£700,000 2 bedroom cottage for sale Minstead, Hampshire.

Tenure: Freehold

Minstead is of course, one of the foremost villages in the Forest and offers easy access to London and is just a short distance from the motorway. A rare opportunity therefore to acquire a property steeped in local history and in a stunning location. Unusually for a thatched cottage of this age, the rooms are spacious and practical with lots of storage space.

In the early 1700’s there were a number of tiny cottages built of mud reinforced with cow and horse hair which were put up in one night. If a man put up a cottage between sunset and sunrise and if he lit a fire in the hearth and the smoke went up the chimney, it was a recognised custom that he might remain in possession of the property although it was built on Manorial or Common ground. This sometimes happened when a young man decided to get married and set up home. His friends would gather at twilight and work all night to construct the cottage. It was one of the conditions that it should be complete with the chimney smoking before sunrise and if there was time and labour enough, a turf wall would be raised to enclose a garden.

We believe that the cottage was one such property, although it has of course been considerably extended and improved over the years.


ACCOMMODATION IN DETAIL (All measurements are approximate)

Thatched rustic entrance porch with brick paved floor. Arched thatched roof and side seats.
Front door to:

STUDY 11’ X 103”
Narrow strip oak flooring. Rubbed brick inglenook fireplace with seating for two persons, with raised brick hearth with open fire and tiled mantel. Cupboards to the alcoves on either side of the fireplace providing useful storage space and original exposed beams over. The study overlooks the garden to the front of the property. Good size understair storage cupboard. The narrow strip oak flooring extends into:


SITTING ROOM 22’10” x 10’
This is a delightful room overlooking the garden to the side and front of the property with brick open fireplace with raised brick hearth and mantel. Two radiators. Wall light points. Power points.

DINING ROOM 15’7” x 8’
A split level room, also with matching narrow strip oak flooring and with a bow window overlooking the garden to the side. Radiator. Power points. Built in airing cupboard with integral lagged hot water cylinder with immersion heater.

KITCHEN / BREAKFAST ROOM 21’ x 6’
Range of units with tulip wood working surfaces, incorporating butler sink with mixer tap and cupboards under. Integrated dishwasher. Integrated fridge freezer and washing machine. Slot in Bosch electric combined oven/microwave with four ring Bosch halogen hob over. Thermostatically controlled radiator. Power points. Range of eye level cupboards, two with glass doors and glazed shelving, central alcove with china display. Terracotta tiled floor. Stable type door to garden at rear. Leaded light window to side. Programmer control for central heating.


BEDROOM ONE ~ SUITE 15’8” x 14’2” into bay
A delightful double bedroom with a bay window overlooking the garden with built in window seat with storage under. Range of built in wardrobe cupboards comprising two Smallbone type double cupboards with hang rail ~ these extend to ceiling height with central shelved storage with double drawers under. There is a second window seat also providing useful additional storage space. Inset ceiling lighting. Fitted kneehole dressing table with mirror and light over. BT telephone extension point. Built in fitted bedside cabinets.

BATHROOM
With deep panelled bath with fitted shower mixer. Separate full height shower cubicle with thermostatically controlled shower, glass door~ this is tiled to ceiling height. Wash hand
basin in vanity unit with range of built cabinets behind with bevelled glass mirrors. Electric
shaver point. Inset ceiling lighting. Low levelWC with concealed cistern. Ceramic tiled floor.
Radiator.

FIRST FLOOR

BEDROOM TWO 11’9” x 10’6”
This room overlooks the front garden. Double radiator. Power points. Cupboard access to undereave storage space with fitted shelves. BT telephone extension point. Range of pine built in wardrobe cupboards with sliding doors, hang rail and fitted shelf.

SECOND BATHROOM
Panelled bath. Low level WC. Wash hand basin. Fitted shower mixer to bath with electric flow heated shower, shower screen. Thermostatically controlled radiator.

OUTSIDE
The cottage is set in a most delightful garden. To the immediate rear of the property is a tiled seating area. A paved path then provides access to the rest of the garden via a rustic rose arch, well established borders. The whole garden is quite mature and extremely private, laid to lawn with a wealth of ornamental shrubs, rhododendrons etc. and screened by evergreen hedging. Part of the garden is devoted to a well established fruit orchard, with apple trees, crab apple tree, fig tree etc. In one corner of the garden is a well established hardwood summerhouse, built specifically for the property, provided with light and power with double doors leading into the garden. Concealed in one corner is an aluminium greenhouse which will remain. Timber garden shed. Brick built housing for oil tank. Boiler room with oil fired central heating supplying domestic hot water and central heating.


GARAGE
Double garage with pitch roof, up and over door, electric light and power. There is storage space in the roof void.


NOTE
Nothing in these particulars is intended to indicate that any carpets or curtains, furnishings or fitting, electrical goods (whether wired or not), gas fires or light fitments, or any other fixtures not expressly included form part of the property for sale. No tests have been made on services, fitments or equipment and no warranties are given or implied as to their condition.

VIEWING STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT WITH BISHOP PYKE

To assist with your property purchase, Bishop Pyke recommends Mortgage 4 You Ltd, Ashley Mews, 36 Ashley Road, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 6BB Tel: 01425 627603 Web: m4y.co.uk We can also introduce you to solicitors and surveyors.