Longstock, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20

A rare opportunity to acquire a truly unique family home, combining contemporary living with a superb setting in the heart of the Test Valley.

Description

A rare opportunity to acquire a truly one-of-a-kind contemporary home, designed and built in 2008 by architect Paul Jenkins of Place, as his own residence. Nestled within the historic village of Longstock in Hampshire’s renowned Test Valley, the house is a masterclass in site-specific design, a striking modern intervention that sits effortlessly within a 19th-century walled garden with wrap around pond and its wider conservation setting.

Striking full height windows frame the gardens, while multiple sliding doors allow the interior to open entirely to the outside. Light, volume and detail define this home, with every space designed to appreciate the tranquillity of the setting. The accommodation extends to 1,792 sq. ft. and is both versatile and beautifully presented. An impressive open plan kitchen, living and dining space forms the heart of the home, designed for peaceful everyday living as much as for generous entertaining. As the property faces east, beautiful sunrises can be enjoyed from the living space and the principal bedroom, perfect for morning coffee. A separate reception room offers a space for cosier evenings, while a utility/boot room completes the ground floor arrangement.

Upstairs, there are three double bedrooms, including one en suite, along with a well appointed family bathroom. There is also a spacious loft space which is useful for seasonal storage. The vendors have also made additions and alterations to the home, focussing on practicality and ease of living.

In addition to the main house, the property benefits from a detached double carport, providing excellent covered parking alongside the private driveway. The carport provides ample storage for bikes and gardening tools. There is also planning permission to convert the carport into a double height annexe with studio apartment and home office (23/00379/FULLN). The gardens are a defining feature of the property with a beautifully structured landscape designed for year round interest, enclosed by the original 19th century wall. A reflective pond, south facing terrace, level lawns and expanses of paving create a series of idyllic, tranquil outdoor spaces that blend seamlessly with the architecture of the house.

Underfloor heating throughout is powered by a air source heat pump, with the construction itself thoughtfully designed to maximise efficiency and complement the natural materials used. The setting is exceptional. Longstock is a small, highly protected conservation village with numerous listed buildings, and the garden borders land designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This is a unique opportunity to acquire a home of architectural integrity, craftsmanship and environmental sensitivity, crafted with rare attention to detail and positioned in one of Hampshire’s most beautiful and tightly preserved villages.

Location

Longstock sits at the heart of the Test Valley, one of Hampshire’s most attractive stretches of rolling countryside, and is designated a conservation area renowned for its tranquillity and historic character. The village is exceptionally sought after, home to the celebrated Peat Spade Inn and positioned on the southern edge of the 4,000 acre Leckford Estate, owned and farmed by Waitrose. The Estate’s renowned farm shop, café and nursery are approximately 1 mile from the house, while Longstock House and its famous water gardens and arboretum open regularly to the public. There are also traditional wild wood-fired saunas located in the nearby areas of Fullerton (1.6 miles) and Cottonworth (3.2 miles).

The neighbouring market town of Stockbridge, just c.1.5 miles to the south, offers an impressive selection of independent shops, galleries, delicatessens, restaurants, and pubs, as well as excellent day to day amenities including a church, doctors’ surgery and highly regarded primary and secondary schools, as well as a private preparatory option at Farleigh School (4.2 miles). The wider Test Valley is celebrated as one of the finest trout fishing destinations in England, thanks to its clear chalk streams and unspoilt landscape.

The area is exceptionally well connected. The cathedral cities of Winchester and Salisbury, along with Romsey and Andover, are all within easy reach. There are regular train services to London Waterloo from Winchester, Grateley, Andover and Micheldever (the latter offering jour ney times of around an hour). The A303, approximately five to six miles away, provides swift access to the West Country, London via the M3, and the A34 for routes to the north and the south coast.

Square Footage: 1,792 sq ft



Additional Info

Mains electricity. Private water (Leckford Estate). Private drainage (sewage treatment plant). Air source heat pump.
Council Tax Band G
Freehold