In the heart of Castle Combe sits a quintessential country village cottage that is in every way befitting for a village of such notoriety.
Number 2 School Lane is an utterly charming (and we really mean that), stone-built cottage in the heart of the picturesque Cotswolds village of Castle Combe, and is currently on the market via Strutt & Parker for the not so scary sum of £675,000.
It's easy to see why Castle Combe is often referred to as 'the prettiest village in England'. Located in the heart of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it comes with ample of traditional Cotswold character and charm, thanks to its beautiful streets that are lined with stone-walled cottages and a river traversing through.
The village is a well-loved filming location for both TV and films, most notably Downton Abbey, Warhorse, and several episodes of Agatha Christie's Poirot.
The house dates from the 18th century and has since been masterfully extended, creating additional space that is in keeping with the original property, whilst still retaining its period exposed beams, mullion and casement windows, stone walls and fireplaces.
Inside is an open plan sitting/dining room, set on flagstone floors with a wood burning fire on one side and a large stone fireplace the other.
The adaptable space also has window seats and exposed stone walls, which creates a really wonderful cosy room, that could easily be configured differently to suit various needs.
The more recently added kitchen/breakfast room is reached via steps from the living/dining area and has bifold doors which lead out onto the spacious terrace, which is the perfect spot for al fresco dining with views over the surrounding countryside.
The three bedrooms are reached via separate staircases, adding to the unique charm of the property.
The principal suite and a double bedroom (complete with its own feature fireplace) is accessed via a concealed staircase from the living area, and the other double bedroom is accessed from the landing, and leads to a cosy room with a vaulted ceiling and family bathroom.
The rear garden offers a mixture of paved stone paths and steps that lead up to the lawn, which is bordered by flowerbeds, and leads to a pond, vegetable garden, chicken coop area and a workshop.
2 School Lane is currently on the market via Strutt & Parker at a guide price of £675,000 — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.
Castle Combe: What you need to know
Location: Castle Combe is located in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wilshire, about 12 miles from Chippenham.
Atmosphere: The village was named 'the prettiest in England' and, unsurprisingly is a popular destination to both live and visit. It has a small village shop, a pub, a small hotel and also the Manor House Hotel — which boasts a Michelin Starred restaurant and a Peter Alliss designed golf course (known as one of the top 100 courses in the country).
Things to do: Once you've eaten in the restaurant, frequented the local pub, done a couple rounds of golf and explored the beautiful countryside around the village, then head to the market town of Chippenham for its weekly markets and shopping high street. A little further afield, yet still easily reached is Bath, which offers more in terms of shopping and leisure facilities.
Schools: By Brook Valley C of E Primary School and Calder House School were both rated 'outstanding' in Ofsted reviews, with Trinity Church of England Primary also a great option. Secondary options can be found closer to Bath and Chippenham.
See more property for sale in the area.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country LifeWe take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
-
Exploring the countryside is essential for our wellbeing, but Right to Roam is going backwardsCampaigners in England often point to Scotland as an example of how brilliantly Right to Roam works, but it's not all it's cracked up to be, says Patrick Galbraith.
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producersStormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in KentNorth Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streetsThis six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
-
A tale of everyday life as lived on Britain's most expensive streetWinnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
-
Damon Hill's former home in Marbella is the perfect place to slow downThe glorious Andalusian-style villa is found within the Lomas de Marbella Club and just a short walk from the beach.
-
A 327-acre estate in the heart of 'England’s Côte d’Or', with a 26,000sq ft Georgian style home at its heartStokes Hall in the Crouch Valley is an inspiring property looking for a new owner.
-
Schreiber House, 'the most significant London townhouse of the second half of the 20th century', is up for saleThe five-bedroom Modernist masterpiece sits on the edge of Hampstead Heath.
