Country house with annexe and pool

A Pretty Grand Country Pile

It is probably fair to say that this is a pretty grand country pile — but one with enough charm, character and humour to stop it taking itself too seriously.

Set in just over 11½ hectares of grazing and woodland, with no close neighbours and fabulous views across the surrounding countryside, this substantial stone country house enjoys a wonderfully peaceful and private setting. The gardens are every bit as special, with mature cypress trees, clipped box hedging, olive trees and a host of other established planting, creating a series of beautiful spaces to wander, sit, entertain or simply do very little at all.

The house itself combines a handsome period stone building with later additions and retains a wealth of character, from exposed stonework and beamed ceilings to wooden floors and impressive fireplaces. It has been designed and decorated with considerable taste and style, balancing period charm with the comforts one would expect of a much-loved modern country home.

At the heart of the house is a wonderful country kitchen, with full-height ceilings, integral appliances and plenty of space for family and friends to gather. There is a large sitting room with wooden floors, a magnificent marble fireplace and French doors opening directly onto the garden, together with a second, wonderfully cosy sitting room centred around a vast stone fireplace and log-burning stove.

The principal bedroom is particularly lovely, with its own ensuite bathroom and dressing room, together with two further bedrooms and stylish bathrooms, providing generous accommodation for family and guests. Oil-fired central heating and double glazing provide the modern comforts, while the house retains all the atmosphere that makes an old country property so appealing.

And then there is the guest accommodation: a separate one-bedroom house with open-plan living space, making an excellent guest cottage, family annexe or, if desired, income-producing holiday or Airbnb accommodation.

Outside, there are multiple terraces and secluded corners, with no shortage of opportunities for long lunches, evening apéros or finding a peaceful spot with a book. The in-and-out driveway gives an impressive approach to the property, while the extensive grounds offer plenty of scope for those with equestrian ambitions. There is already a flat riding arena and excellent grazing and woodland, with further possibilities to create the facilities to suit.

One of the property’s rather fabulous surprises is the indoor swimming pool — an impressive 11m x 4m pool housed in its own beautifully appointed building. Exposed beams, a jacuzzi and multiple French doors opening onto the gardens make this far more than simply a pool room; it is another wonderful space in which to relax and entertain throughout the year.

There is also planning permission in place for a garage block, adding further practical potential to an already remarkably complete property.

In short, this is a rare combination of substantial period country house, beautifully established gardens, extensive land, additional guest accommodation and leisure facilities, all wrapped up in a wonderfully private and tranquil setting.

If this house is missing something, I can’t think what it is.