Scowles, Coleford

Nestled within approximately 1.3 acres of enchanting gardens and private woodland, The Laurels enjoys a peaceful semi-rural setting in the sought-after hamlet of The Scowles. Tucked away on the edge of the historic Forest of Dean and the beautiful Wye Valley, the property offers complete privacy whilst remaining within walking distance of Coleford town centre and a short drive from the popular market town of Monmouth. Originally dating back to the 17th century, this charming country home has been thoughtfully extended to create spacious and versatile family accommodation. The property benefits from excellent insulation and energy-efficient solar panels, combining character with modern practicality. The accommodation includes a generous open-plan kitchen/living space ideal for entertaining, a cosy sitting room, and five well-proportioned bedrooms. The impressive principal suite features a wraparound balcony enjoying stunning far-reaching views towards the Welsh mountains. Outside, the property continues to impress with a detached double garage offering potential for conversion into an annex (subject to the necessary consents), along with two substantial corrugated outbuildings providing excellent storage or workshop space.

The vibrant market town of Coleford has a variety of facilities, including a cinema, post office, library, a range of shops, three supermarkets, as well as pubs and restaurants. The town also boasts excellent educational options with both primary and secondary schools, along with two golf courses.

The property is entered via a welcoming hallway which provides access to the principal ground floor rooms and creates an immediate sense of space. Immediately to the left of the entrance hallway is a convenient ground floor WC, finished with colourful tiled splashbacks and a frosted window which brings in natural light while maintaining privacy. This practical addition is ideally positioned for guests and everyday family use.

Beyond the hallway, the home opens beautifully into an impressive open-plan kitchen and living space, creating a striking heart of the home designed for both entertaining and relaxed everyday living. The room is flooded with natural light through an extensive wall of glazing and doors overlooking the garden, giving the space a bright and airy feel. The kitchen itself combines rustic charm with practical family functionality, featuring exposed stonework, colourful tiled splashbacks and a substantial range-style cooker recessed within an attractive inglenook-style surround. A central island provides additional preparation space and casual seating potential, while bespoke cabinetry and generous work surfaces offer ample storage throughout. The scale of the room easily accommodates multiple zones for cooking, dining and relaxing, with space for larger furniture arrangements as well as recreational features such as the pool table shown. At the far end of the room, the living area enjoys panoramic garden views and offers ample space for oversized sofas, making it an inviting setting for social gatherings or quieter evenings with family and friends. French doors open directly onto the garden, enhancing the lifestyle appeal of the space during the warmer months.

A hallway leading from the kitchen provides access to the more formal reception rooms, creating a natural separation between the open-plan family space and quieter areas of the home.

The separate living room is full of character and warmth, with exposed stonework and dark timber ceiling beams creating a charming focal point throughout the space. A feature fireplace housing a log burner adds to the cosy atmosphere, making the room particularly inviting during the colder months. Generous windows draw in plenty of natural light while framing views of the surrounding greenery, and the proportions comfortably accommodate a variety of seating layouts for both everyday family living and entertaining.

Flowing through from the living room, the dining area continues the characterful styling with exposed beams overhead and a bright, airy feel. The room easily accommodates a large dining table, making it ideal for formal dinners and family gatherings alike, while French doors open directly outside to enhance the connection with the garden and outdoor entertaining areas.

Stairs rise from the central hallway to the first floor, where five bedrooms are arranged around the landing.

The principal bedroom is an impressive and beautifully styled retreat, enhanced by vaulted ceilings and exposed beams which add character and a sense of space. A wide horizontal window allows natural light to pour across the room while framing leafy views outside, creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere. The generous proportions easily accommodate a king-size bed alongside additional bedroom furniture, while the rich wooden flooring and contemporary finishes give the room a luxurious feel. A freestanding copper bath and vanity sink have been thoughtfully incorporated into the space, adding a boutique hotel feel to the room, while a walk-in wardrobe provides excellent storage and dressing space to complete this superb principal suite.

Bedroom two is a bright and comfortable double room, thoughtfully arranged to maximise both space and functionality. A large window draws in plenty of natural light while offering pleasant leafy views, enhancing the calm and airy feel of the room. The proportions comfortably accommodate a double bed alongside additional freestanding furniture, while the alcove space is ideal for a desk or dressing area, making the room equally suited for older children, guests, or home working if required.

The third bedroom is another well-proportioned double room filled with personality and character. A large window allows natural light to brighten the space, while the generous layout comfortably accommodates a double bed alongside desks, storage and additional furniture. Exposed stone detailing adds texture and individuality to the room, creating a versatile space that would work equally well as a teenager’s bedroom, guest room or creative workspace.

Bedroom four is a charming and versatile room featuring exposed ceiling beams which add warmth and character to the space. A large window draws in natural light and provides pleasant green outlooks, while the proportions allow flexibility for use as a bedroom, nursery, dressing room or home office depending on individual needs.

The fifth bedroom is another comfortable and characterful room, enhanced by exposed stonework and painted wooden flooring which create a bright yet cosy atmosphere. The room comfortably accommodates a bed alongside additional furniture, while the window allows plenty of natural light to flow through the space, making it ideal for children, guests or home working.

The first bathroom is beautifully styled with a freestanding clawfoot bath creating an elegant focal point within the room. A separate walk-in shower enclosure adds practicality for busy family life, while the combination of contemporary tiling and traditional-style panelling gives the space a relaxed boutique feel. The generous proportions allow the room to feel bright and airy, creating an ideal space to unwind and relax.

The second bathroom continues the home’s characterful styling and features another elegant freestanding clawfoot bath, creating a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. A window allows natural light to brighten the room, while traditional-style panelling and soft neutral tones enhance the calm feel of the space. The bathroom is fitted with a pedestal wash basin and WC, offering practical family convenience alongside timeless styling.
 
Outside - Outside, the property enjoys approximately 1.3 acres of level gardens and enchanting private woodland, accessed via phone-operated gates and a sweeping driveway leading to extensive parking. The grounds surround the house and are predominantly laid to lawn, complemented by mature trees, established hedging, a flagstone terrace, sheltered garden pavilion, and a raised balcony from the principal bedroom enjoying attractive views across the gardens and surrounding countryside. A standout feature is the covered courtyard entertaining area with flagstone flooring, built-in bar and wood-burning stove, creating the perfect year-round social and entertaining space. Beyond the formal gardens lies a magical woodland area, reminiscent of the nearby Puzzlewood, with winding pathways through beautiful forest scenery and fascinating iron ore eroded crevasses, providing a unique and peaceful setting to explore and enjoy the local wildlife. The property also benefits from extensive outbuildings including two substantial double-height corrugated buildings with concrete bases and power supply, ideal for storage, workshops or further recreational use. A large detached garage/workshop complex provides excellent versatility, currently arranged as garaging and gym space with additional cloakroom facilities and loft storage. Offering fantastic potential for conversion into an annex, holiday let or home office suite, subject to the necessary planning permissions, the outbuilding further enhances the flexibility of this impressive home.