Location

Nether Swell Manor stands on a south-facing slope about a mile to the south of the renowned Cotswold market town of Stow-on-the-Wold overlooking the Dikler Valley. Stow-on-the-Wold is a most charming town, with an eclectic mix of period Cotswold stone buildings centred round the attractive Market Square. There are first class facilities for day to day shopping with a range of antique and speciality shops and fine restaurants.

The larger centres of Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon provide very extensive cultural, shopping and leisure facilities, as well as renowned educational establishments, which include the Cheltenham Ladies College, Cheltenham College, Dean Close and a good selection of preparatory schools. Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon also have high ranking state schools for both boys and girls.

There is fast access to Oxford and London via the A44/M40 or the mainline stations at Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh, 6 miles and 5 miles respectively, serving Oxford, London/Paddington and the Midlands.

There are excellent sporting and recreational facilities within the general area. Golf at Lyneham, Broadway and Burford. National Hunt Racing at Cheltenham, Stratford and Warwick. Polo at Cirencester Park and Kirtlington. There is an abundance of bridleways and footpaths for the horse riding and walking enthusiast.

The Cotswolds' year is packed with events ranging from world famous international festivals like Cheltenham Literature Festival and Cheltenham Gold Cup Week to major musical events such as the Wilderness Festival and the Big Feastival, as well as a jam-packed events calendar featuring concerts, exhibitions, arts and literature festivals and theatrical productions.

Description

The Nether Swell Manor Estate was created in 1903 by the Edwardian architect Sir Guy Dawber for Sir John Murray Scott and his brother Walter Montagu Scott, a London stockbroker. Dawber was the ideal architect for the house as he was at the same time researching a number of important Cotswold houses in the locality. His familiarity with the many permutations of Cotswold buildings provided the ideal palette to create a wealth of period detail throughout the house. The Manor House is built of coarse stone and accented with picturesque gables, pierced parapets and traditional stone mullioned windows all beneath a Cotswold stone tiled roof with decorative finials. Subsequent additions to the Manor House were completed in 1909 and bestow a grand presence to the house, characterised by the addition of the castellated tower, twin double bay windows, crowned with ornate fretwork, projecting oriel windows and elevated terraces. These works impart a distinctive older and Jacobean aspect to the property.

In 1998 the Manor House and estate were purchased by the renowned house builder Charles Church who in association with Cheney Developments Limited extensively renovated the property. The original Manor House was divided into four substantial country houses. Unlike many manor house conversions, the house has been converted vertically rather than horizontally. This approach preserves the original facade and layout of the original house resulting in four interesting self contained country houses with each property benefitting from a private entrance.

Conveniently positioned close to the market town of Stow on the Wold and set within rolling Cotswold hills, this exquisite Grade II listed house has been converted from the original early 20th century original to a state of the art contemporary home. Ideal as a lock up and go, family or retirement home, the buyer can move in straightaway.

4 Nether Swell Manor is reached via a long private drive with wrought iron electric gates at the end leading to the main manor house and the surrounding cottages. The property forms part of the former Edwardian country mansion situated within the private Nether Swell Estate. It is thought that the house may once have been part of the kitchen wing of the main Manor house and has been converted to form a unique spacious property with southerly views to the rear. It forms part of a re-development of the entire estate by renowned builders Charles Church in 1998.

Originally built in 1903, 4 Nether Swell Manor has been sympathetically restored and renovated while retaining many of the period features such as the lead lined mullion windows and roof finials. The interior was completely re-decorated in 2022 in a classic, contemporary style but in keeping with its Edwardian heritage. There are wooden floors with under floor heating throughout, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, Farrow and Ball/Little Greene paint finishes and brass light fittings.
The entrance hall has a skylight and generous cupboards. Straight ahead is the delightful Neptune kitchen which has a three-door electric aga, Miele oven, a separate gas hob, Quoker hot tap and Fired Earth handmade tiles. There is plenty of storage with a built in fridge/freezer, a fully fitted pantry and bespoke wine rack.
Ideal for informal entertaining, the kitchen/dining area has banquettes along one side and can seat six. Double doors lead out to a paved, west-facing terrace with views across lawns to the valley below and from where you can watch the sunset.
The galleried sitting room is a spacious and light filled entertaining room with a wood burning stove. It is accessed through the kitchen or the hall and benefits from high ceilings and beams with a galleried study above. Leading off this is the formal dining room which can seat 10 and has double doors onto the terrace.

The peaceful principal bedroom suite faces the gardens and has a spacious dressing area, bespoke mirrored cupboards and bookshelves. The dressing area could also be used as a study. The dark green en suite bathroom has Fired Earth tiles, black and white floor tiles, marble double basins with cupboards below and a large freestanding Victoria & Albert bath with aged brass bathroom fittings by Lefroy Brooks.

There are two further double bedrooms and a high spec family bathroom with a marble basin, Balineum tiles, a Rutland towel rail and Lefroy Brooks fittings. The third bedroom is situated on the first floor and has vaulted ceilings.

The utility room offers plenty of storage, a butler’s sink and Miele appliances which are included in the sale.

The spacious garage is adjacent to the house and is accessed from the terrace or parking area. It has been designed and fitted with Dura secure storage units and paneling, perfect for the handy person of the house, and an EV charger. It would also make an excellent workshop.

Directions

From London take the M40 towards Oxford and exits at Junction 8 signposted A40 to Oxford/Burford. Continue along this route and at the roundabout at the top of Burford high street follow the A424 to Stow-on-the-Wold. At the junction with the A429 (the Fosse Way) and the traffic lights, proceed straight over, taking the right hand driveway. Proceed up the drive which is signed to Nether Swell Manor for about half-a-mile. Continue through the electrically operated gates and the property will be then found on the left with parking available in the visitor parking area.

From Stow-on-the-Wold proceed south on the A429 to the traffic lights at the bottom of the hill where you turn right following signs for Nether Swell Manor. Continue through the electrically operated gates and the property will be then found on the left with parking available in the visitor parking area.