House For Sale £3,850,000
** virtual viewing tour available on this property via request **
The Old Rectory is accessed via wrought iron gates set in stone piers and approached down a long sweeping tree lined drive leading to the front of the house. The drive is awash with wild flowers and specimen trees. A large gravel parking area provides ample space for a number of vehicles. It is thought that there was a former Rectory on this site since 1215. The house itself is Grade II Listed and dates back to circa 1640 with a Georgian extension and later Victorian additions, which have been sympathetically added onto the property over the years. The property has been meticulously restored and carefully improved by the current owners, making for a stunning home filled with light throughout. Many period features have been retained during the restoration, providing a functional yet contemporary feel.
A beautiful Jacobean entrance opens into the internal hallway, finished with restored polished floorboards, from which all the main reception rooms lead. The vaulted family room, which leads from the kitchen, is thought to be the old chapel school room and understood to be the oldest part of the property. The inglenook fireplace, which has been carefully restored now includes a large wood burner and is the focal point of this room, along with a stunning stained glass window, which is thought to date from the 14th Century.
There are three further reception rooms along the front façade, all south facing, two of which have open fireplaces and have large sash windows making for light and bright entertaining space. The library, which is currently used as a study, is dual aspect and has a pretty bay window with views across the front and side of the property.
The kitchen/breakfast room is most definitely the heart of the home with bespoke hand-made oak units, a 4-oven oil fired aga and French doors onto the garden east-facing terrace; perfect for breakfast overlooking the lawn in the warmer months. There is a substantial central island topped with a solid piece of marble, offering plenty of space for informal dining in the kitchen. A newly installed glass lantern adds additional light into this room, making for a bright and light space throughout the day. The ground floor further comprises a utility room/back kitchen, walk in larder with original slate tops and
shelving, a laundry room, cellar and downstairs cloakroom.
Rising up the elegant and gently sweeping staircase to the first floor is the principal suite, which occupies the majority of the east wing and makes for a magnificent principal bedroom with an open fireplace and three floor to ceiling sash windows with working shutters and views across the parkland grounds. The principal bedroom benefits from underfloor heating. This room was originally the formal drawing room, but was converted by the current owners into the principal suite and has a large bathroom with roll top ball and claw bath and walk in dressing room with fitted wardrobes. A discreet set of stairs leads down to the back hall and kitchen beyond. There are seven further well-proportioned bedrooms, one of which has an en-suite bathroom and fitted robes. There are four family bathrooms and a wet room on the first and second floors.<br /><br />The Old Rectory is situated on the edge of the peaceful and picturesque village of Chilmark, within the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village is made up of pretty period houses and is surrounded by rolling countryside, making for a sought-after and desirable location. There are splendid walks across the surrounding countryside. The village has an active community with a village hall offering many events throughout the social calendar. There is a primary school and a public house which has recently been refurbished and is under new management.
There are excellent links to the nearby towns and villages and access to the A303 is less than 3 miles away to the north providing links to the M3 to London and M5 to Exeter. The desirable and bustling town of Tisbury is just 2.5 miles to the south and there is an array of artisan producers and retailers along the high street including a post office, fishmongers, butcher, grocery store, superb delicatessen, cafes, coffee shops, a leisure centre and a mainline train station offering direct access to London or the West Country (London Waterloo 1 hr 49 mins). The Beckford Arms is located just outside Tisbury and is widely regarded as one of the best pubs in the area.
Further amenities can be found in the Cathedral city of Salisbury, just 12 miles east, where there is a wealth of shops, restaurants, bars, a cinema, a theatre and a mainline station (Waterloo 1 hr 28 mins).
There are exceptional primary and secondary schools in the area including Hindon, Chilmark and Wardour, Sherborne, South Wilts for Girls, Godolphin, Bishop Wordsworth’s School for Boys, Hazelgrove, Bryanston and Clayesmore.<br /><br />Courtyard and Outbuildings
Positioned to the rear of the house is a traditional cobbled and enclosed courtyard with a range of traditional outbuildings, including a former coach house (which offers the potential for conversion into an annexe if needed Ref: S/2001/1812 - now lapsed), a stable block with tack and rug rooms and machinery stores. The courtyard is accessed off the main drive or through the rear door of the main house along the back hall. The swimming pool plant is housed within one of the outbuildings. From the courtyard, there is access to the walled garden and walled swimming pool area.
Gardens and Grounds
The Old Rectory occupies a rare and secluded position within beautifully tendered gardens and established grounds. The privacy owing to the border of mature trees and hedges. To the side of the house is a terrace providing a fabulous entertaining space for summer events and a large area of lawn adding to the outstanding setting. The walled garden to the rear of the house has been carefully planted with herbaceous beds, gravelled paths, a fruit cage, and established vegetable and cut flower beds.
There is also a heated glasshouse which overlooks an attractive lawn area and a chicken run stands in the northern corner. The heated swimming pool, which was installed in 2010 on the site of the old piggery, occupies a private spot within the grounds and is enclosed by a pretty stone wall, making for a peaceful haven on hot days. There is also hard tennis court which sits to the south eastern edge of the property and a woodland area which is abundant with wild flowers. Beyond the gardens, the grounds are bordered by magnificent specimen trees and generally open parkland. In fact, the property was believed to be historically known as ‘The Park’ and whilst the current owners have created some paddocks, this could easily be reinstated. To the north of the property, a full-sized outdoor riding arena stands back from the driveway, which was installed in 2013
The Old Rectory is accessed via wrought iron gates set in stone piers and approached down a long sweeping tree lined drive leading to the front of the house. The drive is awash with wild flowers and specimen trees. A large gravel parking area provides ample space for a number of vehicles. It is thought that there was a former Rectory on this site since 1215. The house itself is Grade II Listed and dates back to circa 1640 with a Georgian extension and later Victorian additions, which have been sympathetically added onto the property over the years. The property has been meticulously restored and carefully improved by the current owners, making for a stunning home filled with light throughout. Many period features have been retained during the restoration, providing a functional yet contemporary feel.
