Church Street, Micheldever

THE PROPERTY A wonderfully modernised, characterful Grade II Listed village house in the charming, highly sought-after village of Micheldever.

The Old Post Office is a substantial family home with history dating from the late Tudor times in 16th century across into the late 1700s. It was created from three village houses, and packed with original features, such as carved beams and Inglenook fireplaces, yet remains a practical home for comfortable modern family living, with flexible accommodation spaces both upstairs and downstairs.

Parts of the property are believed to be among the oldest in the village and given the height of the ceilings at the front of the house, may have been an old Hall and is likely constructed over an even older structure. Various Saxon finds and structures have been found by archaeologists in the immediate area.

The main entrance is found to the side of the main house, via a short path, and opens onto the principal reception hall with fireplace containing a wood-burning stove and original clay paved flooring. Most of the main reception rooms can be reached from here. To the right is a snug family room which in turn opens on the kitchen.

The spacious kitchen/breakfast room is clearly the hub of the home and is flooded with light courtesy of large walls of windows overlooking the garden. It benefits from a wealth of cream coloured shaker style cabinetry, with space and plumbing for a dishwasher, and features an oil-fired Aga with two ovens and two hot plates. From here, the gardens may be accessed via French windows or separate doorway under a pretty porch. A separate utility room provides useful space for both laundry and further storage.

Further reception rooms include the formal drawing room with exposed beams and a wonderful inglenook fireplace featuring an original bread oven; a sitting room with woodburning stove, study and music room.

Upstairs there are four double bedrooms, two of which benefit from ensuite shower room. There is an additional contemporary family bathroom downstairs with a freestanding roll top bath and separate walk in shower. Unusually for many thatched cottages the Old Post Office has good head heights upstairs, and all rooms can be accessed without the need to pass through an adjoining bedroom.

In addition, the current owners have added a useful contemporary garden office, with power, light and electric heating.

GARDENS: Set in almost a 0.25 acre plot, the Old Post Office has a traditional village cottage garden with a sizeable lawn, perfect for play and entertainment, mature fruit and specimen trees and flower beds, many of which host delightful displays of roses and other flowering shrubs and plants in season. There is a contemporary garden office, a sunny terrace as well as raised vegetable beds, useful for those keen to grow their own. While set in the middle of a popular and busy village the gardens at the Old Post Office remain a secluded and charming retreat.

PARKING: A single garage, separate from the property is accessible via a footpath from the rear garden, and provides a covered parking space if required. Additionally, there is unrestricted on street parking is available on Church Street to the front of the property.

THE PROPERTY:

Construction: We believe the property to be of traditional construction methods from 16th century, 17th Century and 20th Century, with a mixture of thatch, clay tile and contemporary flat roofing. Walls are timber-frame with colour washed brick and some plaster infill.

SERVICES: Oil-fired central heating; private drainage; mains water and electricity
EPC Band E (please note the Old Post Office is a Grade II Listed building and a number of the 'improvements' recommended in the standard EPC are either not suitable, nor feasible due to its age and Listed status.
Local Authority - Winchester City Council, Council Tax Band F

LOCATION: Micheldever village believed to be of early mediaeval origins with a range of quaint and attractive streets lined with traditional village houses, both large and small. An interesting historical note is that the first private car journey in the UK, in 1895, is believed to have originated in this area. The village is an active and social community and enjoys a Village Shop, Public House, Village Hall, Church and other facilities. The Old Post Office is located within the Micheldever Conservation Area.

Part of the popularity of Micheldever village is its proximity to Micheldever Station, which provides a regular train service to London Waterloo. Further rail links are available at Winchester City station, Basingstoke and Alton. Road connections are excellent with easy access to the M3, M27, A34, A33 and A303.

SCHOOLING: Local catchment schools are Micheldever C of E Primary School, Henry Beaufort School, and the highly regarded Peter Symonds Sixth Form College. Nearby independent schools include Winchester College, St Swithuns, King Edward VI, and preparatory schools such as The Pilgrims School, Twyford School and Princes Mead.