with lime mortars; lining the North walls with Delta Membrane; Lime rendered, plastered and painted with Little Green Distemper. The croquet lawn has also doubled as an extra paddock for grazing. The Meadow is currently used by We moved the front door to the East end of the house and converted the old brick fl oored hallway into a local smallholder to graze his sheep, which he rotates around the village. He is happy to continue this a cosy snug/study. The solid wide English Oak boards in the dining room, sitting room and hall are laid arrangement if the new owner wishes. It could also make a fabulous garden. over insulation. Rhys Brookes of Harrison Brookes Architects, specialising in Listed and Ancient buildings, managed the project. There is a comprehensive schedule of works available if interested. A Winterborne runs through the village and the meadow during January, February and some years into March, depending on rainfall on the surrounding Plain. This year there were Snipe and Duck nesting on the The Aga is brand new and was commissioned Easter 2015. Apart from its cooking benefi ts, it radiates banks. steady heat throughout the house. We have also taken the opportunity to install a new Grant Vortex Pro condensing Boiler with a Balancing system which provides copious hot water and central heating. The Most of the larger properties in Chitterne employ Charlie Micklem to cut lawns and strim on a regular combined costs for all cooking, heating and hot water is around £30 per week. basis. Gardeners are also locally available. Shrewton Steam Laundry will collect sheets and laundry when required. I have used them in the past when we ran a Bed and Breakfast business at St. Mary’s. The Village

Chitterne is not a Dormitory Village; so if you are planning to move your family out from Town or commute There are good schools in the area, both State and Independent. School Buses pick village children up for or retire here, you will not be left high and dry without a social network to support you. Dauntsey’s, Warminster School and Kingdown. Our son was at Sandroyd and went on to Millfield and our youngest daughter went through Dauntsey’s. It is a thriving community with an eclectic mix of residents: Blacksmith; Plain Ales micro brewer; Barristers; the High Sheriff of Wiltshire; Artists; Historians; Archaeologists; young families; teens; Farmers; Carpenters; We are downsizing and moving to Pembrokeshire to be near Amanda’s elderly mother who has returned Game Keepers; Interior Designers; Army Officers; Train Drivers. All get together in the Freehold King’s Head from India after 25 years. Pub for quizzes, darts or just a very good Beer. So there you have it; a lovely family home situated in a unique and very special Plains Village. We hope you There is a Bonfire and Fireworks on the 5th November; Flower show; Dog show and Fete. Children’s love it as much as we gave loved living here. activities are run from the village hall in the holidays and the Recreation field. Evening Classes in the Autumn Amanda and Jeremy and Winter. A mobile Library visits regularly. Chitterne is also part of the Wyley Art trail in the Spring. There is a good Cricket team (and even better teas). If you want to try Bell ringing, there is usually a slot available. The village hall puts on a breakfast every weekend to raise funds and bring villagers together. For riders or followers, the Royal Artillery Hunt meet in Chitterne on Boxing Day.

There is no street lighting in the village, because the villagers wish to maintain the dark unpolluted skies; which makes for an interesting walk back from the village hall at night if you have forgotten your torch. The Plain remains the largest area of Natural Grassland in Europe. Walk 200 yards from St. Mary’s and you are on the Imber path in a world of ancient tracks and amazing riding country. We have nesting pairs of Red Kite; Sparrow Hawks; Barn Owls and Brown Owls and regularly watch Hare playing the fields adjoining the house. We did have a family of Weazles living in the dry stone wall in the garden earlier this year. Great Bustard were introduced from Russia on to the Plain about 10 years ago. During the shooting season (guns available locally at Valley Farm if you shoot), the garden becomes a refuge for a coterie of Partridge and Pheasant. Fishing Licenses are available for good Chalk Stream Fishing on the Wyley from about £96 per Rod.

To this village, the B390 is an Artery giving easy access to Bath; Glastonbury and Larmer Tree Festivals; Stourhead; and Salisbury. We were at Glastonbury Abbey a few weeks ago for a picnic and to see Ray Davies of the Kinks. We regularly go to the Theatre Royal and supper in Bath. The nearest Waitrose and Lidl are 20 minutes away in Warminster. Berry’s Coach company runs daily services to London Hammersmith for the princely sum of £20 return from Codford if you don’t fancy a direct train from either Westbury or Grateley. We have flown out of Bristol and Southampton, both of which are within an hours drive of Chitterne. Heathrow is around 1hr 20mins.