The Grange, Chitterne

Description
The Grange is a handsome country house with a stunning Georgian façade believed to date from the early 1800’s forming the principal wing, with the rear section likely to be considerably older. The current owners have reinstated an elegant new Georgian style entrance porch, limewashed the eastern wall, replaced sash windows, drainage and guttering where required. Overall, the property has been sympathetically restored with a great deal of work undertaken and it now presents well. The house is Listed Grade II as being of Special Architectural & Historic Importance.

The Regency wing of the house has the well-proportioned rooms with good ceiling heights as one would associate with the period; the older wing having a more rustic, cosier feel with beamed ceilings and traditional features. The accommodation is arranged over three floors centered around an impressive vaulted staircase hall, leading to a large drawing room with period features including cornicing, wooden shuttered French windows with a southerly outlook over the garden, ornate marble fireplace and wooden parquet flooring. Both the study and sitting room have wood burning stoves in their fireplaces, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The kitchen/breakfast room has been fitted with a new Smeg oven / microwave, additional cupboards and a handmade wildlife mosaic mural above the 2 oven oil fired Aga. In addition, there is a boot / utility room, garden room that is currently being used as an artist’s studio and 2 WC’s. On the first floor there are 4 bedrooms including a master bedroom with a well-appointed en-suite bathroom and adjoining walk in shower. Bedroom 2 has an en-suite bathroom. There is also a family shower room on this floor, whilst on the top floor has 2 further attic bedrooms.

Outside
The Grange is set in charming largely walled grounds of about 1.17 acres. The house is approached through attractive stone piers with finials and wrought iron gates over a sweeping gravel drive to a turning / parking area. The drive continues around to the north of the house, passing the garage and a further set of wrought iron gates opens back onto the lane. The house is clad with pretty wisteria and climbing roses and the main entrance area beside the portico has recently been planted with lavender.

Lawns stretch away to the south from a flagstone terrace with a variety of borders and shrubs. To the east of the drive is the paddock which is currently divided by a central fence. There is a large tree house and adjoining timber store as well as a field shelter and several apple trees. The cobb wall which forms 3 sides of the paddock has been fully restored; whilst in the eastern corner is a gate leading onto Back Lane. Within the grounds are numerous mature beech & chestnut as well as walnut, willow and yew.

Situation
Chitterne is a small rural community situated amidst the gently rolling chalk downland on the southwestern edge of Salisbury Plain where it meets the lovely countryside of the Wylye Valley. The village has an active village hall, church, playground and cricket club whilst the nearby larger villages of Codford, Heytesbury and Shrewton have between them good everyday amenities including a choice of shops, post offices, primary schools, petrol stations, doctors’ surgeries and vets. The market town of Warminster is about 8 miles away and has supermarkets, shops, health and leisure facilities as well as a railway station with services to London, Bristol and Southampton whilst the station at Westbury has direct rail service to London (Paddington).

The village is in a lovely but not isolated setting and is well placed for the A36 which gives convenient access to Salisbury or Bath whilst the A360 links to Devizes and Chippenham. The nearby A303 serves London, the West Country and the motorway network. Chitterne is an excellent base for several highly respected schools in both the state and private sectors including amongst many others; Dauntseys, Warminster School and Salisbury’s grammar and independent schools.

Chitterne is surrounded by lovely open stretches of undulating countryside ideal for a variety of rural pursuits including walking, riding, field sports and cycling. Racing is at Salisbury, Bath and Wincanton, sailing at Shearwater, rugby union at Bath with golf at Erlestoke, Tollard Royal, Warminster and Salisbury. There are several famous visitor attractions in the area such as Stourhead Gardens, Longleat Safari Park, Wilton House and Stonehenge.

Tenure: Freehold

Council Tax: Band G