The Hermitage, King's Somborne, Hampshire

This characterful four-bedroom home lies in the pretty village of King’s Somborne, Hampshire. Thoughtfully updated by its current owners, the house is defined by a considered combination of natural plaster walls, warm terracotta tiles and original timber floorboards. A cedar-clad dining room opens onto a lush garden beyond; here, a self-contained annexe is suitable as a studio or as guest accommodation, and converted garages provide a creative workspace. From the house, Winchester station is less than a 15-minute drive away and runs regular services to London Waterloo in under an hour.



Setting the Scene



The village of King’s Somborne was once a royal estate owned by the crown. The area is known for its spectacular setting in the Test Valley, as well as a series of historically significant buildings, from 15th-century flint and chalk cottages to Marsh Court, a private residence designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in the early 20th century.



The Hermitage is a pretty red brick building thought to date from the mid-19th century. A wealth of period features has been retained, including solid timber floorboards.



The Grand Tour



A private driveway sweeps up to the front of the house, which occupies an elevated position set back from the road. Inside, a bright sitting room lies to one side of the entrance, its walls finished in natural red plaster. Original floorboards run underfoot, and a cast-iron fireplace is decorated with intricate tiling. Across the hall, a versatile space is currently used as a library, with a wonderfully characterful stove set within the red brick alcove.



Red quarry tiles lead through to the kitchen, where bespoke cabinetry by Ardent Kitchens is finished with marble countertops. There is a butler sink, a Leisure cooker, and an American-style fridge. A dining area by C3 Architects sits adjacent. Solid cedar joinery lines the ceiling and part of the wall, while large recessed windows frame lush garden views.



Three well-appointed bedrooms are found on the first floor. The principal has original timber floorboards and a wide casement window with treetop views. A family bathroom has a bathtub with an overhead skylight, raw plaster walls and marine ply panelling.



A quiet annexe (known as the 'Mole Hole' to the current owners) is positioned on the lower tier of the front gardens, lending well to overflow living space or guest accommodation. This peaceful space has its own entrance and bathroom, an excellent quality of natural light, and slate floor tiles running underfoot.



The former double garage, set at street level, has been converted into a workspace and is currently used as a creative studio. This separate building has an upper floor with vaulted ceilings used for storage, which could be easily repurposed as another useful room. The entire building could be easily converted to a garage if required.



The Great Outdoors



Lush gardens wrap the front and side of the house, enclosed by mature trees providing excellent privacy. Largely laid to lawn, its borders are filled with a variety of trees and shrubbery, and there is a paved area for outdoor dining. The private driveway provides off-street parking for two cars.



Out and About



King’s Somborne is a peaceful village within Hampshire’s picturesque Test Valley. It has a convenience store, a primary school, a village hall and a friendly pub, The Crown Inn. Stockbridge, voted one of the Sunday Times best places to live in 2026 and 2024, lies three miles away, and is well-loved for its selection of eclectic cafes, independent shops, and food retailers.



Opportunities for exploring in nature are almost endless, with unique and stunning river walks within minutes of the house and throughout the surrounding countryside. Test Valley is known for its rolling hills, water meadows and clear chalk springs, while the ancient New Forest is around a 30-minute drive away.



Salisbury is around 18 miles from The Hermitage. It is home to a remarkable cathedral and a museum, as well as a wealth of independent shops. Winchester – also home to an impressive cathedral – is even closer at hand, and Stonehenge is also within easy driving distance.



There is a primary school in King’s Somborne, and a good selection of state and independent schools within a short drive, including the highly regarded Farleigh School in Red Rice, Leehurst Swan and Godolphin in nearby Salisbury, and Winchester College and St. Swithun’s in Winchester. The wider area is also well-known for excellent private schooling, including Twyford and Pilgrims, which are easily reached.



Winchester rail station is less than 15-minutes' drive away, with regular services to London Waterloo in under an hour. Southampton airport is approximately 30 minutes away by car.



Council Tax Band: E