Location

Wigginton is a picturesque South Hertfordshire village close to the larger towns of Tring (approx. 2 miles), Berkhamsted (approx. 4 miles) and Chesham (approx. 6 miles). The village offers an idyllic lifestyle with its popular community shop and village park, C of E primary school, local pub and many miles of National Trust countryside and walks close by.

Amongst the area's excellent primary and secondary schools are Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and Berkhamsted School, a leading independent school offering co-ed and single sex schooling from pre-school to sixth form.

Mainline rail services are from Tring, Berkhamsted and Wendover with the Metropolitan Line at Chesham and Amersham.

Description

Nestled within the popular Chilterns village of Wigginton, this quintessentially English country home dates back to the Elizabethan era. Sensitive extensions and remodelling have created a property that epitomises everything so very special about idyllic Chilterns living.

The Orchard's construction dates the earliest parts of the house to the 16th century. A Georgian façade was added in the 18th century. More recent additions and alterations to the Grade II listed building have blended the benefits of modern living with traditional character and style. Original documents trace ownership back to the start of the 19th century. The house has fulfilled various purposes over the years, including being a tearoom for "escapees" from the rigours of Champneys Health Spa in the 1930's until the 1950's.

Outbuildings include a two-storey timber-framed barn, built in the early 2000's and providing a perfectly designed separate ancillary annexe or an additional entertaining space, party barn, gym or similar. Garaging is available alongside open bay parking with adjacent stabling and a temperature-controlled wine store.

The property is set within glorious gardens and grounds approaching two acres, combining both traditional formal country garden "rooms", expansive lawns and hidden walks through small copses.

The house has been sympathetically extended over time to provide 3,000sqft of well-proportioned, adaptable and beautifully presented family accommodation. It blends the best of modern and traditional family living and is supplemented by a further 976sqft in the barn.

The house's living accommodation is arranged over the ground floor. A centrally positioned entrance hall with cloakroom gives access to formal reception rooms including a lovely dual aspect bay fronted sitting room with an original feature brick inglenook style open fireplace. Located beside the sitting room is a study overlooking the formal gardens. Through a secondary hallway, providing ample storage, is a wonderful part vaulted, dual aspect family room with a cozy log burner and a feature square bay providing views into the garden.

Positioned on the other side of the house the dual aspect dining room offers pleasing views, an open fireplace and illuminated glazed cupboards. It opens into the kitchen forming a flexible kitchen and dining space. The kitchen has an abundance of natural light from a large roof light, having been recently extended. With a beautiful and contemporary design it is fitted with an extensive range of wall and base mounted units, new built-in appliances and a matching island with breakfast bar. Accessed from the kitchen is a utility/boot room with a clever part glazed partition. A new gas boiler and ground floor underfloor heating has been installed with upgraded radiator controls elsewhere.

On the first floor, the principal bedroom enjoys a walk-in wardrobe providing ample storage and an en suite bathroom. There are three further double bedrooms along with a large dressing room which could easily be utilised as a fifth bedroom if required. These additional rooms are served by two further bath/shower rooms (one en suite).

A real feature of this wonderful family home are the gardens and grounds which are accessible in every direction. The traditional country gardens are positioned next to the main house and are simply a joy. Lovingly created over many years, they are designed to provide all year interest, including displays of spring bulbs, snakes head fritillaries and wild orchids, all set within wild meadows, walkways lined with lime trees and billowing roses.

Former paddocks providing extensive formal lawns make up the remainder of the gardens. A summerhouse and gazebo along with a recently created patio and seating area to the rear of the house offer choices of places to enjoy the garden and the last of the evening sun.

Set well back in its plot, The Orchard is approached over a long sweeping gravel driveway and enjoys a pleasant courtyard setting with the main house, barn and additional outbuildings wrapping around a central courtyard and parking area with brick pillared entrance.

Listing entry: 1342257