Location

Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the unspoilt Cotswold village of West Kington is most sought after because it offers the rare combination of peace and tranquility together with easy access to the M4 motorway and the railway.   

West Kington makes an excellent base for commuting into London, Bath and Bristol; M4 Junction 18 (4 miles), and there are regular fast trains to London Paddington from Bath Spa (from 75 minutes) and Chippenham (from 60 minutes).

Within easy distance of many renowned schools including, Kingswood, Pinewood, Royal High School, St Marys Calne, Westonbirt, King Edwards and Marlborough College.

Description

2 Barn Cottages is a world away from the pressures of everyday life, situated peacefully in the centre of West Kington, one of the area's most sought after villages, with an idyllic brook running through the garden.

The property, part of which dates to the 16th century, is set in about 0.75 acres of land with a private drive leading to parking for several cars. The house is beautifully secluded but benefits from a sunny aspect with a wonderful outlook across the Broadmead Brook to its own woodland. The gardens are largely level and extend across the brook via a timber bridge, leading to a sitting area and a 100m long footpath up through the woodland, providing elevated views down through the trees to the brook and garden. To the south side of the property, there are views across the lane to fields beyond, often containing sheep. There is an abundance of wildlife in the valley, including deer, otters, trout and Kingfishers. From sunrise to dusk, there is a backdrop of birdsong and the tranquil sound of the brook.

From the house, there are numerous footpaths and bridleways providing beautiful walks through the countryside including a 40 minute walk through the valley following the brook to Castle Coombe. It is rare for a property of this age to offer such an excellent flow of accommodation. Presented to a very high standard by the present owner, with meticulous attention to detail and a layout suited to modern day family living, the house displays many original features combined with sensitively designed modern additions.

Inside the front door, there is a welcoming entrance hall with Welsh Pennant stone floor and wood burning stove, which leads through to a sitting area filled with natural light and folding doors opening out to the garden. This area combines with a large section of open plan living to the ground floor which includes a generous and well appointed farmhouse kitchen which extends through to a traditional conservatory and dining area surrounded by glass overlooking the brook, garden and woodland. A feature of this part of the house are a number of openings providing glimpses through to different parts of the house and allowing natural light to penetrate the property from all directions.

At night, external lighting sensitively illuminates the brook and bridge across to the woodland, creating a unique and special outlook from the kitchen and dining area.

The main living room is located in the oldest section of the house with original inglenook fireplace with wood burning stove, oak beams and French doors leading out to the garden. The living room leads through to a private study with glazed screen and door overlooking the kitchen garden.

There is a back hall which leads to a generous cloakroom and utility/laundry room, including high ceiling with drying rack and abundance of fitted cupboards.

Upstairs there are four generous bedrooms, all filled with natural light and enjoying delightful views of the surroundings. There is an elegant family bathroom with traditional freestanding roll top bath, period sink and large shower. The principal bedroom and en-suite shower room enjoy enchanting views of the garden and brook. On the second floor is a fifth bedroom set within the original roof space with painted floors and exposed beams, roof lighting and built-in eaves storage. This room would also make an excellent playroom or studio.

Garden and Grounds

Approaching the house from the gravelled parking area through a gateway, the grounds offer their own surprises and adventures with a combination of formal gardens and lawn and informal woodland across the brook.

A number of doorways in the house open onto a large lawned garden running up to the brook, defined by stone walls and parkland railings. At the south end of the house there is a kitchen garden and an old stone flag path with steps leading up to the original garden gate. The conservatory and dining space also open onto the garden and the bridge which leads across the brook to a paved terrace providing a beautiful setting for barbecues and outdoor dining.

From the bridge, there is a circular footpath through the woodland which rises well above the garden and brook and provides different experiences with the changing seasons. In the spring, the woodland is a carpet of bluebells.

A large stone outbuilding is located adjacent to the parking area with double doors and a side door into the garden. At one the end, there is a workshop which is open to the roof space with a roof light, and access through a high-level door to attic storage. This is a tremendously useful building which could potentially be converted for alternative purposes subject to obtaining the necessary consents.

The Smithy

The Smithy, a separate building with land situated about 100m along the lane from the house is available by separate negotiation. Formally the village blacksmiths, the building was sensitively restored 25 years ago to create a studio for an architectural practice. The building consists of a large open plan studio with separate printing area/kitchen and cloakroom. The building has a full range of services including oil central heating and independent drainage.

The building sits in a plot of approximately 0.4 of an acre, surrounded by fields and stone walls with a level garden and store at one end and an orchard to the rear, rising up to a section of woodland.