Property description

The Old Vicarage is an impressive family house built with stone and brick elevations under a Welsh slate roof. Approached over a long tree lined drive, and through a pair of electric gates, the gravel drive sweeps round a central lawn to the stone porch and front door. From the moment you enter the property and into the expansive and elegant hall, with warming wood burner stove, the quality of the current owner’s extensive refurbishment is apparent. Throughout, the accommodation is light and spacious with due care having been taken to maintain the many period features such as the open fire places, sash windows, cornices and working shutters.   The main reception rooms lead from the large central dining hall. Both the drawing room and sitting room benefit from floor to ceiling sash windows which allow glorious views over the garden and beyond. Both of these delightful rooms also have open fire places. Across the hall is the pretty dining room and adjacent to the kitchen is a cosy study/family room. The large and well appointed kitchen/breakfast room forms the hub of the property. Fitted with a range of Robinson and Cornish units with granite work surfaces the kitchen also enjoys the benefits of a two oven oil fired Aga with complementary electric Aga module. A focal point for the kitchen is the large central island around which the kitchen revolves. The integral larder cupboard and generous utility room, with wine and cool store next to the kitchen, offer practical benefits.

Upstairs on the first floor the attractive and generous master bedroom has a large adjoining bathroom. There are four further bedrooms and two further bathrooms. On the second floor there are two rooms that have been created from the attic space to create extra flexible accommodation with wonderful exposed beams.

Situation
The Old Vicarage is situated in a delightful setting within charming grounds on the edge of a small but active hamlet. Surrounded by fields and wooded grounds,   Norton Bavant is located at the western end of the beautiful Wylye valley in Wiltshire. The village lies close to the river Wylye overlooked by the hills of Scratchbury and Cotley. According to William Cobbett the 19th Century journalist and author of Rural Rides, there is no “finer country than that between the village of Codford and the town of Warminster. There are two villages, one is called Norton Bavant and the other Bishopstrow which I think form together one of the prettiest spots that my eyes ever beheld”.

The Wylye Valley is a particularly pretty valley running west from Salisbury towards Bath. There are numerous attractive walks over the surrounding countryside and there are excellent road and rail links nearby which provide access to London and the West Country. There is easy access to the A36 and the A303 is approximately 8 miles to the south east. There are rail stations at Warminster, Salisbury and Bath which offer direct mainline services to London.

The nearby village of Heytesbury has two pubs and a village shop, with the larger centre of Warminster providing a good range of local amenities including a Waitrose. The cities of Bath and Salisbury provide more comprehensive shopping and cultural opportunities. The area is renowned for its well regarded schooling in both the private and state sector with an excellent range of prep, private and grammar schools for boys and girls in Salisbury and Bath as well as a wide range of shops and recreational facilities.

Outside
The attractive gardens are a particular feature of The Old Vicarage. Immediately next to the house are more formal gardens with mature herbaceous borders, fruit trees, ornamental shrubs and flag-stoned terraced areas appointed to take full advantage of the sun and facilitate alfresco entertaining. Pretty shrubs and roses grow up the sides of the house softening and enhancing the mellow stone and brick work. The formal lawns to the south of the property lead to a bridge over the water to a further ornamental pond with fountain, bordered by irises and other water loving plants. A charming pumped stream, meanders through the informal gardens which are dotted with specimen trees. At the bottom of the property the River Wylye runs by.   Here an area of decking has been built to take full advantage of this wonderful riverside spot.
Within the grounds are a tennis court and a large Victorian style greenhouse.

In addition to the house, at the entrance to the property, there is an attractive old coach house. This charming brick built outbuilding is currently used as a garden store and work shop, but offers further potential, (subject to the necessary planning permissions) to be developed into garaging or secondary accommodation.

Property Features :

• Hall
• Drawing Room
• Sitting Room
• Dining Room
• Study/Family Room