Orchard Hill Salterns Lane, Bursledon Southampton, SO31 8DH

Orchard Hill is a substantial late 1920s Arts and Crafts family home set high above the River Hamble in Old Bursledon, with around 4,500 square feet, seven bedrooms and 1.33 acres of landscaped gardens enjoying long views to the water and beyond.

Orchard Hill is a substantial late-1920s Arts and Crafts home set high above the River Hamble in the conservation village of Old Bursledon, enjoying long views across its own 1.33 acres of established grounds to the water and beyond. Arranged over two floors and extending to around 4,500 square feet, it offers generous and flexible family accommodation with seven bedrooms, four bath/shower rooms and four reception spaces, together with extensive parking and a double garage.

Approached via a long, tree-lined drive that curves up between banks of planting to a deep gravel sweep, the house sits well back from the lane and feels wonderfully private. The elevations are classic Arts and Crafts, with warm brickwork, steep tiled roofs, tall chimneys and a strong balcony line across the river front. The entrance is deliberately theatrical: a brick-tiled threshold leads to a heavy oak front door and, once inside, you step down into a wide reception hall, with immediate views of the garden and river.

Throughout the house, the original detailing has been carefully preserved. William Morris wallpaper and matching curtains appear in a number of rooms, complemented by parquet flooring, panelled oak doors, deep skirting boards and period ironmongery. Fireplaces are a recurring theme; there are several substantial brick inglenooks, some with space to sit in the chimney breast itself, creating atmospheric focal points for the main reception spaces.

Accommodation

The broad reception hall immediately sets the tone, with parquet flooring underfoot, William Morris wallcoverings and an impressive brick fireplace. From here the principal living space unfolds towards the river.

From here, folding stained glass doors, specially commissioned by the owners to echo the colours and forms of the Hamble, open into a beautifully proportioned drawing room spanning much of the width of the house, with windows on more than one side, an ornate brick inglenook and French doors opening directly onto the terrace so that the river forms a constant backdrop.

The reception space also links into the large dining room. This arrangement allows the three rooms to work either as one large suite for entertaining or as separate, more intimate areas. From the dining room, through a further set of stained glass folding doors is an impressive garden room, more orangery than conservatory, with brick walls, a glass roof and full-height glazing on three sides overlooking the front gardens. It is an everyday living space filled with light, enhanced by the golden tones of the stained glass doors, and easily opened up in warmer weather.

A further reception room, fitted with bookcases and another brick fireplace with a wood burning stove, provides an inviting snug or library. The kitchen/breakfast room runs along the opposite side of the house and is designed for family use, with extensive bespoke timber cabinetry, display cupboards and a long run of Corian work surface wrapping around a central space that comfortably accommodates a large table. At the heart of the kitchen is a four-oven gas Aga set into a tiled recess, which also contributes to the hot water system, with further integrated appliances including a Miele dishwasher and built-in fridge and freezer. A utility room, cloakroom and additional ground floor shower room complete the principal level.

An original oak staircase rises from the hall to a generous galleried landing, lit by wide windows overlooking the gardens. The upper level is arranged to make the most of the outlook: several of the bedrooms open via French doors directly onto a long first-floor balcony that runs across much of the river elevation. From here, the view takes in the formal gardens below, the tops of the clipped yews, and beyond them the masts and water of the Hamble.

In total there are seven bedrooms, six of which are good double rooms, each with space for freestanding furniture and, in some cases, fitted wardrobes and dressing furniture. The principal bedroom is notably generous, with a sitting area by the windows, extensive built-in storage and dual aspects including over the river. Three bath/shower rooms serve the accommodation on this floor, all offering both bath and separate shower.

Gardens and setting

The grounds are arranged in a series of distinct but flowing areas. To the front, mature trees and shrub borders line the approach, with lawns and stone retaining walls giving a sense of depth and seclusion. Paths and steps rise gently away from the drive towards orchard-style planting and more informal lawn areas, where trees and specimen shrubs are set within broad sweeps of grass.

On the river side of the house, a broad stone terrace runs the full length of the elevation, providing multiple places to sit and dine while enjoying the outlook. From here, steps lead down to a large lawn flanked by clipped yews and established hedging, with the river visible between the trees. Further down the garden, a circular pond and stone-paved surround create a focal point, with open lawns leading to an orchard of productive fruit trees beyond giving a sense of space and scale that is hard to find in such a central village setting.

Old Bursledon itself is a small, historic village on the western bank of the River Hamble, designated as a conservation area and long associated with boatbuilding and the river. The nearby Elephant Boatyard recalls the village’s shipbuilding past, while the Strawberry Trail offers well-known walking routes through countryside and along the shoreline. The Jolly Sailor, a popular waterside pub with its own slipway, is a local landmark and a focal point for river life.

Bursledon railway station is around half a mile away, connecting to Southampton Airport Parkway for services to London Waterloo in approximately 1 hour 10 minutes, and the M27 and M3 provide straightforward road access to Southampton and London.

Tenure Freehold | Council Tax Band H | EPC D

Property information

Tenure: Freehold

Council Tax: Band H (Eastleigh Borough Council)

EPC rating: D

Listing status: Non-listed building within a conservation area

Construction: Standard brick under tiled roof

Services: Mains gas, electricity, water and drainage

Heating and hot water: Gas central heating; gas-fired four-oven Aga assisting with hot water; additional electric immersion heater

Broadband: FTTC available (buyers should verify speeds and providers)

Mobile coverage: 5G reported in the area (buyers should confirm with their provider)

Parking: Double garage and ample driveway parking

Access: Approached via a long entrance drive over which two neighbouring properties have a right of way

Legal: Historic covenants and rights typical of properties of this age and setting; further details available from the agent and to be confirmed by the buyer’s solicitor.

Nestled within a highly regarded conservation area, this home forms part of an architecturally rich and protected environment, enhancing both its appeal and long-term desirability.

Approximate distances: Bursledon Station 0.5 miles; River Hamble (via nearby footpath) 0.2 miles; Southampton Airport 6.8 miles