A beautiful Jacobean entrance opens into the internal hallway, finished with restored polished floorboards, from which all the main reception rooms lead. The vaulted family room, which leads from the kitchen, is thought to be the old chapel school room and understood to be the oldest part of the property. The inglenook fireplace, which has been carefully restored now includes a large wood burner and is the focal point of this room, along with a stunning stained glass window, which is thought to date from the 14th Century.
There are three further reception rooms along the front façade, all south facing, two of which have open fireplaces and have large sash windows making for light and bright entertaining space. The library, which is currently used as a study, is dual aspect and has a pretty bay window with views across the front and side of the property.
The kitchen/breakfast room is most definitely the heart of the home with bespoke hand-made oak units, a 4-oven oil fired aga and French doors onto the garden east-facing terrace; perfect for breakfast overlooking the lawn in the warmer months. There is a substantial central island topped with a solid piece of marble, offering plenty of space for informal dining in the kitchen. A newly installed glass lantern adds additional light into this room, making for a bright and light space throughout the day. The ground floor further comprises a utility room/back kitchen, walk in larder with original slate tops and
shelving, a laundry room, cellar and downstairs cloakroom.
Rising up the elegant and gently sweeping staircase to the first floor is the principal suite, which occupies the majority of the east wing and makes for a magnificent principal bedroom with an open fireplace and three floor to ceiling sash windows with working shutters and views across the parkland grounds. The principal bedroom benefits from underfloor heating. This room was originally the formal drawing room, but was converted by the current owners into the principal suite and has a large bathroom with roll top ball and claw bath and walk in dressing room with fitted wardrobes. A discreet set of stairs leads down to the back hall and kitchen beyond. There are seven further well-proportioned bedrooms, one of which has an en-suite bathroom and fitted robes. There are four family bathrooms and a wet room on the first and second floors.<br /><br />The Old Rectory is situated on the edge of the peaceful and picturesque village of Chilmark, within the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village is made up of pretty period houses and is surrounded by rolling countryside, making for a sought-after and desirable location. There are splendid walks across the surrounding countryside. The village has an active community with a village hall offering many events throughout the social calendar. There is a primary school and a public house which has recently been refurbished and is under new management.
There are excellent links to the nearby towns and villages and access to the A303 is less than 3 miles away to the north providing links to the M3 to London and M5 to Exeter. The desirable and bustling town of Tisbury is just 2.5 miles to the south and there is an array of artisan producers and retailers along the high street including a post office, fishmongers, butcher, grocery store, superb delicatessen, cafes, coffee shops, a leisure centre and a mainline train station offering direct access to London or the West Country (London Waterloo 1 hr 49 mins). The Beckford Arms is located just outside Tisbury and is widely regarded as one of the best pubs in the area.
Further amenities can be found in the Cathedral city of Salisbury, just 12 miles east, where there is a wealth of shops, restaurants, bars, a cinema, a theatre and a mainline station (Waterloo 1 hr 28 mins).
There are exceptional primary and secondary schools in the area including Hindon, Chilmark and Wardour, Sherborne, South Wilts for Girls, Godolphin, Bishop Wordsworth’s School for Boys, Hazelgrove, Bryanston and Clayesmore.<br /><br />Courtyard and Outbuildings
Positioned to the rear of the house is a traditional cobbled and enclosed courtyard with a range of traditional outbuildings, including a former coach house (which offers the potential for conversion into an annexe if needed Ref: S/2001/1812 - now lapsed), a stable block with tack and rug rooms and machinery stores. The courtyard is accessed off the main drive or through the rear door of the main house along the back hall. The swimming pool plant is housed within one of the outbuildings. From the courtyard, there is access to the walled garden and walled swimming pool area.
Gardens and Grounds
The Old Rectory occupies a rare and secluded position within beautifully tendered gardens and established grounds. The privacy owing to the border of mature trees and hedges. To the side of the house is a terrace providing a fabulous entertaining space for summer events and a large area of lawn adding to the outstanding setting. The walled garden to the rear of the house has been carefully planted with herbaceous beds, gravelled paths, a fruit cage, and established vegetable and cut flower beds.
There is also a heated glasshouse which overlooks an attractive lawn area and a chicken run stands in the northern corner. The heated swimming pool, which was installed in 2010 on the site of the old piggery, occupies a private spot within the grounds and is enclosed by a pretty stone wall, making for a peaceful haven on hot days. There is also hard tennis court which sits to the south eastern edge of the property and a woodland area which is abundant with wild flowers. Beyond the gardens, the grounds are bordered by magnificent specimen trees and generally open parkland. In fact, the property was believed to be historically known as ‘The Park’ and whilst the current owners have created some paddocks, this could easily be reinstated. To the north of the property, a full-sized outdoor riding arena stands back from the driveway, which was installed in 2013
