Pretty enough to grace any chocolate box, The Thatched Cottage has been totally revamped and nestles within Alderton, one of the most sought-after villages in this picturesque patch of Gloucestershire on the edge of the Cotswolds .
Resplendent in the half-timbered and thatched livery of its 16th-century origins, this is the quintessential family-sized country cottage full of charm and character that you’ve always imagined. It boasts nearly 2,500 sq ft of space and that includes a trio of delightful beamed reception rooms and a contemporary underfloor-heated kitchen with utility room updated just four years ago.
Upstairs, there’s a choice of four big double bedrooms including the principal suite with bathroom and wardrobe-lined dressing room.
The heritage of this fine Grade II Listed home shines through in the lovingly preserved and showcased period features while the task of equipping it with all the 21st-century accoutrements you could ever desire has been deftly accomplished over the past five years by the present owner. From the fully re-thatched roof complete with a perky ornamental owl to the new kitchen and bathrooms, it’s all beautifully presented, and there’s no onward chain.
Step into the garden to discover the large contemporary annex, recently built on the site of a double garage, that’s currently kitted out as a cinema room with cloakroom/WC on the 18x16ft ground floor along with a chic 12x19ft vaulted office above.
There is an outdoor heated swimming pool and purpose-built terrace with pool house, changing room and shower.
Add in an enviable location within a really friendly, dynamic village complete with shop/post office, primary school, pub, church and village hall, and you’ve hit the jackpot.
The driveway with parking space for plenty of cars lies to the side of the L-shaped house in front of and beyond a set of sturdy double gates. The front door is reached via a decorative wrought iron gate in the dry stone wall then across the garden terrace.
You’ll step first into the spacious entrance hall, an exquisite showcase of all the period facets that make this charming house so irresistible such as ancient timber pillars (now strengthened), beams criss-crossing ceilings and walls and an exposed stone backdrop to the staircase. Coats and shoes can be stored in the big understairs cupboard and the hardwood flooring , which extends into the snug and dining room, tones perfectly with the historic features.
The expansive 18x26ft sitting room which, with a profusion of windows, is filled with light during the daytime and becomes a cosy, calming refuge at nightfall, especially in the winter with a roaring fire lit in the huge stone inglenook fireplace. Whether it’s relaxing with a post-work G&T, reading a book, enjoying family time in front of the TV or entertaining guests, this super room combines heritage refinement with an appealing vivacity.
Another period fireplace, this time fitted with a (currently unused) woodburner, is the focal point of the 11x14ft snug and, across the hallway, the 13x16ft dining room caters for both everyday family meals or formal candlelit dinner parties in fine style. In warmer weather, a pair of French doors can be opened to create that desirable indoors-outdoors link that means guests can drift in one smooth move from aperitifs on the paved terrace to the dinner table.
Occupying a later extension to the cottage, the spacious 18x14ft kitchen was totally revamped just four years ago and is fitted with stylish white designer cabinetry under solid wood worktops. There is an integral fridge/freezer and dishwasher plus a large central island with breakfast bar. It also has French doors opening onto the garden and there’s a discreetly tucked-away cloakroom/WC and separate utility room with the plumbing for washing machine, dryer and so on.
Upstairs, four fabulous bedrooms lead off from the sweeping landing along with a recently updated family bathroom that’s an orchestrated merger of the vaulted beamed ceiling and walls with modern fittings.
The principal bedroom, 18x13ft, is a private self-contained haven. The new en-suite bathroom is a chic pastel assemblage of glass walk-in shower, sleek sanitary fittings and metro tiling, while the 10x9ft dressing room features lots of useful storage, including contemporary mirrored wardrobes, and could double up as a fifth bedroom if desired.
Three further double bedrooms are super-generously sized, ensuring no squabbling between children about who “gets the biggest”.
Immediately to the rear of the cottage is a wide split-level terrace that’s perfect for summertime relaxation and al fresco dining. It features a pretty ornamental well that’s illuminated at nightfall plus a fish pond, nestled within a copse of woodland and tropical planting.
A gate and gently inclined pathway leads to the chic newly converted annexe which has bifolds opening onto a decoratively paved and gravelled courtyard. Beyond this there’s a patio area with lots of space for a big barbecue, pizza oven or whatever you desire plus corner sofas and loungers, backing up the beautiful swimming pool terrace opposite – it’s a fantastic set-up for summertime fun and entertaining.
Then beyond that a five-bar gate opens into a generous grassed area with a stepping stone pathway leading to a group of raised timber planters and potting shed – for those with green fingers it’s the perfect spot for cultivating vegetables and flowers.
