Oare, Wiltshire, SN8 4JA

Believed to date back to the 18th century, The Old Post Office Cottage is a truly captivating Grade II Listed home, steeped in history and full of the kind of charm that is becoming increasingly hard to find. Originally connected to village life as the old post office, this substantial semi detached English cottage offers almost 2,500 sq ft of beautifully versatile accommodation, all wrapped in character and set within the ever desirable Wiltshire village of Oare, nestled between Marlborough and Pewsey.

From the very first glance, this is a home that tells a story. The picturesque thatched roof, the original Sun Insurance plaque proudly positioned above the front door, and the pillar box red entrance, a wonderful nod to the building’s former life, all combine to create an unforgettable first impression. Framed by climbing roses and rich with cottage appeal, the approach sets the tone for what lies beyond.

Inside, the house unfolds with an abundance of warmth, personality and period detail. Exposed timber beams, deep set characterful rooms, an impressive brick fireplace and an extraordinary brick vaulted cellar all speak to the property’s long and fascinating history. Yet while the cottage celebrates its heritage beautifully, it also offers the scale and flexibility needed for modern living.

The welcoming inner lobby leads through to the magnificent living room, a wonderfully atmospheric space that perfectly captures the essence of this home. Here, a striking inglenook style brick fireplace takes centre stage, now housing a wood burning stove that makes this room especially inviting during the colder months. The exposed beams overhead and the sense of age and craftsmanship throughout create a room that feels both grand and deeply cosy, the kind of space made for winter evenings by the fire, quiet moments with a book, or gathering with family and friends.

To the front of the house, the dining room provides another elegant and characterful reception space. Ideal for entertaining, it is a room with great flexibility and could equally serve as a snug, sitting room or study depending on your lifestyle. Adding even more intrigue is the fabulous brick vaulted cellar, an incredibly unusual and memorable feature that the current owners have enjoyed using for dinner parties. It is a space full of ambience and history, sure to leave a lasting impression on guests.

To the rear, the cottage opens into a generously sized kitchen/dining room extension, where period charm meets the practicality of everyday life. Overlooking the south facing garden, this light filled room is a wonderful hub of the home, with ample storage, extensive worktop space and room for appliances including an oven, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. It is easy to imagine this room at the heart of daily life, from slow breakfasts overlooking the garden to lively evenings entertaining with doors open in the warmer months. Adjoining the kitchen is a useful utility/boot room with access outside, alongside a spacious ground floor bathroom fitted with both a bath and separate shower cubicle.

One of the home’s most valuable and versatile features is the exceptionally large ground floor bedroom. Enjoying lovely views over the garden and benefitting from its own ensuite shower room, this room is ideal as a principal guest suite, for multi generational living, or simply for anyone wanting a little more privacy and independence within the home.

Upstairs, three further double bedrooms continue the theme of generous proportions and character. The principal bedroom is a particularly lovely room, enjoying views over the garden and an abundance of charm, while the remaining two bedrooms to the front are also excellent sizes, both easily accommodating double beds. One of these additionally benefits from a large walk in wardrobe, adding yet more practicality to this already impressive home.

Outside, the rear garden is a delight. South facing and wonderfully established, it offers a peaceful, private haven that feels entirely in keeping with the age and style of the cottage. Mainly laid to lawn, it is bordered by mature hedging and beautifully planted flower and shrub beds that bring colour, softness and seasonal interest throughout the year. A raised decked seating area provides the perfect place for alfresco dining, morning coffee or simply sitting back and enjoying the birdsong. It is a garden that invites you to slow down and savour the setting.

A further practical benefit is the garage/store and private driveway to the rear, accessed via Pound Lane, an invaluable feature for a period cottage in such a sought after village location.

The current owners have lovingly and sympathetically cared for the property, undertaking extensive improvements including a completely new thatch, updated central heating, new oil tank and new electrics. As a result, The Old Post Office Cottage beautifully balances historic character with everyday comfort, allowing the next owners to move straight in and begin enjoying all that this remarkable home has to offer.

Oare is one of those villages that quietly captures your heart. Surrounded by the breathtaking landscape of the Pewsey Vale and perfectly placed between Marlborough and Pewsey, it offers a glorious countryside setting with a strong sense of community and a rich village heritage. With its well regarded primary school, village hall and historic church, Oare has a wonderfully connected feel, while events such as the Easter Trail and the much loved monthly wood fired pizza evenings add to its welcoming atmosphere. For those who love the outdoors, the surrounding countryside offers beautiful walks in every direction, making this a village lifestyle that is both peaceful and deeply appealing.

The owners say, “The Old Post Office has filled our lives with so much joy over the past three years. A home to our two and four legged family, a base for numerous adventures, a place to host laughter filled dinner parties and a place with enough memories to last a lifetime. While we are relocating to be nearer family and we know we will miss this special home, we are excited for the next residents to experience such a wonderful place to live. It has been a labour of love to restore her to her former glory, with a few modern touches to make it a comfortable place to live. The house blossoms with charm and feels filled with good energy.

When we arrive home on those cold, crisp winter evenings we love to enjoy the cosy living room and the roaring fire that sits within the grand fireplace with our animals.

The four bedrooms are sufficiently spacious for large double beds in each. The master bedroom, with its original beams, offers a beautiful tranquil space, and each day starts with a beautiful sunrise over the fields, while the ground floor bedroom offers a lovely view of the garden and is always a favourite with visitors.

In the summer we often spend time in the large kitchen, cooking up delights for friends and family, with the double doors opened up to the garden. It is a wonderful entertaining space at all times of year, whether in the dining room, kitchen or garden. We have even hosted dinner parties in the cellar.

Whenever the sun is out, we will often spend time in the garden, listening to the songbirds, appreciating the colour of the flowers and getting our hands dirty gardening. Every year the apple tree delivers a spectacular bounty, which means lots of apple crumble. We also love the market in Marlborough where we get all our fruit and veg.”

Kim Loves: “This is exactly the kind of home that makes hearts skip a beat. The charm here is simply extraordinary, from the thatched roof and original period features to the fascinating history woven into every corner. It has that rare ability to feel both wonderfully characterful and incredibly generous in size, and I absolutely adore the beautiful garden and the sense of peace this home offers.”

Services: Mains water, drainage and electricity. Oil fired central heating.
EPC: D
Council Tax Band: E