Watchbury House 10 High Street Barford Warwickshire CV35 8BU
WATCHBURY HOUSE An amazing Grade II listed, architectural gold mine, this substantial period house of over 4000 ft. sq. is located on the High Street in the lovely village of Barford, voted one of the 10 best places to live in the UK. With records of the property dating back to the 16th Century with 19th century additions it has both internal and external features that make it such a substantial property. Add to that the social history of the house from the people linked to it, then Watchbury House is a truly special place to live in. A substantial, private enclosed garden adds to the appeal of this village house which also benefits from having a double garage and in all it provides for a fantastic family home with a wow factor.
The main reception room has many exceptional features which includes the fireplace with its intricate wood carvings. It is such welcoming and charming room and one in which to enjoy Sunday papers tucked up in front of a roaring fire.
From an arched entrance porch you enter a splendid reception hall with stained glass windows, church pew and feature log burner. A double door leads to an inner hall with staircase to upper floors and to reception rooms. In summary the house provides for a kitchen, utility, shower room / W.C., a spacious drawing room / library and a grand sitting room with four large double bedrooms, the master having a dressing room and ensuite bathroom. There is a family shower room serving the other bedrooms. Ground Floor An arched porch with wood carvings in Elizabethan style but is thought to have been added in the 19th century leads you into a grand hall with tiled flooring and stain glass windows.
Part glazed double doors lead into the main house. A large inner hall is currently is used as a study area and a door leads into the sitting room with double aspect windows to the garden, Victorian features, high ornate ceiling, skirting boards and a wood carved feature fire surround with log burner inset. The drawing room / library is off a further hall with parquet flooring. This room has carved book cases, a baronial carved fireplace and a carved door dated 1683. The kitchen has a range cooker, dishwasher and there is an American fridge / freezer. The utility room leads into a shower / W.C. room. There are French doors to an enclosed delightful inner courtyard and a further door gives access down to one of the two cellars. At the rear of the property a door leads out to a porch and into the rear garden. A stunning, wide staircase leads to the upper floors.
Seller Insight Barford is renowned as being one of the most desirable villages in the county in which to reside and here, in its centre, is this impressive family home. The house is an architectural masterpiece, containing an abundance of character and interest. Visually stunning, with parts of the house being constructed in the 1600 s it was significantly and sympathetically extended in the 1800 s. Some years ago the large property was divided into three individual, totally private, domestic properties and this special home has been in the same ownership for over twenty years. The village has a strong sense of community and contains a wealth of excellent amenities. There is a village run shop, two popular pubs and the local hotel has a leisure club with the added benefit of a large swimming pool. King George Field, an outdoor leisure park with tennis, bowling, adult gym equipment and a fantastic laid out children s play area is a superb facility for the village.the primary school is very popular, and the village is in the catchment area for grammar schools. Warwick is only five minutes away and access to both road and rail networks are outstanding. The house has been immaculately maintained throughout its history and is both fascinating and practical. Crossing the threshold into the large hall is quite breathtaking; beautiful stained glass windows, original Tudor floor, fascinating wooden carvings, all certainly offering a wow factor. This is a theme which follows from room to room; each one with having a distinct personality but each full of charm and interest. It is a fabulous family home and also one in which it is a joy to share with family and friends, whatever the occasion. The library is quite special. Being pretty much soundproof, it is a room in which the younger family members, along with their friends, enjoyed playing their loud music, whilst in the main reception room forty guests have been seated for dinner. Outside there is compact Italianate courtyard and a large garden. Mainly laid to lawn and bordered with herbaceous plants and shrubs. It is quiet and tranquil and a special space in which to enjoy balmy summer days. The owners state that have always felt totally secure and safe in this large house and also feel they have been keepers in time living in such a magical home. They shall miss it very much and will take away just so many happy memories of their time spent here.*
First Floor The Master Suite with a marble fireplace comprises of a bedroom, small dressing area and large bathroom with shower, bath, wash basin, bidet and W.C. This bedroom enjoys lovely views over the rear garden. There are a further three large double bedrooms and a family shower room. There is also a servant s staircase leading back to the side of the kitchen. Two bedrooms overlook the rear garden, one the high street with the other overlooking the inner courtyard. They all have plenty of cupboard / robe space.
