Hope Mansell, Ross-on-Wye, Hfds, HR9

Cowles House is a charming Grade II listed period country residence believed to date back to the 1680's. The five bedroom accommodation exudes charm and character. Stunning gardens and grounds extend to approx 1.75 acres with useful stone barns with potential for further development.

Cowles House nestles in one of the prettiest and unspoilt valleys in South Herefordshire. This period Grade II listed gem, having once been the village post office, occupies a slightly elevated position which offers complete privacy and tranquillity with picturesque views over surrounding unspoilt countryside. The two fantastic, well maintained, generously sized barns offer potential for further development if required.

Hope Mansell is mentioned in the Domesday Book where it is referred to as 'Hope' (the old English word for valley) and was held as two manors by Leofric and Edwulf before the Conquest. The Mansell part of the name is first mentioned in The Book of Fees which contains a reference of 1242 - 3 to the vill of Hope Mal Oysel and then Hope Maloisel in 1246. 'Hope Mansell' is listed in the register of parish returns towards the rebuilding of St Pauls Cathedral around 1678. Hope Mansell lies approximately 5 miles South East of Ross-on-Wye amidst rolling South Herefordshire countryside. Ross on Wye offers a good range of shopping, sporting and social facilities with good access to the Midlands and South Wales, the cities of Hereford, Gloucester and Cheltenham are all within easy commuting distance.

The property is entered via:
Ledged and braced solid oak cottage door leading into:

Reception Hall: 16' x 9'2" (4.88m x 2.8m).
The character of the property immediately evident with exposed timber frame and majestic oak beams. Ornate carved full turn staircase with galleried landing. Radiator, power points and exposed stone work. Cottage door to:

Living Room: 16'1" x 12'8" (4.9m x 3.86m).
A beautiful room of enormous character with a wealth of exposed wall and ceiling beams. Majestic stone inglenook fireplace with wood burning stove on a raised stone hearth and dressed stone surround. Leaded secondary double glazed window to front aspect with lovely views over surrounding countryside. Radiator, power points, wall light points.

From reception hall, open arch leads to:
Dining Room: 15'8" x 12' (4.78m x 3.66m).
A lovely size room with twin sealed unit, leaded double glazed windows to rear aspect with additional leaded double glazed window which looks into the snug. Ceiling spotlight rails, radiator. Beautiful oak corner cupboard. Hardwood double doors with bevelled glass insert leads to:

Garden Room: 15' x 11' (4.57m x 3.35m).
A light and relaxing room with hardwood double glazed windows to side and rear with French doors leading out to garden, arched window above. Ceiling lantern window. Double glazed original window looking back into living room. Two radiators. Ceramic tiled flooring. Power points.

From reception hall, door leads into:
Snug: 16' x 8'5" (4.88m x 2.57m).
A cosy room again with a wealth of exposed wall timbers, original ceiling beam, exposed stone work. Leaded secondary double glazed window to front aspect again with lovely views. Wall light points, radiator. Ledged and braced cottage door into:

Kitchen/Dining Room: 19'3" x 19'11" (5.87m x 6.07m).
An exceptional farmhouse style kitchen/dining room with fantastic beamed ceiling. Range of cream painted base units with oak block work surfaces over. Undermounted double ceramic sink with brass mono block mixer. Standalone oil fired AGA with a rustic brick surround and oak mantle over. In built Rangemaster Classic 110 having five ring gas hob with electric warming plate and extractor hood over concealed with oak cabinets to the side. Wine racking. Ceiling spotlights. Ceramic tiled flooring. Radiators. Door into:

Utility Room: 9'9" x 9'8" (2.97m x 2.95m).
Well fitted with a range of base units with complimenting oak block work surfaces over. Undermounted double sink unit with brass mono block mixer. Matching wall cupboards and tall larder cupboards. Ceramic tiled flooring. Ceiling beams. Sealed unit double glazed leaded window to rear aspect. Floor mounted Worcester boiler supplying domestic hot water and central heating. Recess for freezer, space and plumbing for washing machine. Ceiling spotlights. Ledged and braced cottage door into:

Cloakroom:
White low level WC. Vanity unit with overhang wash hand basin and mono block mixer. Part tiled walls. Feature beam. Leaded sealed unit double glazed window to rear aspect. Electric towel radiator.

Study: 9'8" x 8'6" (2.95m x 2.6m).
Ledged and braced cottage door leading in. Lovely side aspect overlooking the garden stretching to surrounding countryside. Additional secondary double glazed leaded window to rear aspect. Ceiling beams, radiator, power points, telephone point.

From Kitchen:
Ledged and braced cottage door leading to side porch with glazed windows and Silestone sills. Double glazed hardwood oak door leading to patio area.

