Property description

OPEN HOUSE 11am - 12.30pm Saturday 7 May 2016 A rare combination of an important detached individual house with extensive 4 double bedroom accommodation, a 2 double bedroom annexe, outbuildings/stabling and paddocks - ideal for family and horse/livestock use.

Description 1
Commanding a 115' frontage to a well respected village lane on a 2.4 acre plot, The Observatory is a detached two storey house of family eminence, good quality appointment and undoubted character with its history spanning over 100 years retaining characteristics reminiscent of its circa 1902 origins. Since 2000, the present owners have much improved the property and had an excellent sized annexe purpose built for occupation by grandparents. The principal accommodation lines the rear of the house and thus enjoys a South Easterly aspect over the gardens and paddocks to open countryside beyond. The drawing room, dining kitchen as well as 3 of the main 4 double bedrooms and the annexe kitchen diner and bedroom one claim this outlook.

Description 2
Vaulted and higher ceilings, an open fire and a log burner, alcoves, original tiling, and bay and bow windows adorn the house to name just a few of the notable characteristics quite apart from the size and scale of The Observatory. Exposed joinery is much in evidence with panelled wooden internal doors, deep skirtingboards, moulded architraves and dado rails. For comfort, there is a sociable large kitchen, white sanitaryware with chrome finished fittings, smooth finished ceilings, uPVC double glazing with leaded lights to the front, and fanlight windows with security locks, and two separate gas heating systems with thermostatic valves throughout except the bathroom. To aid external upkeep, there are uPVC roofline products.

Location
Blackberry Lane lies to the South Eastern side of Four Marks village and is well regarded for its attractive range of mainly individual detached homes of much varying ages, sizes and designs. The Observatory is handily placed with a nearby shortcut footpath leading to the village shopping centre. The road is strategically placed for the primary school, Church of the Good Shepherd, village hall and nursery, and country walks in the neighbourhood. At the far end of the road, Brislands Lane leads to the recreation area including a cricket ground and allotments whilst the village has a diverse range of shops with a garage/M&S outlet, Tesco and Co-Op mini stores, doctors and vets surgeries, a golf course, garden centre, bus services and the Mid Hants Steam Railway Line. Alton's Georgian High Street is within 4.2 miles drive with its family and multiple traders, Waitrose, M&S, Sainsbury's, Iceland and Boots stores, regular open air and farmers market events, and an intriguing history. The town also provides senior and The Convent schools, Alton College, a station (Waterloo min. 67 minutes journey time), fitness clubs and a sports centre. To the South West lies Alresford, which includes Perins Academy/sports college, Broad Street and picturesque walks beside chalk streams among its attributes. Farnham, Guildford and Winchester are reached also by the A31.

Approach
Via sweeping pea shingle in-and-out driveway with central pedestrian gate and pavioured entries.

Ground Floor

Reception Hall - 15' 4'' x 8' 8'' (4.67m x 2.64m) plus 10' 9\" x 8' 2\" (3.27m x 2.49m)
Via timbered and gabled porch with lantern light and hardwood part leaded light front door with side screens. Mosaic tiled threshold. Oak effect Amtico main floor with downlighting and two way log burner stove. 2 radiators.

Cloakroom
Suite of vanity wash basin + cupboards and WC + hideaway cistern, Aqua style part tiled walls, mirrored display alcove, Amtico floor, sinktop lighting, extractor + isolator.

Drawing Room - 20' 4'' x 15' 0'' (6.19m x 4.57m)
Rear aspect. Cast iron open fireplace, pine pillared mantelpiece and tiled hearth. Oak floor. Lighting sockets, dimmer switches, 2 radiators, coved ceiling, stepped bevelled glazed double entry doors. Double French doors to sun loggia / rear garden.

Living Room - 19' 4'' x 12' 0'' (5.89m x 3.65m) overall
Front aspect. Main corniced ceiling, downlighting and pair of wall lights on dimmers, display alcove. Oak effect flooring, radiator, half glazed entry door. Intercommunicating door to annexe.

Study - 14' 5'' x 6' 0'' (4.39m x 1.83m)
Front bow window. Radiator, wood effect flooring, half glazed entry door.

