Field House, Condicote, Gloucestershire

Field House lies on the edge of Condicote, a quiet village within the Cotswolds National Landscape, two and a half miles from the popular market town of Stow-on-the-Wold and the Golden Triangle. Originally built in 1813, this former gameskeeper's cottage has been imaginatively transformed by the current owner, architect Jonathan Blake of Blake & Blake Architects, to create a home that effortlessly combines old with new. The primary plan takes an L-shape, with expansive glazing that fosters constant connection to the meticulously landscaped gardens. It spans over 3150 sq ft, with three/four bedrooms in the main house and a one-bedroom annexe.



The Tour



Set centrally within the late Georgian façade, the former front door to the original cottage remains, with the new primary entrance now sitting discreetly to the side.



Immediately to the right is an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space flooded with natural light from floor-to-ceiling glazing, a dramatic rooflight over the island, and custom Crittall doors, all framed in cream - a nod to the building's brick. At one end is a bespoke kitchen, with a Rangemaster oven, a large central island and marble countertops. Tactile grooved oak doors front extensive storage, with full-height cupboards running along the length of the room.



At the other end, there is a spacious dining area with Louis Poulsen PH5 pendant light fittings next to a seating area that projects out into the garden, only separated by sliding doors and a flush threshold.



A wide corridor wraps around the entirety of this space, with even more storage carefully integrated behind bespoke cabinetry. There is access to the utility room, shower room, WC and plant room from here.



The end of the corridor opens to a rear courtyard, providing a discreet second entrance. To the left of the main entrance hallway, a generously proportioned drawing room occupies the entire ground floor of the original cottage. With six-over-six pane sash windows along the front, wood panelling to a dado rail, and wood-burning stoves at either end, the room is traditional yet light, and is spacious enough to accommodate large gatherings.



At the far end, an additional reception room, configured by the current owners as a home office but equally ideal as a playroom or additional guest bedroom, completes the ground-floor plan. Full-height sliding glazed doors with minimalist frames again create a strong connection with the outdoors, while an exquisite bespoke Japanese oak bookcase lines the rear wall.



On the first floor of the main house are three bedrooms, all with vaulted ceilings and views over the garden and the seemingly endless fields beyond. The principal suite is dual-aspect; it has a separate dressing room and a contemporary en-suite bathroom finished in marble and oak with twin sinks, rattan vanity unit and Dowsing and Reynolds fittings throughout.



Two additional bedrooms, both generous doubles, complete the first-floor accommodation. A striking shared bathroom is also on this level, unfolding beneath a dramatic feature roof light.



A glass corridor connects the main house to what the current owners term the ‘Cow Shed’, an annexe with a well-equipped kitchen and living space on the ground floor and a large bedroom with additional daybeds and a bathroom on the upper floor – perfect for visiting family or guests.



The annexe has been finished to the same exacting standards as the rest of the house, but with a bolder use of patterns and colours. Downstairs, Morris & Co's ‘Apple’ wallpaper is set against panelling painted in Farrow & Ball 'Picture Gallery Red'. Upstairs, GP & J Baker’s ‘Magnolia’ combines with a vaulted ceiling and painted wood panelling.



Outside Space



To the front of the house are meticulously landscaped gardens. Vegetables and lavender grow in sleeper beds arranged among neat stone paving. Next to the beds, a decked seating area with integrated oak benches is arranged around a stone chimney with an open fire.



In the middle section, well-placed espalier fruit trees (apple, pear and plum) provide privacy while still allowing far-reaching views over open countryside beyond.



A gravelled drive at the front, accessed by five-bar timber field gates on either side, allows ample parking for several cars.



Stone outbuildings providing useful storage lie along one side.



The Area



Condicote is a small but perfectly formed village surrounded by the green rolling hills of the Cotswolds National Landscape. Its position makes it a brilliant foothold to explore the quieter, historic corners of the Cotswolds. Close by are a wealth of walking, cycling and horse-riding routes that meander through the scenic countryside.



The village has a variety of handsome homes centred around its historic 'Pound', a pretty village green. For everyday needs, nearby Stow-on-the-Wold and Moreton-in-Marsh, 10 and 13-minute drives respectively, provide a wide range of local services including supermarkets, independent shops, pubs and restaurants. The Old Butchers and The Old Stocks Inn are among the local favourites.



Cheltenham is a 35-minute drive to the south-west. Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon are also within easy reach and have further options for shopping, dining and cultural experiences.



Nearby destinations include Daylesford Organic and Bamford Wellness Spa, renowned dining and accommodation at The Wild Rabbit in Kingham, and at Great Tew, Soho Farmhouse.



The north Cotswolds is rich in sporting and spectating opportunities. Cheltenham Racecourse hosts world-class jump racing events, including the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup. There are popular golf courses at Burford, Naunton Downs, and Lyneham, while rugby fans will find top tier matches in Gloucester.



The cultural calendar is equally vibrant, with highlights such as the Cheltenham Literature Festival, The Big Feastival, Wilderness Festival, and numerous concerts, art exhibitions, and theatre productions throughout the year.



Condicote is ideally placed for families, with excellent access to a number of well-regarded schools such as Temple Guiting and Longborough Primary, Kitebrook Preparatory School, Chipping Campden School, The Cotswold School, and a variety of independent and state schools in Cheltenham, Oxford, and Stratford-upon-Avon.



Transport links are superb, with the village situated midway between the M40 and M5 motorways - providing convenient access to London, the Midlands, and the West Country. Moreton-in Marsh railway station is a 15-minute drive away and provides mainline services to Oxford and London Paddington, with the fastest journey to the capital taking approximately 76 minutes. Birmingham International Airport is reached in a little over an hour by car.



Council Tax Band: E