From the reception hall, staircase leads to:
First Floor Landing:
With a wealth of exposed beams, vaulted ceiling, exposed elevation with stone sill and secondary double glazed window with beautiful views to surrounding countryside and Forest of Dean. Ledged and braced cottage door into:

Bedroom 2: 13'9" x 12'9" (4.2m x 3.89m).
Again with feature beams, radiator, power points. Access to roof space. Recess double wardrobe. Wall beams. Ledge and braced cottage door to:
En-Suite Shower Room:
White suite comprising low level WC. Vanity unit with overhang wash hand basin and mono block mixer. Part tiled surround. Recessed shower cubicle with mains shower. Exposed wall timbers. Sealed unit leaded double glazed window to rear aspect. Heated towel radiator, wall light.

From the landing, archway leads through to:
Further landing:
With velux window and door into:

Bedroom 3: 12' x 10'8" (3.66m x 3.25m).
Sealed unit double glazed window to rear aspect. Radiator, power points. Cottage door into:

Bath/Shower Room: 7'5" x 4'7" (2.26m x 1.4m).
Well fitted with white suite comprising low level WC. Vanity unit with overhang wash hand basin and mono block mixer. Short bath with shower screen and Triton electric shower. Fully tiled surround. Extensive tiled walls. Towel radiator. Sealed unit leaded double glazed window to rear aspect and plenty natural light via velux roof light. Vanity light with shaver point.

Bedroom 5: 16' x 8'9" (4.88m x 2.67m).
Again a good size double room with a wealth of exposed wall timbers. Leaded secondary double glazed window to front aspect again with fantastic views to surrounding countryside. Radiator, power points. Access to roof space. Connecting door to:

Secondary landing area:
With independent staircase feeding from the kitchen/dining room. A good size landing with exposed beam, access to roof space. Wall lighting. From this landing access can be gained to an additional two bedrooms.

Bedroom 1: 18'2" x 10'3" (5.54m x 3.12m).
Ledged and braced cottage door. An exceptionally good sized double room with recessed double wardrobe. Plenty of natural light with secondary double glazed leaded windows to front and side aspects with spectacular rural views. Radiators, power points, wall light points. Ledged and braced cottage door into:
Large En-Suite Shower/Bathroom: 9'1" x 9'1" (2.77m x 2.77m).
No shortage of space in this well fitted en-suite having enamel panelled bath with mixer tap. Low level WC. Period style wash hand basin. Corner, glazed and tiled shower cubicle with Triton electric shower and smoked glass. Shaver point. Secondary double glazed leaded window with lovely views over the countryside. Extensively tiled walls. Chromium heated towel radiator. Corner shelved cabinet.

Bedroom 4: 12'4" x 9'8" (3.76m x 2.95m).
A double room with secondary double glazed leaded window and fine views to surrounding countryside. Radiator, power points. Corner storage cupboard. Ledge and braced door to:
En-Suite Bath/Shower Room: 9'7" x 7'4" (2.92m x 2.24m).
Beautifully fitted with classical white suite comprising modern panelled bath with fully tiled surround. Fitted electric shower with glazed shower screen. Low level WC. Pedestal wash hand basin, chromium heated towel radiator. Built in corner, full height shelved storage cupboard. Shaver point. Airing cupboard housing insulated hot water tank and immersion heater, shelving. Leaded secondary double glazed window to rear aspect.

Outside:
Five bar gated entrance leads into large parking and turning area with access to open fronted stone double garage 23' x 19'9" (7m x 6.02m).

Pathway leads to:
Outbuildings:
Main Barn: 43'6" x 15'6" (13.26m x 4.72m).
Carriage doors in from the courtyard or roadside. Again, in extremely good order with a good roof retaining some of the original timbers in the mezzanine storage area. Plenty of power points, lancet windows to both side and additional natural light from eye level window to side.

Stone Built Herefordshire Barn: 22'6" x 15'4" (6.86m x 4.67m).
A good solid barn with natural light. Power points, lighting. In good condition with a good felted roof, still retaining many of the original timbers. Ripe for further development.

The property benefits from an elevated position and is surrounded beautiful mature gardens which extend to 1.75 acres, with both herbaceous borders and lawns, together with a woodland area, orchard and vegetable garden. The small lake is bursting with life during the growing season. There is a back door with porch leading from the kitchen to a large sheltered patio area taking advantage of the fabulous location.

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Directions:
From Ross-on-Wye Wye proceed out on the A40 towards Gloucester passing through the village of Weston Under Penyard. On reaching Ryeford take the first right signposted Pontshill. Continue along this road for approximately 0.9 miles taking the second left opposite Parkfields. Proceed for 1.75 miles through a number of farms and the Church and village hall on the left hand side. Continue up the hill and Cowles House will be found on the right hand side just over the brow of the hill.