Tunworth, Hampshire

This wonderful Grade II listed farmhouse has a compelling blend of both elegance and character typified by beautifully proportioned principal reception rooms each with large sash windows, and in the case of the bedrooms, vaulted ceilings with striking framing and beams. All the rooms are generously proportioned and therefore purposeful.

The approach to the front door is across a gravel driveway and on entering the house, a reception hall provides a welcoming introduction to the house. The drawing room is particularly elegant and features a substantial fireplace within which there is a wood-burning stove, and a notable mantlepiece surround. There are original wooden shutters to the window and from here, a delightful aspect towards the walled garden. To the right on entering the house, there is a light filled sitting room with views towards the front garden and driveway and to the courtyard at the back of the house. From here there is a middle hall, the laundry and also the voluminous, vaulted dining room and kitchen. The kitchen has been designed in a Plain English style with a good range of cabinetry, has an integrated oven, gas hob, dishwasher and an indoor cooking fireplace. The AGA has been converted to electric. Also on the ground floor, is a versatile guest bedroom and bathroom ideal for a nanny, house keeper or guests and accessible from its own entrance.

The principal staircase rises from the inner hall and once on the landing, there are four characterful double bedrooms with original wooden framing, beams and often vaulted ceilings. There are some extensive wardrobes, in the style of Plain English here too, and a well -equipped family bathroom.

The approach to the house is an appealing one with a sweeping driveway leading to the attractive facade with historic, original red brick, timber framing and panelling under a clay tile roof. To the side of the house is a glorious walled garden with various mature trees, lawn and space to introduce a pool or tennis court (as was once the case). There is also a potting shed and brick-built store. A rear driveway sweeps past the tithe barn and into the inner gardens and grounds which are mainly grass as typified working farms of old. There is an unfenced paddock area with vehicular and livestock access onto the lane and another back gate giving access onto a bridleway. The statuesque trees beautifully frame the gardens and grounds and give a verdant backdrop to life at Manor Farm.

The tithe barn comprising of 8 bays, a pair of threshing barns and a store all help to create an inner sanctum of privacy as well as wonderful space for any number of different uses to suit. There is a granary too, on staddlestones, and brick built stabling, hay barn, tack room and covered vehicle store. In the top paddock, further farm buildings in various states off repair, complete the c10,000 sq ft of outbuildings. The land amounts to about 2.79 acres, in all.

Tunworth is a small rural village positioned between the Hackwood and The Herriard Park Estates lying conveniently a few miles southeast of Basingstoke. The property is within a conservation area next to the church and described as forming ‘a significant group of intrinsic architectural and historic value’.

The surrounding countryside is essentially unchanged predominantly of gently undulating agricultural land and ancient woodland. A network of local lanes provide access to the neighbouring villages of Upton Grey, Greywell and Odiham. The Herriard Park Estate owns much of the surrounding land, which has remained unspoilt over many generations.

Secluded and rural village may be, but remarkably accessible to the modern world and other regional centres. Basingstoke lies a few miles to the northwest with excellent, fast and frequent trains to Waterloo (from 47 minutes), and the nearby M3 connects with London and the south coast. Reading and Newbury are also within range. Hampshire is well catered for with top performing state and independent schools in the area, including Cheam, Wellesley School, Lord Wandsworth College, St Neots, Eagle House, Wellington, Robert May’s, St Nicholas and Winchester College.

There are many footpaths and bridleways in the area which provide a varied network of walks or rides.