Henn Lane, Upper Seagry, Wiltshire

Designed by Bristol-based practice Batterham Smith Architects, this three-bedroom, timber-framed house is nestled in Upper Seagry, a village embedded in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, close to the Cotswolds National Landscape. The living space has been cleverly apportioned to retain the impressive double-height volume across the upper storey and well-orientated to optimise the views across the open countryside. The house unfolds over 1,973 sq ft across two levels, with a south-easterly terrace and private off-street parking. Despite its rural location, Bristol and Bath can be reached in around 30 minutes. London is easily accessible via Chippenham (six miles away), with direct services to London Paddington in about 75 minutes.



The Architect



Batterham Smith Architects is a design-led architectural practice based in Bath, Somerset. Founded by architects George Batterham and Ben Smith, the studio has a strong focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, using passive solar design, natural materials and low-impact technologies to create high-quality, contemporary buildings.



The Tour



A generous provision of off-street parking, shared with the immediate neighbour, sets the house back from the quiet country lane in front. The primary entrance is positioned on the westerly façade, leading through to a beautifully light ground-level entrance hall.



An inverted layout maximises the excellent views; the sleeping areas are quietly tucked on the lower storey, while the upper floor houses the living spaces. A winding staircase from the entrance hall leads to a wonderfully bright and double-height living space, where exposed timber beams crosshatch the vaulted ceiling. Designed in a predominantly open plan, the scale of the interior has been divided with thoughtful ingenuity, with a series of partition walls sensitively demarcating the kitchen, living and dining areas without compromising scale, volume or capability for flexible reconfiguration.



An excellent quality of natural light floods through a trifold timber-framed glazed door, which opens the space onto the decked terrace and frames views of the neighbouring equestrian fields and open countryside.



A bespoke kitchen lies on the westerly side. Designed to be practical, it is well organised with a substantial amount of cooking and food preparation space. Appliances are set into bespoke lines of cabinetry, built with high-quality materials and craftsmanship. Ribbons of clerestory windows line one side with equally fantastic views of open fields.



The living area is loosely arranged around a large log burner on an upper split-level of the room. There is also a bright study with corner glazing that captures a vista of the surrounding countryside.



The main bedroom suite is tucked into a quiet corner of the lower level. It is a beautifully executed space where solid oak pillars and beams add a sense of craft and natural materiality. Handmade built-in wardrobes provide plentiful storage. A lower plant-strewn courtyard is accessible via timber-framed glass doors, which invite good natural light to the lower level and frame a leafy view from the bed.



Two further double bedrooms are also positioned on this level, equally well-considered and well-proportioned sleeping spaces, where a natural material palette and calming colour scheme prevail. A family bathroom with a shower and bathtub completes this level.



Outdoor Space



The decked terrace provides a fluid transition between inside and outside space, with a timber canopy providing shelter and shade and plenty of room for growing potted plants, herbs and vegetables. The inner lower courtyard, accessible exclusively from the main bedroom, has a Mediterranean air about it.



A side passageway on the ground floor also provides useful space for external storage.



The Area



The house is positioned in the west of Upper Seagry, between Chippenham and Malmesbury in Wiltshire. As a result, it is perfectly positioned for easy access to the surrounding Wiltshire and Somerset countryside, as well as the Cotswolds National Landscape.



Upper Seagry has a primary school, a modern village hall and a popular local pub, The New Inn, a five-minute walk away from the house. There are several local places for food and drink, including The Wellesley Arms and La Flambé in Sutton Benger. For daily amenities, the independent shops and supermarkets in Malmesbury, including Waitrose, are a 15-minute drive away.



Highly regarded local restaurants and pubs include Sign of the Angel in Lacock, The Brasserie at Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa and The Methuen Arms in Corsham. Farms shops are dotted around the area, as are independent provisors in the surrounding villages.



Chippenham can also be easily reached in just over 10 minutes. Located on the banks of the River Avon, the historic market town has several parks and a selection of cafés and restaurants, notably The Garden, Gather Café and Coq Restaurant.



The surrounding area is known for its open fields and rolling countryside, offering an array of walking and cycling routes that are easily accessible from the home. Dyrham Park and the National Arboretum at Westonbirt are within easy reach. The Peto Gardens at Iford Manor, The Tithe Barn, and the Saxon Church at Bradford-on-Avon are also nearby. Bath is a 30-minute journey by car, while the Cotswold hotspots of Tetbury and Castle Combe are also nearby.



There are some excellent schools in the area, including Malmesbury School, Westonbirt School, Sheldon School and Abbeyfield School in Chippenham.



With easy access to the M4, Bristol is a 35-minute drive away and London is reachable in two hours and 15 minutes. Rail connections are also excellent, with a direct service running from Chippenham to London Paddington in just over an hour.



Council Tax Band: F