Outside A door with a stained glass window above leads from the rear hall way out to a large enclosed garden and access to the double garage. The private garden offers a peaceful setting and is well stocked with established shrubs and trees. There is a brick built summer house / bike shed towards the rear of the garden. The garden backs onto country side. There is a patio area and a walled pathway leads to the double garage which still has an original baker s oven in it from when it was the bakery for the Watchbury Estate.
LOCATION On the high street of Barford, a pretty Warwickshire village just four miles from the county town of Warwick. Watchbury House is convenient for all village amenities with a short walk to the Glebe Hotel, St Peters Church and the King Georges Field with its extensive recreational facilities. It s a stroll to the two public houses / restaurants and the well stocked, award winning village shop and post office and to the village primary school of St Peters and Beehive Nursery. Nearby Warwick has plenty of facilities, restaurants, shops and great schools. Warwick Parkway provides for good, fast train links direct to London Marylebone. The region is served by Birmingham International Airport and there is a good easily accessed motorway network, including M40, M42, M1 and M6. Positioned in the heart of England the county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare. There are no cities in Warwickshire since both Coventry and Birmingham were incorporated into the West Midlands County in 1974 and are now metropolitan authorities in themselves. Warwickshire hosts several key towns including Leamington Spa Warwick, Stratford upon Avon, Kenilworth, Henley In Arden and Rugby to name a few. The northern tip of the county is only three miles from the Derbyshire border. An average-sized English county covering an area of almost 2,000 km2, it runs some 60 miles north to south. Equivalently it extends as far north as Shrewsbury in Shropshire and as far south as Banbury in north Oxfordshire.
Services Mains Gas Mains Electricity Telephone and Internet Mains drainage system. Mains water system. Local Authority Warwickshire District Council Viewing Arrangements Strictly via the vendors sole agents Fine & Country on 01789 332600 Website http://www.fineandcountry.com/uk/stratford-upon-avon Opening Hours Monday to Friday Saturday 9.00 am - 5.30 pm 9.00 am - 4.30 pm Directions From our offices at the bottom of The Parade in Leamington Spa take directions for the A452 / M42, passing the Shires Retail Park on your left and continue on the A452 to a roundabout take the A425 for Barford and after 0.8 miles turn left to Barford into the village onto the High Street. Watchbury House is number 10 and is found on your left. Registered in England and Wales. Company Reg. No. 08775854, VAT Reg No 178445472 Head Office Address: 1 Regent Street, Rugby, CV21 2PE copyright 2017 Fine & Country Ltd.
Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in metric with imperial equivalents and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. * These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent. Printed 20.02.2017
FINE & COUNTRY Fine & Country is a global network of estate agencies specialising in the marketing, sale and rental of luxury residential property. With offices in the UK, Australia, Egypt, France, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Namibia, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, The Channel Islands, UAE, USA and West Africa we combine the widespread exposure of the international marketplace with the local expertise and knowledge of carefully selected independent property professionals. Fine & Country appreciates the most exclusive properties require a more compelling, sophisticated and intelligent presentation - leading to a common, yet uniquely exercised and successful strategy emphasising the lifestyle qualities of the property. This unique approach to luxury homes marketing delivers high quality, intelligent and creative concepts for property promotion combined with the latest technology and marketing techniques. We understand moving home is one of the most important decisions you make; your home is both a financial and emotional investment. With Fine & Country you benefit from the local knowledge, experience, expertise and contacts of a well trained, educated and courteous team of professionals, working to make the sale or purchase of your property as stress free as possible. THE FINE & COUNTRY FOUNDATION The production of these particulars has generated a 10 donation to the Fine & Country Foundation, charity no. 1160989, striving to relieve homelessness. Visit fineandcountry.com/uk/foundation 6
Fine & Country Tel: +44 (0)1789 332 600 stratford@fineandcountry.com 5b Chapel Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6EP