Cranham, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL4

A beautifully conceived country house in a remarkable private valley setting close to Cranham, built by the current owners and set in 10.57 acres of ornamental grounds with trout lakes, a substantial barn and workshop range and a separate two-bedroom cottage.

Description

Brook Farm is a wonderfully individual country house, built by the current owners and completed in 2001, occupying an exceptional position in a private valley close to Cranham. Surrounded by its own ornamental grounds and with no near neighbours, it is a house that immediately feels established and deeply settled in its landscape. The setting is the real story here. There is a sense of peace and privacy that is increasingly hard to find, yet the property remains remarkably accessible for Cheltenham, Gloucester and the wider road network.

The house itself is striking and full of character, with subtle hints of a Scottish shooting lodge in its design and detailing. It has real presence without feeling overblown, and the interiors have warmth, atmosphere and a strong sense of craftsmanship. The reception hall makes an immediate impression, rising to a double height ceiling with a galleried landing above, and incorporating oak panelling, stained glass and decorative ceiling plasterwork.

The main reception rooms are beautifully balanced. The sitting room is an especially fine space, dual aspect in nature with stone mullion windows, a decorative plaster ceiling and a handsome Farmington stone fireplace with Clock logburner. The dining room is equally appealing, with exposed floorboards and its own handsome fireplace with an original Jotl logburner, creating a room that feels both elegant and welcoming. The conservatory provides an excellent link to the grounds, while the snooker room, with fitted cabinetry and bookshelves, adds another layer of versatility and character.

The kitchen sits comfortably at the heart of the house and works well alongside the surrounding reception space, giving the property a layout that is both practical and sociable. Altogether, the main house offers four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The principal bedroom suite is particularly impressive, enjoying stunning views to the south and west and benefitting from a walk-in wardrobe and en suite.

Beyond the house lies an extensive ancillary outbuilding range which adds greatly to the appeal of Brook Farm. This includes a substantial barn together with a rod room, office, cloakroom, double garage, workshop and extensive store, offering a broad range of ancillary and lifestyle options. In addition, there is a separate two-bedroom cottage, Lakeside Cottage, which enjoys its own sun deck overlooking the lakes.

The grounds extend to about 10.57 acres and are a particularly attractive feature of the property. Arranged more as ornamental grounds than formal farmland, they include sweeping lawns, mature planting, specimen trees, terraces and trout lakes, all combining to create a setting of unusual beauty and maturity.

Situation

Brook Farm enjoys a remarkable position close to the village of Cranham, between Cheltenham, Painswick and Gloucester, in a part of Gloucestershire that is particularly well regarded for its combination of countryside, accessibility and schooling. The property sits in a private valley setting with a wonderful sense of seclusion, yet is by no means remote, making it especially appealing for those seeking a country house with genuine privacy but good day-to-day convenience.

Cranham is an attractive village on the Cotswold escarpment with a strong community feel and a well-regarded primary school. The surrounding villages and hamlets are among the most appealing in this part of the county, with handsome countryside, a network of quiet lanes and excellent access to walking and riding country. The Black Horse in Cranham is a popular village pub, while The Butchers Arms at nearby Sheepscombe is one of the area’s best-known and most established destinations, as is The Woolpack at Slad, with its connections to the famous author Laurie Lee.

For everyday needs, both Painswick and Cheltenham are readily accessible. Painswick offers a very attractive selection of local shops, pubs, cafés and services, while Cheltenham provides a far broader range of shopping, cultural and recreational facilities. Cheltenham is well known for its festivals, restaurants, boutiques and Regency architecture, and remains one of the region’s principal centres for education and culture. Gloucester is also within convenient reach, offering extensive shopping and commercial amenities together with rail services and access to several highly regarded schools.

The area is particularly well placed for schooling, which is one of its major attractions. Locally there is the village primary school in Cranham, while in Gloucester there are well regarded options including Denmark Road, The King’s School Gloucester and The Crypt. In Cheltenham, there is access to Pate’s Grammar School, Cheltenham College, Dean Close and Cheltenham Ladies’ College, among others.

Communications are excellent. The M5 is readily accessible for routes north and south, while Gloucester and Cheltenham Spa stations provide rail services to several regional and national destinations.

Important Information

Services: Mains electricity, private water, septic tank drainage, oil fired central heating and Calor gas for cooking. Ultrafast broadband via Gigaclear.

EPC: Brook Farm is rated D. Lakeside Cottage is also rated D.

Directions via What3words: /// symphonic.divided.rail

Tenure: Freehold.

Local Authority: Stroud District Council.

Council Tax Band: Band G.

Viewing: Strictly by prior appointment with Jackson-Stops.