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Wonderfully positioned country house in the heart of the Stour Valley.
Exceptionally secluded and yet conveniently positioned, Godfreys is reached by a long private driveway (shared with only one other house and the local farmer). The house which is not listed is believed to have been constructed in the mid 1600s and is built predominantly from timber frame with rendered elevations and composite cladding under pitched peg tiled roofs and an aluminum roof. The current owners have completely refurbished and extended the property to a very high specification throughout having sympathetically modernised a historic home.
The house is now light and bright combining period character with a contemporary feel. Period features include an array of exposed beams and studwork, a fine Newell staircase, exposed red brick chimney breasts and open fireplaces fitted with wood burning stoves.
The ground floor accommodation comprises an entrance hall which gives access to two well proportioned reception rooms either side both benefitting from wood burning stoves. The sitting room is open plan leading through to the newly fitted bespoke kitchen/breakfast room which is a wonderful family space with two sets of bi-fold doors and a set of sliding doors leading out on to the terrace, deck and garden beyond with fabulous views over the garden and wooded valley. The vaulted kitchen affords underfloor heating, NEFF ovens, hidden extractor fan, induction hob and a hot water tap. The wooden base and wall mounted units have quartz worktops as does the large island, centrally placed within the room with extensive storage beneath. On the other side of the sitting room lies the door to the cellar, downstairs shower room, utility room and downstairs bedroom with free standing bath. The drawing room is also off the internal hallway and is a spacious light and airy room with bi-fold doors out on to the terrace and garden.
The first floor is reached via two staircases. The large vaulted principal bedroom has a wonderfully long balcony with stunning countryside views, fitted dressing room and en suite bathroom with separate shower and jacuzzi bath. There are two further double bedrooms and a shower room. The second floor provides a fifth bedroom and a useful store room.
Outside
The house is approached across a gravel driveway with a triple garage and double cart lodge with machinery store. The gardens and grounds are a particular feature of the house surrounding the property on all sides. There are some exceptional mature trees that drop down into the valley and a retaining wall has been built, a clever modern take on a historic haha, beyond which lies a lawned area leading down to a meandering brook at the bottom and one small lake and three ponds, which is a haven for wildlife. The formal gardens lie to the south of the house, which is bordered by a south facing wide stone terrace and a decked terrace, perfect for al fresco dining. A detached office has been built in the garden with wifi, electricity connected and an air conditioning unit. To the side of the office is a very productive apple orchard. The private woodland surrounds the property and provides a high level of privacy and seclusion. Included within the woodland area is a tree house and a number of sheds and a wood store. The garden and land extends to approximately seven acres.
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I was astonished at how effective the new kitchen/breakfast room was, so light and airy opening out on to the floating deck and surrounding terrace. The contemporary design juxtaposes cleverly with the character of the original house.
Peter OgilvieProperty agent