Dining Kitchen - 25' 9'' x 15' 5'' (7.84m x 4.70m) overall
Rear aspect featuring bi-fold doors opening to loggia terrace / rear garden. Travertine style floor with underfloor heating, downlighting. Refitted to oak finish including island unit with quartz worktops presenting extensive floor cupboards, towers of drawers and part glazed and illuminated double pelmetted eye level cabinets with ironmongery handles and open shelving. Belfast sink + swan neck mixers, matching upstands and task lighting. Also integrated Hoover dishwasher and fridge in island unit, and decorative tiled fire surround to Flavel Milano 100 stainless steel finished range cooker (8 burner gas hob, 2 electric ovens/grill, stowage drawer), arched hood above. Radiator, TV socket, half glazed entry door. Half glazed door to front drive. Bevelled glazed double doors to:-

Family Room - L-shaped - 13' 8'' x 12' 1'' (4.16m x 3.68m) plus 7' 9\" x 7' 0\" (2.36m x 2.13m)
Twin aspect - side including bow window + front. Oak floor with decorative beams and downlighting on dimmer. Log burning stove two way to hall. Radiator, TV point.

Ante Room - 7' 1'' x 6' 8'' (2.16m x 2.03m) including triple coats cupboard
Downlight, oak effect floor. Doors to kitchen and half glazed to:-

Utility Room - L-shaped - 14' 10'' x 8' 0'' (4.52m x 2.44m) plus 7' 4\" x 7' 0\" (2.23m x 2.13m)
Front aspect. Refitted to apple green theme with ironmongery handles, soft closers and woodblock effect laminated worktops inset with one and a quarter bowl single drainer sink, swan neck mixer and tiled splashbacks. Providing floor cupboards, tower of drawers, tall cleaning cupboard, downlighting, oak effect flooring. Plumbing for washing machine, space for condenser drier, space for further fridges/freezers. Radiator. Wall hung Worcester Greenstar Ri gas boiler, digital programmer. Double corner cupboard housing electric and gas meters, and electric consumer units. Half glazed door to store 15' 9\" x 13' 1\" (4.80m x 3.96m).

First Floor - 0' 0'' x 0' 0'' (0.00m x 0.00m)

Vaulted Quadruple Galleried Landing - 15' 4'' x 12' 2'' (4.67m x 3.71m) main area including stairwell
Front aspect bay. Exposed beams. Alighted from hall via double spindle ballustraded straight stairs with matching quadrupled galleried landing. Radiator.

Premier Bedroom - 23' 1'' x 11' 2'' (7.03m x 3.40m) excluding door recess
Vaulted with exposed pine beams. Rear aspect over fields towards Alton Lane. 3 wall light points, radiator. Sofa area with downlighting. Door to walk-in wardrobe.

En-suite Bathroom - 13' 8'' x 9' 3'' (4.16m x 2.82m)
Front window. Five piece suite affording spa bath, separate wide glazed and tiled shower enclosure + raindrench head, pair of vanity wash basins + multiple cupboards, drawers and display top, and dual flush WC + hidden cistern. Part tiled walls, downlighting, chrome towel radiator, oak effect vinyl floor. Eaves cupboard.

Bedroom Two - 15' 0'' x 12' 2'' (4.57m x 3.71m) plus 8' 3\" x 8' 0\" (2.51m x 2.44m)
L-shaped. Include fitted part mirrored and glazed wardrobes. 2 rear aspect windows. Radiator, dimmers. Hatch to loft.

En-suite Bathroom
Suite of panelled bath + mixers, separate Aqualisa shower fitting and glazed screen, vanity wash basin + soft closing drawers, and WC. Majority tiled walls, extractor fan, radiator, fitted shelved cupboard, wood effect vinyl floor.

Bedroom Three - 17' 3'' x 12' 1'' (5.25m x 3.68m) overall
Front aspect. Radiator, dimmer.

Bedroom Four - 15' 7'' x 9' 5'' (4.75m x 2.87m)
Rear aspect with country views. Radiator, dimmer.

Bathroom
Front window. Suite of panelled bath + mixers/cradle shower attachment, wash basin and WC with wood panelled hidden cistern and double cupboard. Tiling to visible walls, extractor fan, shaver point and light.

East Wing Annexe
Referred to by our clients as The Lodge. Being purpose built and self contained. Comprising:-

Ground Floor

Hall - 13' 6'' x 5' 3'' (4.11m x 1.60m) including stairway
Via covered side porch with courtesy light and half leaded light panelled front door with matching side screen. Oak effect flooring, coved ceiling, radiator, smoke detector.

Cloakroom
Side window. Suite of dual flush WC and hand basin, tiled splashback, oak effect flooring, radiator, coved ceiling. Electric consumer unit.

