Ivy Cottage, Nether Wallop, Hampshire

Thought to date from around 1601, this delightfully striking Grade II-listed cottage fronts Nether Wallop's village square. Brightly washed plaster elevations and a meandering exposed timber frame are crowned by a thatched roof with effortlessly charming eyebrow dormers. The enchanting architectural details continue inside, with rustic beams and oak floors, complemented at the rear by a modern cedar-clad extension that opens out to a glorious garden. It lies within the beautiful Test Valley, close to picturesque Stockbridge and around 25 minutes' drive from Salisbury.

Setting The Scene

Nether Wallop is a small village with a village hall and a historic Anglo-Saxon church, home to the oldest in situ medieval wall paintings in the country. It is one of three villages collectively known as The Wallops, with “Wallop” deriving from the Old English words “waella” and “hop”, which taken together roughly mean "the valley of springing water", and was referenced in the Domesday Book.

Today, Nether Wallop is a traditional pretty English village with many thatched cottages and a peaceful brook running through it, which led to it being chosen as the backdrop for Miss Marple’s home village in the BBC TV adaption of the Agatha Christie novels.

The Grand Tour

A bold red three-panelled timber front door opens to an entrance hallway connecting two reception rooms. Proud beams pass overhead and well-trodden floorboards spread underfoot, contrasted by the white limewashed walls in between the exquisitely aged timber frame.

To the right, is a cosy snug or music room, where a stable door leads out to the garden. On the left, an inviting sitting room with an imposing inglenook fireplace and wood-burning stove is perfect for cosying during cold winter nights. Painted wooden panelling conceals two winding staircases that lead to the sleeping quarters upstairs.

The ground floor gives way to a contemporary kitchen/dining room at the rear with stone tiling and underfloor heating. Floor-to-ceiling glazing and expansive sliding doors illuminate a bright and airy space that is at once in contrast with and complementary to the ambience of the original cottage.

A wealth of painted units line the far end with integrated appliances, a large central island/breakfast bar and sublime granite worktops. There is plenty of space for dining inside or outside with the sliding doors and flush threshold allowing seamless integration of the indoor and outside spaces.

A downstairs shower room with modern fittings sits off a hallway by the side entrance where there is space to shake off muddy boots and coats after a refreshing countryside walk.

The front staircase from the sitting room arrives at a large landing area where the distinct architectural characteristics from below are continued. The current owners use this as a part-time bedroom suite for when guests visit. The principal bedroom is at the far end, threaded through the endearingly uneven frame of the doorway and roofline. Dual-aspect windows look to the square at the front and garden at the rear.

Adjacent is a bathroom with a playfully painted ceiling mural overhead.

The side staircase, also from the sitting room, ascends to the second bedroom. A quaint leaded apex window sits centrally in the gable wall and a rear window captures views across the garden.

The Great Outdoors

A south facing patio at the rear - perfect for dining outdoors - leads up to garden, where an apple tree stands proud in the centre of the lawn surrounded by pristinely manicured flower beds with peonies, roses, irises and more. A further patio area is located towards to the front of a timber outbuilding, a tranquil elevated spot to sit and unwind amongst the well-established plants and shrubs.

An integrated garage is accessed from the front with space for a small car, workshop or storage. There is unrestricted parking on the village square.

Out and About

Nether Wallop is a small village with a buoyant local community. Amenities can be found at the adjoining Wallops, including two pubs, a village shop and post office.

The beautiful Test Valley is widely considered the best place in England for trout fishing, thanks to its clear chalk springs. Nether Wallop lies between the Cranbourne Chase and North Wessex Downs national landscapes and is also close to the New Forest and South Downs; as a result, the options for encounters with nature are near endless.

The town of Stockbridge, a 7-minute drive away, is a popular market town with an impressive range of shops, galleries, delicatessens, pubs and restaurants.

Salisbury is around 25 minutes from the house by car. It is home to a remarkable cathedral and a museum, as well as a wealth of independent provisors. Winchester - also home to an impressive cathedral - is 25 minutes to the east. Stonehenge and the Avesbury Circle, two astonishing Neolithic sites in neighbouring Wiltshire, are a short drive away.

Romsey and Andover are also within reasonable driving distances and there are regular train services from Grateley, a 10-minute drive away, with London Waterloo reached in around 80 minutes. The A303, 5 miles to the north, provides excellent road communication to the West Country and to London via the M3 motorway and the A34 for links to the north and the south coast.

There is a primary school at neighbouring Middle Wallop and a good selection of state and independent schools within a short drive, including the highly regarded Farleigh School in Red Rice, Leehurst Swan and Godolphin in nearby Salisbury, and Winchester College and St. Swithun's in Winchester.

Council Tax Band: E