Delights of the oldrectory

Aug 18 2006

By Marsya Lennox, Property Correspondent

Rare colonies of bat have long enjoyed an unspoilt and undisturbed habitat at The Old Rectory, Hasfield in Gloucestershire. Experts come along from time to time to marvel at the fascinating specimens. And both winged and two legged occupants co-exist famously, taking little notice of their neighbours. Some things are too good to change - and all the better for it. The Old Rectory was built in 1837 for the Rev. James Sevier, thought to have been designed by a university friend, the architect W. McIntosh Brookes. There was an earlier house, dated around 1790, and a rectory here for even longer, since at least 1647. The Rev. Sevier apparently felt comfortable with his calling - and his fine house - serving as Rector of Hasfield for a worthy 61 years, from 1828 to 1889. And it seems likely that he would still feel right at home today, in an unspoilt delight of a house. Alexandra Nater of Christopher Lyons in association with Savills describes this quiet pocket of the county as a "time warp". The house has a wonderful position in unspoilt open countryside, officially an area of outstanding natural beauty and with clear views over the Severn Valley to the Cotswolds. The lack of progress may be due, in part, to the long ownership by the Hasfield Estate of the surrounding acres. The right of way to the 14th century Church of St Mary is still over the Old Rectory's drive. The general peace and satisfaction with things as they are, and were, may be catching. The current owners of The Old Rectory have defied convention to live comfortably, in some style, without unnecessary modern intrusions - such as central heating. "They did not want radiators though they thought about under-floor heating," said Alexandra Nater. Digging up floors would have been too disruptive - and ugly metal fixtures were out of the question, so the current owners manage happily without. "There are two huge wood-burning stoves and they work wonderfully. Nothing has been changed and the whole place appears untouched." This very special property, however, displayed some ingenious, and advanced features for its era, still in situ - and still useful. An ash collection system was designed for the various open fireplaces allowing debris to be tipped out, downwards, to be collected in iron baskets some 10ft below in the basement. A sort of prototype for today's costly central vacuuming systems, it must have saved a lot of dust in the living rooms, leaving that to the scullery maid below. Also, the stables were designed cleverly at just above ground level, allowing a decent gap for the collecting of the muck, which could be pushed out through a convenient hatch at one end. They may be trifles to the average, modern buyer who sees rather more in The Old Rectory, newly available with a guide price of £1.5 million to include a huge range of outbuildings, separate flat and 2.3 acres. But this unusually good house, imaginatively and tastefully presented throughout, is a testament to the art of leaving well alone and creating a fine home with a very light touch. There are some special details including the original kitchen range, still there - and beautifully polished, though now retired thanks to the big, black Aga. Off the hall is the original coat-room with hooks - and open fireplace, to air out the cloaks in bad weather. There are big, tudor-style archways to the main staircase hall which is lit by a large central lantern. The library has carved, original bookshelves, one section forming a doorway to the adjoining drawing room. The dining room has a vaulted ceiling in Gothic style and a curving bay plus one of those useful wood-burning stoves in the original fireplace. There is a secondary staircase which also links to the cellars, a vast area with huge potential - for anyone who can think of something more useful. There are original linen cupboards off the galleried landing. The main bedroom has its own bathroom and there are four more first floor bedrooms plus house bathroom. In the older part of the house is a two bedroom annexe with book room, living room, kitchen and bathroom, all easily made part of the main house. The former coach house is now used as workshops and offices with further storage buildings beyond. The grounds include a lime avenue, clipped yew hedges, lawns and a ha-ha, specimen parkland trees including copper beech and turkey oak. Other focal points include a former tennis lawn and stone cider press. Details from 01531 636321.