Porch House
Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Porch House
40-42 Long Street, Tetbury, Gloucestershire Malmesbury 5 miles • Kemble 7 miles • Nailsworth 7 miles • Cirencester 11 miles • Stroud 11 miles • Swindon 22 miles Bath 26 miles • Cheltenham 28 miles • Bristol 28 miles (Distances approximate)
A unique opportunity to acquire one of Tetbury’s finest homes; offering a beautifully restored two storey family home with ground floor retail in a prominent location Ground Floor Retail Entrance hall • study • 5 display rooms including 3 fronting on to Long Street cloakroom • stairs down to cellar Main House Open plan kitchen/drawing room • rear lobby • utility room • cloakroom • library • master suite • guest suite 4 further bedrooms • shower room Outside Walled garden • 2 workshops • open store garage with adjacent parking space in nearby central location available by separate negotiation
Savills Cirencester 1 Castle Street, Market Place Cirencester GL7 1QD
[email protected] 01285 627 550 www.savills.co.uk
SITUATION
Tetbury is a popular and lively traditional Cotswold market town, well known for its 17th and 18th Century architecture. Historically, the town was known for its antique shops but today boutique and specialist shops, together with cafes, restaurants and bistros have come to the fore. As a result there is a bustling feel to the town with well known shops now including the Highgrove shop, Quayles Delicatessen and the award winning Hobbs bakery. For more general shopping there is a Tesco superstore on the edge of the town and, twice a week, there is an open market under The Market House. The town, once voted the third best town in which to live by Country Life Magazine, also supports a splendid Parish Church which has been described as having one of the best Georgian gothic designs; it has the fourth highest church spire in England. Nearby is the world famous Westonbirt Arboretum which covers 600 acres and boasts one of the most varied specimen collections in Europe as well as some 17 miles of trails. Other recreational opportunities include golf at Westonbirt and Minchinhampton, water sports at the Cotswold Water Park, polo at the Beaufort Polo Club, motor racing at the Castle Combe circuit and there is a spa at nearby Calcot Manor. Tetbury is well placed for the commuter with Kemble train station (direct regular access to London Paddington in 85 minutes) nearby and the M4 also within easy reach. Larger commercial centres include Bath, Bristol and Cheltenham, all of which provide excellent shops and theatres. There are many highly regarded local primary and secondary schools in nearby Oaksey, Crudwell, Kemble, Malmesbury and Cirencester as well as a wide choice of well known private schools within easy reach including Beaudesert Park, Cheltenham Ladies, Prior Park, Westonbirt, Rendcomb, Hatherop Castle and Marlborough College.
DESCRIPTION Believed to be the oldest house in Tetbury, in parts dating back to the 15th century, Porch House is a fine Grade I listed Elizabethan town house that has been extensively renovated by the present owner. Boasting an abundance of period features, the restoration has been sympathetically designed and completed to a remarkably high standard, whilst preserving the history of the house. The property has a great presence within this sophisticated and sought after market town, instantly recognised by its original green exterior railings and facing on to Long Street. The year 1677 is clearly marked on the front of the Cotswold stone porch, signifying the date of this addition. The main entrance hall benefits from original flagstones and has doors off to both sides of the ground floor as well as double doors opening on to the rear walled garden. In its current form the ground floor is used completely for retail purposes (Alderson Antiques), although this could easily be divided in to two separate units if
required. To the right of the entrance hall are two well proportioned display rooms, both with original floorboards, fireplaces and large windows to the front. There is also a cloakroom with WC, basin and door leading to the garden plus stone steps down to the early 15th century cellar, providing additional storage. Also at this level are a study and two further display rooms in connection with the current business. The large rear room is thought to have formed part of the old school house and both have large sash windows permitting plenty of natural light and a pretty outlook to the garden. There are two staircases internally rising to the first floor, whilst at the back of the property (accessed from the garden) is a door through to the utility room, cloakroom and stairs up to the kitchen/drawing room. At first floor level is a splendid open plan kitchen/drawing room, arguably the best feature of the entire house. The combination of solid wood floorboards laid throughout, traditional style painted panelling, focal open fireplace with marble hearth and gothic surround, large sash windows and magnificent high ceiling with exposed beams create a real ‘wow factor.’ This room is very functional, with an extensive range of country style hand painted wall and base units, beech worktops, stainless steel splash back and integrated appliances including dishwasher and gas Rangemaster. There is ample room for a good sized dining table and being open plan to the drawing room makes this a great entertaining and family friendly space. Adjacent to the kitchen is the library; however this could be used as an additional reception room, for example a snug/family room. The landing has doors off to the shower room and one of the bedrooms. This is a particularly attractive room with many period features, including the triple aspect alcove set above the porch, giving wonderful views along bustling Long Street. There is a door from this bedroom in to what could be two further bedrooms or alternatively used as further retail space in conjunction with the two rooms below them. The original Elizabethan hallway connects numbers 40/42 together and has a lovely set of stained glass windows. At one end of the hallway are stairs up to the guest bedroom which has a dressing room, en suite bathroom and steps up to a large loft hatch. At the other end is the impressive dual aspect master bedroom (also at second floor level), which includes a superb en suite with built in wardrobes, ‘his and hers’ wash hand basins, WC and double shower plus large Velux window giving a pleasant view over neighbouring town houses. The property is particularly special in that it offers a fantastic private walled garden, which is very rare in this location. York stone paving slabs have been laid for low maintenance and are beautifully maintained, edged with wild flower and shrub borders. Immediate access to the kitchen gives a perfect setting for alfresco dining and is often a lovely sun trap. There are a selection of outbuildings including two workshops and open store.
SERVICES
Mains gas, electric, water and drainage.
FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
Only those mentioned in these sales particulars are included in the sale. All others such as curtains, light fittings, garden ornaments etc are specifically excluded but may be available by separate negotiation
Postcode (GL8 8AQ) Directions
From Cirencester, take the A433 to Tetbury. On reaching the outskirts of the town proceed past Hampton Street on your right hand side and follow the road round to the left, which will take you on to Long Street. Porch House (number 40-42) currently Alderson Antiques, is in a prominent position on the right hand side, clearly marked by green railings.
VIEWING
Strictly by appointment with Savills.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Savills, their clients and any joint agents give notice that: 1. They are not authorised to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property either here or elsewhere, either on their own behalf or on behalf of their client or otherwise. They assume no responsibility for any statement that may be made in these particulars. These particulars do not form part of any offer or contract and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact. 2. Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate. The text, photographs and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents and Savills have not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise. Details and Photographs taken 15/06/01 LV. Kingfisher Print and Design 01803 867087
Porch house Gross Internal Floor Area Approx: 4768 sq ft / 533 sq m Out Building Approx: 366 sq ft / 34 sq m For identification only. Not to scale.
Out Building
Second Floor
Cellar
Ground Floor
First Floor