Whitchurch, Ross-on-Wye

The Stables:

As the name suggests, this delightful, detached home originally served as a stable block and hay barn, but was beautifully converted in 2016 into an appealingly airy two-to-three-bedroom country residence. Enveloped by tranquil countryside, the charming property boasts an open-plan living space, a low-maintenance garden, and the home and its grounds are tucked away behind a set of electronic gates, which creates a sense of privacy and peace.


Location:

The Stables is set within a small and quiet complex of a medieval farm and converted farm buildings, which are encircled by rolling countryside, and close to two idyllic and friendly villages. The first of these, Whitchurch, is highly sought-after. The welcoming community is found in the heart of the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers many crown jewels in the form of its local amenities, and arguably its most dazzling is the Church of England Primary School, which boasts a coveted 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating. In recent years, this has been placed in the top 2% of schools nationally for the progress that children make in reading, writing and maths.

The village also includes a reputable MOT centre and a popular shop, Woods of Whitchurch which also operates as a coffee shop and takeaway. There are also several other hospitality venues; The Old Court serves comforting home-cooked meals, The Potting Shed is a highly commended restaurant, and a selection of reputable riverside pubs and restaurants are within walking distance.
The second village, Llangrove, also offers plenty of local amenities including a Church of England primary school, which carries an 'Outstanding' rating from SIAMS and a 'Good' grade from Ofsted. There is also a popular village hall, a welcoming church and a country pub, The Royal Arms, which is positioned at the top of the village and regularly earns rave reviews online for good food, excellent beer and an inviting atmosphere. Further afield, the spectacular setting of Symonds Yat - which is famed for its phenomenal river scenery, woodland expanses and limestone cliffs - is around a ten-minute drive from The Stables, meaning that there are many magnificent walking routes and outdoor pursuits close by. In addition, the Biblins swing bridge, which crosses the Wye, leads over to the Forest of Dean - giving access to thousands of acres of hikes through the wilderness.

The two popular market towns of Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth are also nearby. These both offer highly regarded secondary schools, supermarkets, a variety of restaurants, pubs, leisure facilities and independently owned shops. A network of good transport links are a short drive from the property. The A40 is around a mile away; the eastbound road provides a direct route to Gloucester, Cheltenham and the Cotswolds. Meanwhile, motorists heading in the opposite direction can journey towards the M4 at Newport, giving access to Cardiff and London. In addition, the M50 motorway begins in Ross-on-Wye around seven miles away and this provides good access to the M5 motorway.

The home at a glance:

The main entrance into this beautifully presented home leads into the open-plan living space, which is a bright, airy expanse; plenty of natural light pours in through two aspects. This includes a walnut floor, which was fitted as an homage to the orchard of walnut trees nearby. Within the kitchen, there are timelessly elegant shaker-style units, sourced from Wren Kitchens, and a large breakfast bar with an American walnut countertop. In terms of appliances, there is a Bosch oven and hob with an extractor fan and a 1 + 1/2 sink with a mixer tap, as well as a built in washing machine and dishwasher. The efficient oil-powered boiler was installed in 2023, and the barn is exceptionally well insulated and warm in the winter, besides being south facing. In the far right-hand corner of the room, three steps lead down to a hallway. A window exhibits a panoramic view of the rolling countryside, and a stable door presents an alternative entrance into the home, as well as a useful small garden for additional storage or utility.

This hallway gives access to two bedrooms. Of these, the master bears a vaulted ceiling and enjoys two aspects - and one window exhibits the gentle hills in the far distance. The master bedroom also carries a large en-suite shower room which is complete with a dual-headed corner shower, a WC, a pedestal basin and a heated towel rail. The second bedroom features a quirky pitched ceiling and is next door to the family bathroom, a shower room which contains a large dual-headed shower, WC, pedestal wash basin and a heated towel rail.

A staircase within the open-plan space - secured behind a glass balustrade - leads up to a large mezzanine floor, which has a vaulted ceiling. The space suits itself to a wide range of uses and may be suitable as a home office, a separate sitting room, or a large third bedroom. There is potential to enclose some of the galleried space, if required, to create an en-suite or additional room.

Outside, the low-maintenance suntrap courtyard garden offers a serene and private space to sit and enjoy the peaceful rural setting. In terms of parking, there is a large gravel driveway and this and the grounds are fully enclosed behind a closed-board fence. Electric gates are being fitted imminently, for ease and convenience.


General:

Services: Mains electricity. There is a shared water treatment unit for sewerage in the garden of the adjoining barn. Oil central heating (Worcester Bosch fitted in 2023 and under warranty)
Local authority: Herefordshire Council. Council tax band C.
Tenure: Freehold

Directions:

Take the A40 to Whitchurch, exit and proceed to Llangrove. At the top of the hill on the righthand side, there is a post box and entrance for Great Trewen Farm. Adjacent to the farm turn right onto Little Trewen Lane and The Stables is located on the left.

What3Words: cornfield.charmingly.reclaim

Distances:

Monmouth 6 miles * Ross-on-Wye 7 miles * Hereford 16 miles * Ledbury 23 miles * Gloucester 25 miles *Cheltenham 42 miles * Bristol 51 miles
(Distances are all approximate)