Horsebridge Road, Kings Somborne, SO20
A rare opportunity to purchase a charming three bedroom semi detached character cottage in a peaceful rural setting within an attrractive hamlet close to the renowned River Test and Test Way
Property Details
DESCRIPTION
A semi detached period cottage constructed of attractive brick and oak framed rendered elevations beneath a pitched tiled roof. It is believed that the cottage was built during the late 1800s as a farm worker’s cottage, and part of the Compton Estate owned by the Sopwith family. Tommy Sopwith (son) was famous in the 1930s for his ‘Sopwith Camel and Endeavour’, the J class racing yacht. The land immediately behind the cottage also has an interesting history, being part of the Andover to Redbridge (Southampton) canal which was dug during the 1790s and closed in 1859, re-opening in 1865 as the London to South West railway. The hamlet of Horsebridge was formed around the railway station, which was eventually decommissioned in the 1960s, some lock gates and sleepers can still be found along the track.
The Compton Estate workers’ cottages were sold during the 1980s and number 3 was bought by the present owners in 2003 in a tired and dated condition. During their occupation they have carefully and lovingly restored the cottage to its current condition whilst retaining its Victorian character. The property has been completely rewired and replumbed with a modern ‘Rayburn’ range oven combined with an oil fired boiler which provides central heating via steel column radiators made to order in Italy. The windows were replaced with hardwood framed thin double glazed units with the exception of one of the kitchen windows. The layout has also been altered and improved with accommodation now comprising a reception hall with cloakroom, a dual aspect open plan sitting/dining room with attractive fireplace and a remodelled country kitchen with beech work surfaces and ‘Rayburn’. To the first floor there are three bedrooms and a family bathroom.
The cottage faces south with the main garden lying to the side with a south westerly aspect. On the opposite side of the lane the current owners enjoy the use of an extended garden/off road parking area by way of an Agricultural Licence from the Highways Authority, where there are raised vegetable beds and a fruit cage.
LOCATION
The cottage is situated in the hamlet of Horsebridge in the Test Valley which has direct access onto the renowned Test Way. There is also a public house in the hamlet, however the nearby village of King’s Somborne offers everyday facilities including a Post Office/store, primary school, church and public house. The picturesque town of Stockbridge, traversed by the River Test, is just five minutes away to north, the abbey town of Romsey is approximately seven miles to the south, and the cathedral cities of Salisbury and Winchester are both within a half hour drive. There are also excellent road links to London and the West Country via the M3 and A303 and also to the South Coast.
ACCOMMODATION
Clay tiled PORCH with exposed wooden supports. Braced and ledged wood panelled door leading into;
RECEPTION HALL Original quarry tiled floor. Staircase rising to first floor with hand rail to one side. Central ceiling light point. High level window to front aspect above door. Eye level opening through to kitchen. Steel radiator. Stripped panelled door with brass furniture into sitting/dining room. Further panelled door to:
CLOAKROOM Matching ivory suite comprising pedestal wash hand basin, low level WC with wooden seat. Original quarry tiled floor. Decorative match panelling to two walls. Ceiling light point. Steel radiator.
OPEN PLAN SITTING/DINING ROOM
Sitting Room: Featuring brick arched open fireplace with decorative pine mantel, pine edged brick tiled hearth. Recess to either side of chimney breast, one with arch with low level pine double cupboard and display sill over, the other side with decorative match boarding. Picture window to front aspect with views towards rolling farmland. Lamp sockets with dimmer switch. Steel radiator. Low door to understairs storage cupboard. TV and telephone points. 3A lighting circuit. Wide opening to:
Dining Area: Glazed double doors to rear aspect. Wide alcove screened by curtain. Steel radiator. Stripped pine door with step down to:
INNER LOBBY Quarry tiled floor. Light point. Meter/fuse box. Panelled door to outside with strip window over. Open doorway into:
KITCHEN Ceramic double sink unit with drainer to one side and mixer tap. Free-standing beech high and low cupboards and drawers incorporating low level vegetable baskets and obscure glazed china cabinet. Butcher block solid beech work surfaces with circular peninsular/breakfast bar. Rayburn providing domestic hot water and central heating with double oven and two hobs over. Extractor fan and light concealed within hood. Eye level opening through to reception hall. Recess and plumbing for dishwasher and washing machine. Space for upright fridge/freezer. Quarry tiled floor. Window to side aspect overlooking main garden. Further large window to rear aspect. Half glazed stable door to garden. Twelve directional ceiling spot lights. Decorative match boarding.
FIRST FLOOR
LANDING (‘U’ shaped) Large picture window to rear aspect. High ceiling. Access to loft space via hatch. Turned style pine balustrade overlooking stairwell. Decorative match boarding. Wall light point. Opening in wall providing ‘borrowed light’. High level cupboard housing ‘Megaflo’ pressurised hot water cylinder. Steel radiator. Panelled doors leading into:
PRINCIPAL BEDROOM Window to front aspect with open views towards rolling countryside. Victorian cast iron fireplace. Recess to side of chimney breast with decorative match boarding. TV point. Telephone point. Steel radiator. Three directional wall spot lights with dimmer. 3A lighting circuit.
BEDROOM TWO Window to rear aspect. High ceiling with high level shelving, alcove beneath with hanging rail (concealed behind curtains if required). TV and telephone points. 3A lighting circuit with dimmer. Steel radiator.
BEDROOM THREE Window to front aspect overlooking farmland. Two spot lights. High level shelf. TV and telephone points. 3A lighting circuit with dimmer. Steel radiator.
FAMILY BATHROOM Matching suite comprising panelled double end steel bath with fully tiled surround including tiled alcove at one end beneath decorative arch and nickel curtain rail providing shower area. Pedestal wash hand basin. Low level WC with wooden seat. Decorative panelling. Window to side aspect overlooking the farm. Heated towel rail/radiator. Extractor fan. Three high level wall light points. Strip basin light.
OUTSIDE
There is access from the country lane through an ornate iron gate onto a brick path which leads to the front entrance porch, with garden to either side which is enclosed by post and rail fencing and laid mainly to lawn with well stocked borders containing a variety of spring bulbs, flowers and mature shrubs. A gravelled path leads to the side of the property opening onto the main garden which is also laid mainly to lawn and screened by post and rail fencing and mature hedging. Well stocked shrub border. A further gate leads onto the road. Outside tap. To the rear of the property there is a small yard area with oil tank and two wooden stores. External power points.
SERVICES
Mains water and electricity. Mains drainage. Note: No household services or appliances have been tested and no guarantees can be given by Evans & Partridge.
DISCLAIMER
1. These particulars are set out as a general outline only for the guidance of intending purchasers and do not constitute, nor constitute part of, an offer or contract. All statements contained in these particulars as to this property are made without responsibility on the part of Evans & Partridge or the vendors or lessors.
2. All descriptions, dimensions, references to condition and necessary permissions for use and occupation, and other details are given in good faith and are believed to be correct, but any intending purchasers should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact, but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of them.
3. No person in the employment of Evans & Partridge has any authority to make or give any representation or warranty whatever in relation to this property.