Elmstone Hardwicke, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51

Designed for modern family life, the current owners have significantly improved and extended the property to create an impressive and versatile family home. The heart of the house is the stunning open-plan kitchen/ dining/ family area. Bathed in natural light from skylights and bi-fold doors, it creates a seamless flow out to the south-facing garden and patio — perfect for summer barbecues and entertaining. Internally, this superb space is connected to a large sunroom, which in turn connects to the impressive 25ft sitting room creating a wonderful flow throughout the ground floor.

Additional ground-floor accommodation includes a separate snug or study, ideal for home working or quieter relaxation. There is a large downstairs toilet with built in storage cabinets and spacious enough to allow for easy conversion into a shower room if desired. Off the kitchen is a large utility/boot room which offers considerable additional built in storage and worktop space. The utility room has an exit to the side of the house and is perfectly suited to family life in a rural setting.

Upstairs, the property offers five bedrooms, comprising four comfortable doubles and a generous single. The principal bedroom benefits from its own en-suite with step-in shower. The well-appointed family bathroom serves the remaining bedrooms and contains a separate bath and shower. All the double bedrooms have full height built in wardrobes negating the need for stand-alone furnishings so maintaining the spacious feel of the rooms. There are an additional two storage cupboards off the upstairs hallway and another one downstairs, as well as under stair storage.

Outside, the property enjoys a good-sized, level rear garden with a pleasant rural aspect, ideal for families and outdoor entertaining. The large south facing patio enjoys the sun throughout the day and is complemented by flower beds and lawn. Within the garden are a number of mature fruit trees. Towards the bottom of the garden are two productive vegetable beds; managed organically using the “No dig” method championed by Charles Dowding. There is also a large garden shed and greenhouse. To the side of the house is another paved area with a kitchen herb bed and a vertical garden providing culinary and floral interest at the door into the utility room. At the front of the property there is a large chippings drive easily accommodating 4 or 5 vehicles which is edged by an easily maintained herbaceous border. At the front of the property is a large detached double garage. This is fitted with shelving and the roof space offers some further storage options. Behind the garage is a covered storage area which is used to keep logs for the wood burner in the lounge, and serves as a bin store as well.

The current owners have significantly extended the property in 2015 to create an impressive and versatile family home. The kitchen was fitted with high quality units with solid wood doors, a mix of granite and oak worktops and Neff appliances. Matching units are installed in the utility room and the downstairs cloakroom providing an abundance of storage space.

At the same time they took the opportunity to upgrade other elements of the house. A new highly efficient gas boiler was fitted to provide for the underfloor heating in the extension as well as the upgrades to the central heating and hot water system which is fully pressurised. No more low powered showers! New aluminium double glazing was installed throughout the house. High quality oak faced engineered flooring has been laid in the lounge, sun-room and downstairs hallway. The house is in good decorative order with a neutral colour palette.

The house sits in a small hamlet of houses one mile to the north of the main part of the village of Elmstone Hardwicke and close to Stoke Orchard. The house is surrounded by open countryside,but remains exceptionally well connected. There is easy and quick access to Cheltenham (6ml), Gloucester(10ml), Tewkesbury(8ml) and Bishops Cleeve(4ml). Meanwhile work is being carried out to turn Junction 10 of the M5(1ml) into a full junction next year. Cheltenham offers its renowned Regency architecture, boutique shopping, award-winning restaurants and internationally celebrated festivals, including Literature, Jazz, Science and the world-famous Cheltenham Festival at Prestbury Park Racecourse. Excellent transport links via the A435, A46 and M5 motorway make commuting straightforward, while Cheltenham Spa railway station provides regular direct services to Birmingham, Bristol and London Paddington.

Local amenities include the Stoke Orchard Village Store (0.5ml), two farm shops - Court Farm(2ml) and Coombe Hill (2ml). The local Gloucester Old Spot pub (1ml) has a good reputation for food and guest ales while across from the Old Spot the Clavell and Hinds tap room (1ml) offers a good selection of craft beers, pub style menu as well as regular events including live music and quiz nights. Only a five minute drive away is a new David Lloyd Club (3ml) in Bishops Cleeve offering a fitness centre, swimming pool, padel and tennis courts and a health spa. For the more energetic, Cheltenham North Rugby club is just across the road while Cheltenham Rugby is only another mile beyond that in Bishops Cleeve. Both cater for adult and children's rugby. Meanwhile Cleeve Colts run football teams from U7 to U16 in the Cheltenham Youth League. For golfers Sherdons Golf Centre (3ml) offers a driving range and 9 hole course. For full 18 hole experience there is Tewkesbury Park (5m), Cleeve Hill(6ml) or Brickhampton Court(5ml). Local footpaths and bridleways offer the opportunity to walk the surrounding countryside and enjoy seeing an abundance of wildlife while exercising your dogs. Nearby, Cleeve Hill provides some of the finest walking, cycling and outdoor recreation in the Cotswolds, with spectacular panoramic views across the surrounding countryside.

As for schools, Gloucestershire schools dominate The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026, leading the regional league tables for the South West with top spots in grammar, comprehensive, and independent categories.