Location

Drakestone House enjoys a rural setting about half a mile south of the village of Stinchcombe, which has amenities including a village hall, rugby and cricket clubs and a church. The village is three miles west of the towns of Cam and Dursley, which have superstore shopping, surgeries, takeaways and a variety of independent shops and services. Further facilities are available in Stroud which also offers a Waitrose supermarket.

The property is well placed for access to the M5 (junction 14, with links to the M4 via Junction 15) as well as Tetbury and Cirencester to the east. Mainline railway stations at Stroud, Bristol Parkway and Kemble provide a regular service to London Paddington.

The elegant and historical Regency spa town of Cheltenham is positioned to the north and the Georgian city of Bath, as well as the regional centre of Bristol, to the south. Bath and Cheltenham are famous for their art, music and literature, science and jazz festivals. Cribbs Causeway, near Bristol, has one of the largest shopping centres in the country and lies within easy reach.

There is a good choice of private and state schools in the area including Westonbirt, Rendcomb College, Beaudesert Park in Minchinhampton, Rose Hill near Tetbury, Westonbirt, Wycliffe College in Stonehouse and the Cheltenham Colleges, while locally there is Rednock secondary school in Dursley.

Description

Drakestone House is set within magnificent countryside in a stunning rural setting on the edge of the Cotswold Hills escarpment yet is minutes from both the town of Dursley and Junction 15 of the M5 motorway. The striking house was built in 1911 and designed by the renowned architect Oswald P Milne, in the Arts and Crafts style. The house is renowned for its history and much has been written about it over the years; in Cotswold Arts and Crafts Architecture (2009) it was noted as a "fascinating and important house one of the best Arts and Crafts houses in the region." Though extensively modernised, the Arts and Crafts character is virtually unaltered and the house is Grade II* listed, constructed from local larch and stone by craftsmen from Stinchcome village.

The house has most recently been used as a venue for weddings and private hire events and there is excellent potential to continue its use as an events venue or self-catering accommodation, or to return it to a single-family country estate. Internally the house is beautifully presented, with consideration given to its ample character: the interior mixes original features, such as a stunning staircase, exposed beams and decorative plasterwork, with modern additions in an elegant country style. The farmhouse kitchen, with its wood floors and range cooker and cream cabinetry, is the heart of the home and a particular highlight.

The accommodation in the main home extends to almost 5600 sq ft and is generously proportioned, light and airy throughout. To the rear of the house there are four reception rooms enjoying beautiful views over the gardens, with a bedroom, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, pantry and WC also on the ground floor. The first floor has six double bedrooms and four bath/shower rooms, and there is a further bedroom and useful attic space on the second floor.

The L-shaped coach house has been upgraded recently with an extension and beautifully appointed interiors in the same standard as the main property. It comprises a kitchen, sitting room, two bedrooms and a bathroom downstairs, with a snug and two further bedrooms (both en suite) on the upper floor.

Outside
Drakestone House is situated within varied gardens of about nine acres, with formal gardens wrapping around the property comprising an impressive yew garden, water feature, extremely private landscaped lawns (used for a marquee during weddings), well-stocked flowerbeds, terraces and a children's play area. In addition there is a block of two stables and grazing land suited to horses or other livestock, and there is an enclosed tennis court. A gravel driveway sweeps up to a large parking area with space for a number of cars.

The coach house has its own parking area and a walled courtyard-style garden. Separate EPC rating D.

Directions

From Cirencester, take the A429 west and proceed on the Tetbury Road for approximately 12 miles. With the police station on the left, turn right onto the A4135, signposted Stroud/Dursley. After approximately 3.5 miles, after passing Calcot Manor & Spa on the right-hand side, go straight on at the traffic lights and after passing the Matara Centre bear continue on the A4135 following the signs for Dursley. Pass through Dursley and the western edge of Cam and leave via the Dursley Road, entering the village of Stinchcombe. Follow the road for about one mile, after which the property can be found on the left-hand side and is well signposted.

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