Ladyswood, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16

Magnificent country house with spectacular gardens and grounds, stylish bohemian interiors and impressive equestrian facilities.

Description

Ladyswood House has been significantly restored and refurbished by the present owners, and is now a sophisticated and eclectic family home, with the resources to entertain on a grand scale. Originally built in 1905, on the cusp of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, Ladyswood is a striking example of the architecture of that time but is not listed. Constructed of Cotswold stone, warm red brick and lime render, beneath a clay tile roof, with leaded light windows, set within stone mullioned frames. Intricately decorative brickwork features below the roof line and decorates the tall chimneys.
During their 25 year tenure, Ladyswood House has been extended and maintained throughout by the present owners. However, in 2018 they embarked on an extensive programme to update and improve. The house has been completely rewired and replumbed. A new kitchen and bathrooms have been installed throughout, with extensive additions, whilst carefully maintaining original architectural character and features. The original pebbledash at first floor level has been replaced, unusually, with dark lime render which, with its softened hues, stunningly compliments the mellow red brick.
On entering the house, a wall of Belgium glass doors and panels look out over the delightful, enclosed courtyard, with its French style stone fountain at its centre. From here, the large inner hall provides full height storage, hidden behind full height panelled walls, and a fireplace, with cloakroom, large boot room and study directly off.
The striking kitchen/breakfast/garden room forms the hub of the house, spanning its depth, with views stretching out over the stunning gardens to the front and rear. Three sets of Belgium doors open to a stone terrace and outdoor kitchen terrace to one side. Two further sets of doors open from the garden room end to the front garden, and enchanting gazebo. Designed by Ben Argent Kitchens, dark contemporary cabinetry sits below veined composite worktops. Three sinks are formed from the same. A large island has an oak breakfast bar to one long side and a champagne sink in the centre. A huge roof lantern with rain sensitive windows floods the breakfast area of this room with natural light. The contemporary gas fireplace adds atmosphere for chillier days. Steps rise to the garden room end, where a wood burning stove nestles within a stone fireplace. Directly off is the snug or playroom. The old hallway, with its striking staircase, and two quarter turns, rises to the first floor, with a three-sided galleried landing. This original main entrance to the house opens to the garden room and drawing room directly, with a cloakroom off. Wood panelling to the walls of the drawing room, a window seat and fireplace with leather topped fender, make this an atmospheric room with doors opening to the garden. The dining room, just beyond, is wonderfully flamboyant and theatrical with vibrant walls, ornate stone fireplace and window seats to the large bay window.
Again, a door opens to the gardens. A corridor connects the drawing room and dining room directly with the kitchen. Off here is the media room, with its 85” plasma screen and surround sound, and a bespoke drinks cupboard. Accessed from the courtyard entrance hall is a large utility room, drying room, dog room with shower, and a further cloakroom. A door from the courtyard opens to a sunbed room and plant room with a spiral staircase rising to the large gym above. The four roomed cellar is accessible from just off the inner hall and has a second staircase to outside. From the galleried landing on the first floor, the dual aspect principal bedroom suite faces south and east. The bedroom is a beautiful and tranquil room with lovely views to the garden. The bathroom has a freestanding, central rolltop bath with ball and claw feet, a separate shower and double vanity unit. The large dressing room has fitted wardrobes to three walls. All three rooms have fireplaces. Also on the first floor is a delightful guest bedroom with en suite shower room, four further bedrooms and two family bathrooms, one with separate bath and shower. On the second floor there is a flat with three further bedrooms, one with an en suite shower room, a family bathroom and a kitchen/breakfast/living room. Accessed from the kitchen, and via a second staircase to the galleried landing, are five further attic rooms (three boarded) and a bathroom.

THE LODGE
The Lodge is situated at the boundary of the estate with its own vehicle access. Ideal as staff accommodation or for elderly relatives, the Lodge has a kitchen/breakfast room, sitting room, three bedrooms, family bathroom, all one level. Pretty gardens wrap around it.

OUTSIDE
The sweeping driveway meanders through delightful parkland and mature broadleaf trees, with paths mown through the tall grass. Beautifully crafted iron gates open to an enclosed courtyard, with mature pleached hornbeam above immaculate dry-stone walls, make for a pleasing entrance to this striking house. The present owners commissioned exceptional, award winning garden designers, Julian and Isabel Bannerman to reinvent the gardens. Inspired by the designs they had seen, they asked them to create vistas, formal and informal gardens, wildflower meadows, outside rooms and entertaining spaces, all highlighting natural materials. The seemingly effortless result is one that appears to have existed for decades. Soft and structural, the result is stunning. Two gateways, sitting below crafted, Balinese style, green oak pinnacles and balusters, lead to the front garden. From the house, views look out through a green oak columned pergola, festooned with wisteria, to lawns beyond, bordered by topiaried yews. Established beds sit either side with wildflower meadows beyond. A delightful stone gazebo, again with silvered green oak columns, has a welcoming wood burning stone within. Beyond is the swimming pool and pool house with a cloakroom and bifold doors that open to the pool. Lawns and stone terracing sweep round to the rear of the house where an outside kitchen area has been created, beneath a huge oak structured pergola. At the far end is a bespoke spit roast, ideal for entertaining on a large scale. Flower beds lead down to the walled garden with its parterre, planted with all manner of herbs and a vine covered pergola. A large fully irrigated, kitchen garden is enclosed with mature beech hedging. Running centrally through, is a stunning espaliered apple walkway with raised beds either side, and a polytunnel. The pretty orchard with wild planting beneath has a mown path through. The tennis court, also enclosed with hedging, and a large useful work yard are situated just behind. Both the stable yards and the paddocks are situated to the side of the gardens and house and accessed via a separate drive, with plenty of hard standing and easy vehicular access. All paddocks are enclosed with post and rail fencing, with electric fencing to the top. All have a water supply.

Square Footage: 13,648 sq ft


Acreage: 61 Acres