Sitting Room - 16' 0'' x 15' 8'' (4.87m x 4.77m)
Twin aspect - main bow front window + pair at side. Decorative marble effect fireplace fitted with coal effect electric fire and pine pillared mantelpiece. Coved ceiling, TV point, radiator. Bevelled glazed double entry doors. Intercommunicating door to living room of main house.

Kitchen Diner - 15' 10'' x 12' 7'' (4.82m x 3.83m) overall
Rear aspect with window and double French doors to loggia terrace/rear garden. Fitted with beech effect units incorporating brushed chrome theme handles and integrated stainless steel Baumatic gas hob and Electrolux Self Cleaning electric oven with concealed hood. Presenting floor cupboards, drawers, end displays, laminated worktops inset with Franke one and quarter bowl single drainer stainless steel sink, tiled splashbacks and task lighting, and double pelmetted matching wall cabinets with end displays and corner unit housing Worcester 28SiII gas combination boiler. Plumbing for washing machine. Downlighting, coved ceiling, ceramic tiled floor with underfloor heating, radiator, TV socket.

First Floor

Gallieried Landing
From hall, wooden spindle ballustraded stairs returning to matching galleried landing. Smoke detector. Hatch to loft.

Annexe Bedroom One - 15' 11'' x 12' 8'' (4.85m x 3.86m) including built-in double wardrobe
Rear aspect and view over grounds and neighbouring countryside. Radiator, TV socket.

Annexe Bedroom Two - 16' 0'' x 10' 10'' (4.87m x 3.30m)
Plus built-in double wardrobe. Twin aspect - front and side. Radiator, two eaves store cupboards.

Shower Room - 8' 7'' x 5' 6'' (2.61m x 1.68m)
Side window. Suite of full width glazed and tiled shower enclosure, pedestal wash basin and dual flush WC. Part tiled walls, radiator, vinyl flooring, extractor fan + isolator.

Outside

Lovely Established Gardens
Lie extensively to the rear with the front driveway providing a recessed parking area with deep flower borders behind a wall featuring small and ornamental trees. Further outside lighting with pavered path and Spring borders leading left handed to the Annexe with trelliswork screened timber garden shed and access to the sun terrace. Commanding garden and country views, the sun loggia and wisteria clad pergola walkway has extensive paved terrace, outside lighting and tap, and series of 3 brick arched steps descending to the main lawn symmetrically planned with slate and topiary planted rills traversing to the circular koi pond. There are deep shrubbery stocked borders with Spring flowers, pair of trellis timber archways, shingle path, lower maintenance beds, several mature trees and intimate pondside sun terrace. The lower lawn features a sun deck designed to accommodate a potential swimming pool if required. Kitchen garden beyond.

Outbuildings
To Western side, separate external electric meter box and gated long wide driveway leading to :-

Stables - 12' 0'' x 12' 0'' (3.65m x 3.65m) externally each
Affording four loose boxes with internal and external lighting, electric consumer unit and metal barred windows. Part covered apron to concreted yard.

Two Barns - both 32' 8'' x 21' 7'' (9.95m x 6.57m) externally
Upper barn incorporating two stables and feed room. Lower barn sub-divided into two foaling boxes. Adjoining space for parking horse boxes with flood and outside lighting and tap.

Paddocks
Directly below garden accessed via five bar and galvanized gates is a holding paddock. Manege beyond. Track continuing with gateway to main paddock with field shelter and enclosed by post and rail, fencing and hedging including several mature fir trees towards lower boundary and served by further stabling consisting of three loose boxes, feed store, power, lighting and standpipe. Gate crossing hedge lined public footpath to further triangular paddock area to North Easterly side extending to broken line of trees currently open to neighbour's paddock.

Overall Plot Size 2.4 acres (0.97 hectare)

NB
1. Adjoining grazing land belonging to neighbouring owners may be available to rent in the future.2. Our vendor clients reserve the right to apply an uplift clause in the sale.3. A plan is available on request showing the extent of the grounds. Further details available upon request.

Local Authority
East Hampshire District Council, Penns Place, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4EX. Tel: 01730 266551 www.easthants.gov.uk

Directions
From Alton, take the A31 towards Winchester. Immediately entering the speed limits in Four Marks, turn first left into Telegraph Lane and immediately fork right into Blackberry Lane where the property is after 0.3 mile on the left.

NOWEAL612010