West Meon, Petersfield, Hampshire GU32

Hatch Cottage is believed to date back to 1457 and boasts a wealth of original features and interesting history.

Through the old stable door you are welcomed by original brick flooring and exposed brickwork and timber.

The spacious triple aspect living room features an inglenook fireplace with woodburner, a raised 'minstrel gallery' and beautifully beamed walls and ceiling. There are wooden window shutters to this room and throughout the house.

The impressive dining room houses a large inglenook fireplace with original features. Glazed French doors lead onto a patio which catches the morning sun.

The large kitchen includes a Rayburn cooker and separate electric cooker. The room is light and spacious and a glazed door opens to the garden. There are plenty of cupboards and storage space and the room features a double-height ceiling to one side.

A staircase leads down to the cellar, providing useful additional storage.

The cloakroom completes the ground floor.

On the first floor, exposed timber floors lead onto all 3 double bedrooms. The principal bedroom includes some delightful period features and opens onto an en-suite bathroom with walk-in wardrobe. The remaining bedrooms both have built-in storage, period features and lovely views over the back garden and trees beyond. So too does the well-appointed family bathroom.

From the landing a staircase leads to the extensive second floor attic rooms. This offers an excellent opportunity to convert into a bedroom suite, playroom or home office (STPP).

Outside, the mature, pretty and well-maintained gardens extend to 3 sides of the house. To the front, a large gravel driveway offers parking for several cars. The gardens are private and secluded and are not overlooked. A feature of the back garden is a lovely stream. A bridge leads to a seating area which catches the last of the evening sun. These delightful gardens have been featured on both Gardeners World and Countryfile.

Hatch Cottage sits in a conservation area in the picturesque and sought-after village of West Meon. Within walking distance is the doctors surgery, the Thomas Lord public house, the village shop, cafe, a butchers, nursery and primary school, recreation ground and tennis courts.

Selected by The Times newspaper in 2013 as 'Britain's best village to live', West Meon lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the South Downs National Park. There are extensive footpaths and trails leading from the village.

Petersfield and Winchester offer a wide range of shopping and recreational facilities, as well as mainline train stations, with services to London Waterloo.

West Meon CE (VC) Primary School and The Petersfield School are local catchment area schools. Excellent independent schools in the area include Beadles, Churcher's, Ditcham Park, Twyford, Highfield School and Boundary Oak School. (Times and distances are approximate).