Bushley Green, Bushley, GL20

Dating from around the seventeenth century, The Stalls is a handsome Grade II listed timber-framed house set within the beautiful privately owned Forthampton Estate.  Reached at the end of a long private driveway, the house occupies a wonderfully secluded position surrounded by open farmland, wild meadows and its own orchard.  Despite its tranquil setting, it lies just three miles from Tewkesbury and within easy reach of Cheltenham, Malvern and Worcester.

The House

This house extends to nearly 4,000 square feet across two floors, not including its generous range of outbuildings, and has been carefully improved and maintained since the present owners purchased in 2006.  It remains full of character with exposed beams, timber framing and open fireplaces, yet its scale and layout make it a practical home for modern family living.

At the heart of the home is the kitchen and breakfast room, a much-loved space with purpose-built cupboards, oak work surfaces and a Falcon induction range cooker.  From here, views through to the drawing room create what the owners describe as “a Dutch interior painting.”  A separate pantry and a useful utility room adjoin the kitchen as well as a cloakroom.

The principal reception rooms include a large drawing room centred around an open Jetmaster fireplace.  A dining hall was created by removing a partition wall to form a light and impressive entertaining space and there is also a cosy library with secondary glazing for comfort which completes the ground floor accommodation.

Upstairs there are five bedrooms, two bathrooms and a further WC.  A particular feature is the ground floor suite to the rear, created by the current owners from a former playroom and artist’s studio.  This generous space includes a large bedroom, a dressing room and a bathroom finished with Cotswold stone tiling.  It is ideally suited for guests or could easily become a self-contained annexe.  Attached, but independently accessed, is a substantial office, still used by the owners but once again perfectly suited as an artist’s studio thanks to its consistent light from a large north-facing window.  Above, the office is a boarded attic with fixed stair access providing excellent storage space.

The Gardens

The grounds extend to about three acres in total.  They have been designed with both colour and practicality in mind, and in spring the wild garden to the front of the house becomes a sea of anemones, chionodoxa, primroses and narcissi, followed by tulips, snakeshead fritillaries, cowslips and quamash.  To the rear are rolling lawns, colourful mixed borders, a productive vegetable garden and a variety of fruit trees.  Beyond lies the orchard, a mature and atmospheric feature planted with cider apple and quince trees, where sheep may graze beneath the blossom.

The Outbuildings

The Stalls is served by a wide range of useful outbuildings.  An insulated garage has been adapted for storage, while further structures include a potting and tool shed, a freestanding greenhouse, a lean-to greenhouse designed by White Cottage, a substantial brick-built chicken house with covered run, and a further brick outbuilding once known as the Otterhound feeding shed.  A tractor shed and log store complete the picture, and an EV charger has been installed beside the back door.

Practicalities

Practical considerations have been well attended to.  A new septic tank and Vortex water filtration system were installed in 2020, conforming with current regulations.   Heating is oil-fired, with underfloor heating in the ground floor suite, and the boiler has been regularly serviced.  The house is alarmed and benefits from reliable broadband of around 67 Mbps as well as strong mobile reception.  Despite its proximity to the River Severn, The Stalls has never flooded.

Location

The Stalls enjoys a location that is both deeply rural and surprisingly accessible.  Bushley Green itself is a peaceful hamlet, while Tewkesbury lies just a few minutes away for everyday amenities.  Cheltenham, Malvern and Worcester can all be reached in around 25 minutes, offering excellent shopping, theatres, festivals and cultural life, from Cheltenham’s renowned racing calendar to Worcester’s historic cathedral and cricket ground.  For dining, there is an abundance of choice close by, with the Inn at Welland, the Butchers Arms in Eldersfield and the Corse Lawn Hotel all highly regarded.

Schools & Connections

Schooling is a particular strength of the area.  On the doorstep is Bredon School, with Malvern College and Malvern St James for Girls close by, as well as The Elms and The Downs prep schools in Colwall.  In Worcester there are the Royal Grammar and King’s Schools, while Cheltenham offers Dean Close, Cheltenham College and Cheltenham Ladies’ College. Communications are equally strong, with the M5 and M50 motorways nearby, mainline rail services available from Cheltenham, Gloucester and Worcester, and both Birmingham and Bristol international airports within easy reach.