Location

Wyck Hill is just under two miles from Stow-on-the-Wold, a charming market town which enjoys an elevated situation within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town is just five miles from Daylesford Organic Farm Shop and Bamford Club and 18 miles from Soho Farmhouse which was founded as a home from home for people working in the creative industries. The town is strategically located just off the north/south Fosse Way and near to the A40/M40 to London and the A44 Oxford to Worcester east/west trunk road. Mainline railway stations are at Moreton-in-Marsh and Kingham which serves London Paddington, Oxford, Worcester and Hereford. The area is well served by restaurants and there is a range of private and state schools in the area including the Cotswold School in Bourton-on-the-Water. Stow-on-the-Wold has a primary school. Oxford and Cheltenham provide more extensive leisure, educational and shopping amenities.

Schooling in the area is outstanding and includes; Stow Primary, Kitebrook, Tudor Hall, Hatherop Castle, Cheltenham College and Cheltenham Ladies College, The Cotswold School, Chipping Campden and Oxford schools including; The Dragon, Summerfield’s and St Edwards.

Sporting pursuits include racing at Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon, golf courses at Naunton Downs and Broadway, and rugby at Worcester and Gloucester. An extensive network of bridleways and footpaths is ideal for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

The Fitzdares Club (8.4 miles) offers members a luxury setting to meet, dine and enjoy watching live sporting events and is situated on the 200-acre estate near Naunton, complete with an 18-hole golf course. The highly regarded Daylesford Organic Farm shop and the newly opened Club by Bamford is just over six miles away whilst the private members club Soho Farmhouse is an 18 mile drive.

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

Designed by RIBA award winning architects Loyn + Co, the proposed house has been contextually designed relative to the specific topography, history and landscape of the site and offers a unique opportunity for those seeking to build a truly outstanding and innovative house, reflecting the highest standards in architecture in the Cotswolds.

The house will be a quiet and understated beautiful home which connects to the landscape within which it sits. High levels of glazing will create a feeling of light and space and maximise the views over the surrounding landscape which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Measures to reduce energy demand have been incorporated in the scheme along with low and zero carbon technology including a ground source heat pump, air source heat pump and photovoltaics. Through the reuse and recycling of existing materials on site, in particular concrete which already exists on site, and through low carbon construction methods, the embodied carbon calculation is low. The scheme incorporates new ‘eco-zones’ to enhance biodiversity.

The proposed house meets the stringent criteria of Paragraph 80a planning permission, the premier league of housebuilding.

Be of exceptional quality

Be truly outstanding

Reflect the highest standards in architecture

Help to raise standards of design more generally in rural areas

Significantly enhance its immediate setting

Be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area

The proposed house is approached via a landscaped driveway from the existing access off Burford Road (A424). Leading landscape architects SEED have designed tree planting which works with the natural topology to screen the house from the road and maximise security and privacy. The accommodation, which extends to 10,492 sq. ft including the garaging, is set out over three floors comprising two wings, split by the double height glazed indoor garden, which step down the hill with angled facades to make the most of the views.

The main entrance and hallway enjoy far reaching views across the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty drawing the eye across the indoor garden bridge to the roof terrace beyond. To the left are the games room, gym and cinema, leading to the pool and sauna beyond. To the right are the study, staff apartment and ancillary spaces. There is a separate guest annex to the north of the main house. Stairs lead up to the bedroom accommodation where there are six excellent bedrooms which enjoy lovely rural views. The principal bedroom suite is particularly luxurious with two en suite bathrooms and two dressing rooms.

The double height glazed indoor garden is home to the formal dining space. On the ground floor is a formal reception room, a play room/ snug and a stunning open plan kitchen/living/dining room forming the heart of the home.

The garden surrounds and runs through the house, following the specific features of the site. There is a four bay garage which is accessible from inside the house.

Directions

From Stow-on-the-Wold proceed towards Cirencester on the A429. Turn left onto the A424 towards Burford. Continue for about 2.5km where the site will be found on the right hand side, just past Wyck Hill Hotel