Stone manor house in secluded location

Jun 20 2006

By Marsya Lennox, Birmingham Post

A guide price of £2 million is being quoted for Latimers at Weston-Subedge, near Chipping Campden, a Grade ll listed stone manor house in just under two acres. It has been a village focal point for many years and regular venue for annual parish fetes. The village stands at the foot of Dover's Hill, on the northern edge of the Cotswolds, the part of the region most frequently in the sights of Midland refugees, just two miles from the famous old wool town of Chipping Campden and only ten miles south of Stratford-upon-Avon. Potential home-buyers who browse the shelves at John Shepherd's Stratford-upon-Avon offices may find themselves lured southwards by the sight of Latimers, recently brought to the market and the attention of Midlanders. The house has a secluded location in walled gardens with tennis court and woodland and presents a traditional picture with classic stone-built elevations. There is a private gated driveway and an impressive house with good space for a family, six bedrooms and lots of period character, all interiors well presented and with m odern comforts now introduced. There is also an adjoining barn, which would make a good leisure complex, suggest the agents. It currently provides a games room and studio with bathroom but could translate as an indoor pool, if a new owner needed more. There is a proper reception hall of more than 18ft by 12ft and a series of reception rooms: sitting room, study, drawing room and dining room. The kitchen is particularly good at more than 23ft by 15ft with a generous utility beyond. The first floor contains five of the six bedrooms including the principal suite with its dressing room and bathroom. Another two of the bedrooms are suites and there is a house bathroom serving the others. The second floor fits in just one more, a decent 22ft by 12ft plus. Outside are outbuildings: the garage, workshop, store room, the games room too, all with further potential. In the grounds are lawns, ornamental hedging, terraces and gravel pathways. Details from John Shepherd, telephone 01789 292659. Also Grade ll listed is Home Farm at Over Norton, near Chipping Norton, in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, a former dairy farm under conversion as six dwellings. The selling agents say that it will be a "model" conversion, creating a series of new homes that hold on to their architectural identity. The work is being done by Jervis Homes with Nightingale Square Properties. Jervis Homes can claim some fame in the conversion business, having been cited by English Heritage as a company capable of good work in a marketplace awash with poor examples. The company's founder, Henry Jervis, has made the Who's Who of Britain's Young Entrepreneurs 2006 and believes in combining the best of traditional skill with modern methods. "I firmly believe former agricultural buildings should be put to good use," he said. "However, their unusual period features should be retained and enhanced wherever possible. Successful conversions should still reflect a glimpse of our rural past, while providing good homes of character." The development has lovely views over unspoilt countryside and its old buildings have been hardly touched in 50 years. Gloucestershire architect Peter Yiangou, a specialist in the field, has created the home designs. The original farmhouse will make one substantial home and the other buildings, including granaries and cowsheds will make more, new neighbours. Details are to include flagged floors in kitchens, oak flooring and inglenook fireplaces plus everything one might expect in the kitchens including granite tops and modern appliances. The conversions will all have advanced wiring provision and one of the five bedroom properties has the potential for stables and tack room. Home Farm is only about a mile from the busy market town of Chipping Norton, within 20 miles of both Banbury and Oxford. There are mainline trains from Charlbury Station, seven miles away. The Home Farm properties range in price from £395,000 to £875,000. Details from the Stow-onthe-Wold office of Butler Sherborn, telephone 01451 830731. Annie's Cottage, at Buckland, near Broadway in the Worcestershire Cotswolds was quickly under offer this month after a very short airing on the market with the Broadway office of Hayman-Joyce. It is typical of the stone-built cottages that have enduring appeal for downsizers and as investments in this much-watched marketplace sector. The location down a no-through lane was a major selling point, also the stone construction of interiors of character. The two bedroom property has two reception rooms and a neat breakfast kitchen plus pretty back garden with fruit trees and lawn. The guide price was £399,000. Also in an approachable price band for Cotswold buyers is Foxglove Cottage, at Laverton Meadow,near Broadway, a three-bedroom property converted some time ago from a barn complex. Offers over £315,000 are invited for the semi-detached cottage which has some good features including stone floors, fireplace, exposed beams and an attractive kitchen. A major selling point is the location with long open views. Also attractive is the location, only four miles from Broadway and 13 miles Cheltenham. Details from Hayman-Joyce, telephone 01386 858510.