With its elegant symmetrical façade of mellow stone coupled with an abundance of historic charm, The Old Rectory is a striking example of the Queen Anne architectural style dating from the 18th century.
This fine Grade II Listed six-bedroom country house merges old and new in perfect harmony and is desirably located within 14 acres of glorious gardens and meadows at Upper Pendock, midway between Ledbury and Tewkesbury in rural Worcestershire.
It’s easy to see why it’s been in the same ownership for more than 40 years – with 4,632 sq ft of beautifully maintained and ultra-flexible space enjoying breathtaking views of the Malvern Hills, it’s a slice of paradise that over the years has played host to all manner of festivities from wonderful parties and big family Christmases to idyllic weddings.
Splendid in every way, The Old Rectory boasts a number of desirable extras including a residential flat above a garage with extensive storage plus a timber stable block. In tandem with acres of grazing land, it’s also the perfect equestrian base.
The house is peacefully positioned, yet not isolated, being within a short drive of both the M50, M5 and mainline railway stations at Malvern and Ledbury. A couple of miles down the road in Lower Pendock there’s a primary school, while the thriving towns of Malvern, Ledbury and Tewkesbury are all within a swift drive.
Radiating out from a handsome reception hall, The Old Rectory boasts a range of elegant reception rooms, the finest of which is the garden room– added 20 years ago to make the most of the scenic views, it has a showstopping open fireplace that keeps everyone toasty warm when it turns chilly.
A dream home in the country
The Old Rectory is approached via a long drive flanked by lawns and dotted with graceful mature trees, passing the attractive black-and-white timbered garage/storage block and stables.
You can’t fail to be impressed by your first glimpse of this beautiful building with its handsome pillared portico front door and elegantly uncluttered exterior stone wall featuring one statement double-height arched window and chimney breast. Walk round to the right to enjoy the symmetry of the main double-fronted façade with another fine door and sash windows across three floors.
Step first into the expansive, light-filled reception hall - a vision of heritage charm with its high ceiling, arched doorways and elegant staircase. There’s also the door and stairs down to the 17x21ft cellar – it provides perfect conditions for a wine collection.
The Old Rectory has oil-fired central heating, underfloor heating in the garden room and no less than six open working fireplaces dotted round the house to keep everything extra warm and snug in the winter. Leading off to the right of the reception hall, they are the focal points of both the 14x15ft study and the refined triple-aspect 18x21ft drawing room which has French doors to the garden terrace – a handy link for summertime entertaining.
Alongside this is the 15x21ft dining room, perfect for family Sunday lunches or candlelit dinner parties. It has a heritage arched alcove with shelving and cupboards.
The western wing of the house encompasses a 13x23ft country-style kitchen/breakfast room fitted with a comprehensive array of cabinetry under black granite worktops. There’s a Belfast sink under the window, four-oven AGA stove and a sought-after walk-in pantry.
Adjoining this is a cloakroom with shower cubicle and WC and next to that a country essential - a boot/utility room.
At the other end of the kitchen, double doors open into the dazzling purpose-built 31x17ft garden room. Quadruple deep oak-framed windows and two sets of glazed French doors create a light and airy link with the surrounding landscape and it’s sure to be a winner for family gatherings or as a glamorous backdrop for entertaining guests, cosily seated in front of the magnificent stone fireplace.
And so to bed . . .
Alongside beds as big as you like, there’s lots of personal space available in each of the five double bedrooms. The sixth is a single and currently used as a dressing room.
Three of the doubles – two of them with en-suite bathrooms - are on the first floor and benefit from plenty of natural light, thanks to the beautiful heritage sash windows. There’s also a family shower room.
A further pair of generously proportioned bedrooms are located on the second floor. These vaulted rooms would be just the job for children, especially teenagers craving their own privacy and space to have their friends over. There’s a family bathroom too.
Acres of gardens and grounds
You’ll feel like the lord of the manor seated on the sunny paved terrace of The Old Rectory revelling in – thanks to the ha-ha – uninterrupted scenic views stretching to the gently undulating Malvern Hills.
The neatly mown lawns, shielded and dotted with a variety of beautiful mature trees and shrubs, sweep away in all directions and overlook the adjoining 12 acres of pasture – some of which is currently let to a local farmer for grazing sheep.
Extending to 2.5 acres, the gardens offer something for everyone and everybody. There’s scope to add and amend as pleased – perhaps cultivate flower borders, add play equipment for youngsters or create a vegetable garden.
Round and about
The settlements of Upper and Lower Pendock are separated by two miles and the village of Berrow, home to the popular local pub The Duke of York, a classic country hostelry selling fine ales and tasty pub grub. Another highly-rated pub, The Inn at Welland, is a short drive away and serves a refined British menu featuring produce from its own kitchen garden in the two AA-rosette restaurant. Or try the 16th-century Butchers Arms at Eldersfield for excellent ales straight from the cask.
Miles of unspoilt countryside are the biggest appeal of this part of Worcestershire – walking, cycling, horse-riding and a variety of other country pursuits are on the doorstep.
Both the Rivers Avon and Severn offer water-based activity, often with a pub or cafe nearby for sustenance. The National Trust’s historic Croome Court has both the stunning house and grounds open to the public while the Three Counties Showground at Malvern always has something going on, from agricultural shows to food festivals. The Malvern Spa Hotel is a luxury spot for a little pampering.
Lower Pendock is the home to the local primary school, Pendock CE. Secondary schools are within a 15-minute drive – Hanley Castle High School and Tewkesbury Academy. There’s a good choice of private schooling too including nearby Bredon School, Malvern College, The Downs and The Elms.
For buzzing high streets and a choice of branded and independent shops the lovely towns of Tewkesbury, Ledbury and Malvern ably hit the brief. Waitrose in Malvern or the Tesco superstore in Ledbury are among the supermarket options.
The local places of worship are the medieval church of St Faith with its unusual circular walled churchyard and the Church of the Redeemer, a unique little wooden church at the heart of Lower Pendock.
