Old Church Rooms, Blakeney, Gloucestershire

This captivating three-bedroom house is nestled in Blakeney, a tranquil village in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. Originally built in the 1800s, the house’s grand double-height ceilings and exposed timber beams are relics of its past use as a church hall. The subject of a sympathetic conversion, this light-filled space is designed for modern living, with an expansive open-plan living space, solar panels and an air source heat pump. Gloucester rail station is a 30-minute drive away, and provides a direct service to London Paddington in approximately one hour and 40 minutes. Lydney station is an eight-minute drive away and runs direct services to Gloucester, Cheltenham and across the Welsh border.

The Tour

Old Church Rooms sits on a quiet single-track lane in the heart of Blakeney. Local stone, a slate-tiled roof and clean lines form the exterior of the house. A wrought-iron gate set into a generous entrance porch leads to the front door, which unfolds into an expansive open-plan kitchen, living and dining space.

Dramatic double-height pitched ceilings amplify the sense of volume, and original beams overhead have been painted in crisp white. The space is illuminated by a series of recessed windows, while timber flooring runs underfoot here and throughout. Exposed copper pipework traces the ceiling and forms part of the house’s air source heat pump system.

In the sitting area, a fireplace with a wooden mantelpiece is fitted with a log burner - the perfect spot for reclining on cooler evenings. Solid wood kitchen cabinets have been finished in Little Greene's 'Apple' and topped with oak worktops. An electric range cooker is integrated into an island, and there is a butler sink with unlaquered brass fittings.

The principal bedroom is found at the rear of the plan. The room is bathed in light from a series of windows on two sides, while soaring ceilings create a wonderfully open space. There are two further bright bedrooms, one of which has built-in storage washed in a sage green hue. A shared bathroom, tiled in natural travertine, has a bathtub with porcelain panelling.

Outdoor Space

There is a paved courtyard at the front of the house, with room for sitting out. Its south-westerly aspect makes it especially lovely for afternoon tea. A roof terrace has the potential to be reinstated with the relevant planning permissions in place.

A gravelled parking area lies at the front of the house.

The Area

Blakeney is a peaceful village nestled in the Forest of Dean. The area is known for its picturesque scenery, rolling hills and ancient woodlands; the Forest of Dean National Park and the Wye Valley National Landscape are both only a short drive away. Other local attractions include Symmonds Yat Rock, Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean Cycling Centre, Beechenhurst, Mallards Pike, Cannop Ponds, Dymmock Woods and Nags Head Nature Reserve.

There are excellent dining options nearby, including Simply Wild in Coleford, Post in Newnham, and Tudor Farmhouse Hotel in Clearwell. There is a convenience store in the village, along with a pub, a post office and a doctor's surgery. Larger supermarkets are a short drive away in Lydney and Coleford.

Though delightfully rural, Blakeney is also within easy reach of the M4 and M5 and a number of popular towns and cities in the area. Gloucester is around a 30-minute drive away, with Gloucester Quays providing an excellent array of shops and eateries. Gloucester Cathedral has a superb array of concerts and exhibitions throughout the year, and the annual Three Choirs Festival, reputedly the longest-running music festival in the world, offers further live music opportunities.

The ever-popular town of Cheltenham is also within easy driving distance, with its internationally renowned literary, science, classical, jazz, and food festivals as well as a wide offering of marvellous independent shops, restaurants, pubs and bars. For fans of racing, Chepstow and Cheltenham both have excellent race courses.

There are excellent schooling options in the area, including Blakeney Primary, Newnham St Peter CofE Primary, and The King’s School in Gloucester.

Gloucester rail station is a 30-minute drive from the house, with direct trains to London in around one hour and 40 minutes. Lydney rail station is an eight-minute drive away, with regular train services to Gloucester and Cheltenham (connecting to the Midlands, Birmingham and London), and to Wales (Chepstow, Newport and Cardiff) as well as Bristol and the South West. It has convenient free parking on site. Bristol also has an international airport, just over an hour’s drive away.

Council Tax Band: C