Macey's Cottage, Ansty, Wiltshire

“A centuries-old cottage where contemporary elements have been seamlessly interwoven with the traditional”

Set along a quiet lane in Ansty, Wiltshire, Macey’s Cottage is a Grade II-listed thatched home dating back to around 1540. The cottage has been fully renovated, with its original features carefully restored, including timber beams and open fireplaces. The bends and bows of the thatched roof are echoed in an arresting, light-filled contemporary extension, topped with a colourful sedum roof. A stream runs along the rear boundary, lending a wonderful connection to the verdant landscape beyond.

Setting the Scene

The peaceful village of Ansty has a rich history, first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086. Macey’s Cottage was here during the English Civil War, when Roundhead soldiers are believed to have camped nearby before setting off on foot towards Old Wardour Castle which was held by the Cavaliers. Centuries later, the cottage remains quietly nestled in the same beautiful landscape, surrounded by the fields, woods and winding lanes that have changed remarkably little.

The story of the cottage continued into the early 20th century with a former resident, who in 1914, at only 18 years of age, left his home to serve in the Gallipoli campaign. Tragically, he never returned, the cottage takes its name from him.

Ansty is best recognised for its stone, thatched cottages, of which Macey’s Cottage is a prominent example. The façade’s contrast between old and new lends the home a distinctive presence, creating a remarkable dialogue between the centuries.

The Grand Tour

Entry is through a new porch that opens onto a hallway with metallic embossed ceiling panels, reflecting the light drawn in through the windows. A generous kitchen-dining-family room forms the heart of the home. The kitchen and dining space sit within the extension, and the sitting area within the original cottage.

The kitchen has been fitted with matte-black handleless cabinetry and is centred on a large hardwood kitchen island, with ample space for preparation and seating. Appliances are fully integrated, and there is plenty of room for a dining table. A playful detail is a hidden door built into the cabinetry, leading to a utility room and a separate hall. From here, two spacious bedrooms and a bathroom are accessed; one of the bedrooms has bi-fold doors overlooking the garden and stream. Underfloor heating runs throughout the ground floor, warming the house.

Narrow rooflights draw natural light into the space, while bi-fold doors on opposite sides open onto the front and rear gardens. Just beyond, the living area occupies the original house, with dark-painted surfaces and the same metallic embossed ceiling panels to reflect the daylight.

A doorway continues to a snug/sitting room within the original cottage, an intimate, characterful space, with exposed beams and an open fireplace with an impressive bressummer beam. An adjacent bedroom, currently set up as a study, has built-in storage and French casement doors with elegant stained-glass detailing, extending to the garden.

From the snug, a staircase rises to the first floor, where the principal bedroom has a designated dressing area with built-in storage, and a large, modern en suite shower room. A large landing can be used as an additional sleeping area or young child's bedroom.

The Great Outdoors

Carefully landscaped gardens wrap around the cottage, with mature trees and established planting. The rear garden follows the stream, creating a wonderfully idyllic setting for being immersed in the natural landscape, along with places to sit and read.

There is a large garage/studio, and a wood store and shed for storage.

Out and About

Ansty is a peaceful village tucked away in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, which boasts not only the Cranbourne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs National Landscape, but also the first landscape in the country to be designated an International Dark Skies Reserve (IDSR) and an Area of Special Scientific Interest. The area can be explored via an extensive network of quiet lanes, footpaths and bridleways.

Macey’s Cottage is well placed for everyday amenities. Local favourites include Ansty Farm Shop with its pick-your-own fruit farm and tearoom. The nearby village of Tisbury is a short drive away, with a selection of shops, cafes and pubs, and the cathedral city of Salisbury is around 30 minutes by car with a more extensive array of amenities.

Tisbury has a railway station, with services to London Waterloo in under 2 hours.

Council Tax Band: G