Shuckburgh Road, Priors Marston, Southam

I was enveloped by a great sense of calm the moment I stepped through the door of David and Judith’s architect-designed home in the Warwickshire village of Priors Marston, known for its handsome stone houses and strong community. Even after all these years the job still throws up the odd gem, and Marston Grange delights at every turn.

Open-plan layouts can become nebulous if they’re not handled well; not here. Marston Grange manages the neat trick of combining a contemporary flow with clearly defined rooms. The standout is a brilliantly executed hobby room—purposeful, light and, if I’m honest, a space I was deeply envious of.

David and Judith secured planning in 2014 and moved in during the summer of 2016. They’ve lived all over the world—Switzerland included—and that influence is written into the large, rear-facing first-floor veranda (to call it a balcony would be unfair): a protected, all-season perch to watch the weather work across open countryside.

Downstairs there’s a culinary enthusiast’s kitchen built around an electric Everhot stove, flowing to an open-plan living/dining space, plus a snug, the hobby room and a guest cloakroom/WC, all tied together by a luxurious oak floor.

Upstairs the sense of volume continues: the landing leads to a large open room with views over the countryside—excellent for home working—and three generous bedrooms (including an impressive principal suite) and a guest bathroom.

The frontage has presence without being showy, a gravel forecourt with parking for several cars and an EV charging point. Of particular note is the productive kitchen garden.

At the back, a glazed ground-floor veranda and an open terrace steps down to a low-maintenance plot—so you can entertain year-round without spending every weekend pushing a mower.
It’s practical, too. The EPC is 88, there are solar panels on the roof, and the fabric is packed with insulation—so bills are kept sensibly low now and, more importantly, in the years ahead.