Florence Court, Wilton, SP2

There is much more space inside No. 6 Florence Court than its cottage-style exterior might suggest. Extending to approximately 1,163 sq ft, the house has two excellent reception rooms, three bedrooms and two bathrooms, together with a private courtyard garden. Its slightly unconventional shape is part of its appeal, creating an interesting layout with plenty of natural light and rooms that feel individual rather than uniform.

The current owners chose Florence Court when they were looking to downsize, drawn both by the amount of space the house offered and its position within easy walking distance of the centre of Wilton. Importantly, downsizing here doesn't mean having to give up the ability to entertain or have family and friends to stay - something the owners have particularly appreciated during their time here.

Step inside and the entrance hall immediately gives a sense of how well the accommodation is arranged. The staircase rises through the centre of the house, with a pretty V-shaped window bringing additional light into the stairwell. A ground-floor walk-in shower room and WC is a particularly useful feature, whether for visiting guests or for anyone thinking about practicality in later years.

The sitting room is a really good size, with plenty of room for comfortable sofas and additional furniture. Double doors open directly onto the courtyard garden, extending the room outside and making the garden easily accessible.

The dining room is also an excellent size, with room for a large table as well as a sofa or comfortable chairs. An archway connects directly with the kitchen, while double doors open onto the courtyard garden. The layout gives plenty of options for how the space is used - perhaps as a relaxed, everyday living and dining room, leaving the living room as a more formal reception space.

The kitchen is neatly arranged with granite worktops and a good range of fitted cabinetry. The appliances are all integrated, including a dishwasher, combined washing machine/tumble dryer, double oven and fridge freezer, keeping everything neatly contained and making good use of the available space.

Upstairs, the landing is noticeably light and bright, with the unusual shape of the house once again adding character to the space.

The main bedroom has plenty of room plus a large fitted wardrobe and a pleasant outlook which isn't overlooked. A private door leads directly into the bathroom, which can also be accessed from the landing, creating a practical Jack and Jill arrangement.

Bedroom two is another comfortable double, while the third bedroom is ideal as an occasional bedroom, study, hobby room or somewhere for grandchildren to stay.

Outside, the private courtyard garden is fully enclosed and easy to maintain. With direct access from both reception rooms and plenty of afternoon sun, it is a pleasant and private space for sitting outside. Mature and well maintained trees beyond the garden provide welcome shade and help prevent the house becoming too hot during warmer weather.

There is a freestanding garden shed and, unusually for this type of property, separate access into the garden – a very useful feature when bringing through garden furniture, plants or anything you would rather not carry through the house.

Florence Court

Florence Court is a small, gated development specifically designed for the over-55s, comprising just nine cottages and eight apartments arranged around an attractive landscaped communal courtyard. The cottages combine traditional styling with a layout designed to make day-to-day living comfortable and practical, while still providing enough space for entertaining and visiting family.

There is also an interesting local connection behind the name. Florence Court was named after Florence Nightingale, who was a lifelong friend of Sidney Herbert (the Earl of Pembroke). Herbert worked closely with Nightingale on the reform of military healthcare, giving the development's name a particularly fitting connection with Wilton's history.

The communal gardens are maintained as part of the development and include peaceful seating areas for residents to enjoy without the responsibility of looking after them. There is an on-site caretaker and a secluded parking area with allocated parking beneath a barn-style car port, as well as parking for visitors.

Another interesting aspect of Florence Court is that the residents own the management company and collectively have a say in how the development is run. The service charge contributes towards the upkeep of the communal areas, management costs and the on-site caretaker.

Living in Wilton

One of the real advantages of No. 6 is how easy it is to leave the car at home. Florence Court sits close to the heart of historic Wilton, the ancient capital of Wessex, with the Market Square and most everyday amenities within around a ten-minute walk.

There are various cafes and restaurants in Wilton along with a excellent bakery, hardware shop, chemist, hairdressers, gift shop, florist, 3 pubs, a Co-op, a doctors' surgery and dental practice. The weekly Thursday market brings local produce into the Market Square.

For anyone who enjoys walking, it doesn't take long to exchange the town for open countryside and there are plenty of lovely walks in Grovely Woods, with further walking and cycling routes easily accessible from Wilton.

Salisbury is approximately three miles away, with regular buses providing an easy alternative to driving. From Salisbury there is a wider choice of shops, restaurants and cultural attractions, as well as direct rail services to London Waterloo and the West Country.

No. 6 was purchased from new by the current owners in 2009.  It provided them with exactly what they were looking for at the time - a comfortable home that allowed them to downsize while retaining good-sized rooms, space for guests and the independence of living close to town.

With an EPC rating of B and no onward chain, it offers an interesting alternative for anyone looking to make life a little easier without moving somewhere that feels small or restrictive.