Ferndale Barns, Lower Swell, GL54

A Cotswold Home With Real Presence

Silverley House is a beautifully considered Grade II Listed home, believed to date from the mid-19th century, combining the character and craftsmanship of its period with a surprisingly generous, relaxed way of living.   Behind its traditional Cotswold stone exterior is a house with wonderfully proportioned rooms, vaulted ceilings, exposed timbers and a layout that feels far more individual than a conventional country cottage.

The home extends to around 2,077 sq ft, with a further 334 sq ft double garage, giving a total of 2,411 sq ft.  Three bedrooms are balanced by substantial living spaces downstairs, whilst the landscaped garden, private parking and useful outbuildings make this a home that works just as well practically as it does aesthetically.

 The Heart of the House

 The kitchen/breakfast room is one of Silverley House's defining spaces.  Measuring approximately 20'10" x 18'2", it has a wonderfully open feel, with a vaulted ceiling and exposed structural timbers bringing height and character into the space.

Painted cabinetry runs beneath the granite worktops, whilst an electric AGA sits naturally within the scheme.  The owners had the kitchen repainted in 2021, giving it a smart, understated finish that works beautifully with the warmth of the timber flooring and original beams.

 Made For Gatherings

 Alongside the kitchen is the impressive dining hall, at approximately 21'0" x 20'5".  Rather than feeling like a formal dining room used only occasionally, this is an important part of the everyday flow of the house, connecting the kitchen, entrance and principal sitting room.

Its scale gives plenty of scope for a substantial dining table, artwork and furniture without ever feeling crowded, whilst the exposed structure and subtle changes in level give the space a lovely sense of depth.

From here, the house opens into the sitting room, another extremely generous space measuring approximately 22'7" x 21'7".

 A Sitting Room To Settle Into

 The sitting room has a relaxing atmosphere.  It is warm, comfortable and characterful, with exposed beams, stone flooring and a contemporary wood burner creating an inviting focal point.  Underfloor heating adds another cosy layer of comfort.

Bespoke fitted cabinets provide excellent storage without overwhelming the room, whilst the generous proportions allow distinct areas for sofas and relaxation.  Crittall-style glazed doors, introduced by the current owners as part of their improvements, add a crisp modern contrast to the older fabric of the house.

It is a room that feels particularly good in winter, but its generous windows and connection through the rest of the house mean it never feels heavy or overly formal.

 And So to Bed

 Upstairs, the bedrooms continue the character of the ground floor.

The principal bedroom is approximately 13'3" x 12'10", with built-in wardrobes and a calm, understated finish.  Bedroom two measures approximately 12'1" x 8'4" and also benefits from fitted cupboards.

Bedroom three sits within a particularly charming part of the house.  Measuring approximately 14'6" x 11'1", it is framed by exposed timbers and has its own en-suite shower room.  The room feels tucked away and private, making it ideal as a guest suite as much as an everyday bedroom.

There is a family bathroom serving the other bedrooms, beautifully finished with considered fittings.  The bathrooms have both been renewed in recent years, including Neptune-style rainfall showers, Mandarin Stone tiling and an Albion luxury slipper bath.

 Carefully Updated

 One of the strengths of Silverley House is that its character has not come at the expense of comfort.

The current owners have undertaken a thoughtful programme of improvements including two new bathrooms, a new downstairs cloakroom, full redecoration, replacement radiators, new Crittall-style glazed doors, additional fitted storage, upgraded utility cabinets and extensive garden landscaping.

The oil-fired boiler was replaced in September 2025, whilst the roof was refurbished in 2006.

The result is a house that still feels completely at home within its historic setting, but has been made considerably easier to live in.

 A Garden With Its Own Personality

 Outside, the garden is private, established and beautifully put together.

Approximately 40 metres by 20 metres, it has been carefully landscaped to create a series of attractive areas rather than one large open space.  A central lawn is framed by deep, mature borders filled with layered planting, whilst established trees and hedging create a wonderful sense of privacy.

There are places to sit in the sun and enjoy that essential G & T after work, quieter corners among the planting as well as a charming summerhouse tucked into the garden.  The overall effect is polished without feeling overly manicured; it is a garden that feels mature, colourful and very much part of the house.

Dry-stone walling to two boundaries reinforces the Cotswold character, whilst a timber boundary sits to the remaining side.

 Garage, Parking & Practicality

 Outside Silverley House is eminently practical.

There is private parking together with a substantial double garage measuring approximately 18'11" x 17'7", with additional storage above.  A separate summerhouse, oil store and bin store further enhance the outside space.

The house is approached via a shared driveway, managed through a residents' management company of which each resident is a member.

Inside, the utility room neatly houses much of the practical side of the house, including the boiler, consumer unit and stopcock.  There is mains drainage, mains electricity and oil-fired central heating.

For anyone working from home the high-speed fibre-optic internet connection is provided by Gigaclear running directly to the house with extremely reliable service.

 Life Beyond The Front Door

 Silverley House enjoys one of those Cotswold settings that gives you access to countryside almost on your doorstep.  The Heart of England Way can be accessed from the front door, opening up miles of walking without needing to get into the car.

When a lunch table, rather than a walking route is called for, the current owners particularly recommend The Old Butchers in Stow-on-the-Wold, bringing one of the area's best-loved market towns within easy reach.

It is this balance that makes Silverley House so appealing: a proper Cotswold home with history and individuality, yet one that has been adapted carefully for modern life.  There is space to entertain, space to retreat, a beautiful garden to enjoy and countryside waiting beyond the door.

Silverley House feels established rather than staged - characterful, comfortable and quietly luxurious, with the sort of rooms that make you want to stay in them.