BlockleyMoreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 9BW

DESCRIPTION
Architecturally imposing, Porch House sits magnificently in an elevated position with spectacular views over the church spire and village below. Dating to circa 1535, this building started life as a medieval hall house. The house is a sensitive and skilful fusion of ancient architecture and contemporary interior design. Infinite and meticulous attention to detail is evident in both design and execution and is proof of the symbiosis between the contemporary and traditional. Unusually, with such ancient origins, the house is flooded with natural light. During their 27-year tenure, extensive renovation work has been undertaken by the present owners. The result is a beautiful home that exudes warmth and welcome, well equipped for 21st century family living. Elegant fielded panelled walls, bolection moulded fireplaces, light mullioned windows with shutters and window seats all feature. Oak cross beamed ceilings, beautifully aged wood and stone flagged floors and huge oak braced beams to the attic rooms, all add to the rich tapestry of this house. ‘Witch marks' on the fireplace beams, and floor in the morning room, have little to do with witches or witchcraft. It was believed these marks turned away evil and protected both the house and those within it. Approaching the house, stone steps rise to two fine gate piers and wrought iron gates opening to the delightful front garden. The front door, with its moulded stone surround opens to a cross passage entrance hall and leads straight on to a wide, ancient door opening directly to the garden. The huge stone flags, marking the test of time, and with stories to tell, follow round into the stunning dining room. A vast oak beam spans the fireplace, possibly repurposed from ships navigating the Severn Estuary. A Chesneys stove sits within, and two stone mullioned windows with window seats beneath, overlook the wonderful southerly views. The morning room, to the right of the hall, enjoys the same views. This beautiful room with its fielded panelled walls has a bolection carved stone fireplace.

Tucked away beyond is a good sized study. From the dining room, steps rise to the striking kitchen/breakfast room, open to the eaves with a bespoke garden extension. Full height, double glazed windows and doors to three sides, open to a large terrace, making for effortless inside/outside entertaining space. Bespoke shaker style cabinetry spans three walls, with library rails, allowing access to the higher, partly glazed storage. Carrara marble worktops extend to the large island with breakfast bar to two sides.

The drawing room, with two doors opening from the dining room, and on to the kitchen and entrance hall, creates space to entertain on a large scale and affords a pleasing flow to the ground floor. This triple aspect room spans the depth of the house, with views over the church and beyond to the front and exquisite garden to the rear. The cross beamed ceiling and huge inglenook fireplace with another Chesneys stove make this an atmospheric room. From here, steps rise to a cosy snug, presently used as a second study. Just beyond, a lockable door accesses the cottage. The utility room lies just beyond the inner hall, with a stone staircase descending to the large, dry cellar/ plant room.

The main oak staircase, probably the original, rises from the inner hall, off the entrance hall. A cloakroom is situated just off the quarter turn before winding to the first floor. The principal bedroom windows look out over the views with window seats below and cupboards to two walls. The dressing room has cabinetry to three walls and a dressing table. The shower room beyond features a bespoke vanity unit below a stone top fitted with dual basins. There are three further bedrooms on the first floor (one with an en suite shower room and two with stone fireplaces), and a family shower room. A door from the smaller bedroom also accesses the cottage. A spiral staircase rises to a large family/cinema room with huge oak A frames and two further rooms, presently used for storage, but could further office or bedroom space. A continuation of the main staircase rises to two further bedrooms and a shower room.

OUTSIDE
The exquisite walled gardens sit within a carefully curated landscape with abundant, sequential planting for year round interest. The garden has been professionally planted and maintained by Dent McKinney, and opened annually for the National Garden Scheme for the past 20 years. Spring bulbs, followed by frothing herbaceous borders, followed by autumn colour and winter structure from statuesque yew pyramids and sweeping hedge lines. Grassy tiers rise up like an amphitheatre looking out over spectacular panoramic and far reaching views. Limestone terraces, dotted throughout, maximise the changing light and views at different times of the day. Designed to be enjoyed by friends and family in large numbers, the garden also features the fully equipped Potting Shed Kitchen with Artichoke burr walnut cabinetry, Gaggenau oven, Neff microwave, Neff fan oven, warming drawer, AEG electric hob, American style fridge freezer and dishwasher. Adjacent is a shower room. Further up the garden is a wooden garden room with glazed French doors to the terrace and a contemporary designed box parterre garden. Attached is a cloakroom. At the top of the garden are two sets of double wooden gates allowing for access. Also here is a large gardener's shed and compost yard. A double garage is situated at the end of the gravel drive. Two sets of wooden doors open from the drive and two roller shutters open at the back onto a further parking area. There is ample parking for eight cars.

COTTAGE
Accessed both from the house at ground floor and first floor levels, this cottage has its own front door onto the driveway. Beautifully presented, with high end fixtures and fittings, this presently provides a sitting room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. It is a useful prep kitchen when entertaining on a large scale. Should there be a need, bedrooms can be included from the main house with no disruption.

SITUATION
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, The Cotswolds are well known for their gentle rolling hillsides, river valleys, water meadows, beech woods, sleepy ancient limestone villages, and historic market towns. Blockley is no exception with its mellow, honey-hued stone architecture and ancient Norman church, situated midway between the picturesque market towns of Moreton-in- Marsh and Chipping Campden. Historically, Blockley was a centre for the silk industry in the 18th and 19th centuries, harnessing the water from Blockley Brook which flows through the centre of the village. There is a shop and artisan café with fine dining in the evening, two pubs, sports club, fitness gym, primary school and numerous societies in the village. Nearby Moreton-in-Marsh is well served with shops, supermarkets, doctor's and dentist surgeries and local hospital. The beautiful and highly regarded Lygon Arms in Broadway is just four miles away, Daylesford Organic Farm Shop and Bamford Club are 11 miles and Soho Farmhouse 19 miles. Nearby is a wide variety of farm shops for local meat, fish and vegetables. There are golf courses at Broadway, Naunton and Chipping Norton, racing at Cheltenham, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick. Stratford and Cheltenham present varied cultural opportunities to enjoy and Chipping Norton boasts a highly regarded, family run theatre. Situated on numerous national trails, there are many footpaths and bridleways to explore from the village. Transport links are good with a mainline train service from Moreton-in-Marsh to Paddington. The M40 and M5 provide links to the greater motorway network.

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