An achingly pretty former village forge in Hampshire that's a beautiful example of the quintessential country cottage
The Old Forge is located in a sweet Hampshire village and showcases the ideal family home — with tasteful period touches, comfortable rooms and a lovely enclosed garden.

Situated opposite the village green in the charming village of Thuxton, just down the road from Andover and within a stone’s throw of the A303 is thatched, Grade II listed The Old Forge.
Currently on the market with Stutt & Parker at a guide price of £550,000, the cottage is the perfect example of a quintessential period country home.
It is believed to date from 1690’s and has fabulous large stone inglenook fireplaces in two of the reception rooms — one with a wood burner and the other an open hearth — and exposed 300- year-old beams running throughout the interiors, which really maximise its charm.
From the outside, box thatched dormers hang over pretty latticed windows whilst vertical black timbers create a patchwork- pattern which continues on throughout the interiors.
The south facing garden wraps around the exterior with a sweet little terrace area in the centre and mature trees and shrubs along the borders. It’s a completely enclosed outdoor space making it ideal for little legs — or paws.
There is also a separate workshop that is currently used as storage space, but with electricity and windows, could make a fantastic studio or home-office (with all the necessary planning permissions).
Inside, the ground floor is composed of a snug, dining room, sitting room, compact office and a kitchen/breakfast room with access out to the garden.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
The aforementioned beams feature in all but the kitchen/breakfast room, and are offset by generous windows which floods the well-proportioned rooms with plenty of natural light.
The four bedrooms are all found upstairs on the first floor, including the principal room with en-suite and dual-aspect views over the garden and neighbouring village green.
The whole place is charming from the get-go, and depicts an altogether exemplary ideal of a comfortable, family home.
The Old Forge is currently on the market via Strutt & Parker with a guide price of £550,000 — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.
Thruxton: What you need to know
Location: Just under 5 miles from Andover, set back from the A303. Southampton is approximately 30 miles to the south.
Atmosphere: The village was first mentioned in the Domesday book and is best known today for the Thruxton Circuit — a race track which claims to be Britain's fastest motor racing circuit. The property is close to the village green, parish church, War Memorial Hall and local pub. Further down the Weyhill road is a post office, farm shop, garden centre and cafe, whilst Andover has further amenities.
Things to do: Any motor sport enthusiasts will no doubt be enthralled by the Thruxton circuit, whilst those more partial to waterspouts can head to Southampton for sailing. Visit Winchester and Salisbury — both of which are almost equidistance to the southeast and southwest — for a burst of history and culture.
Schools: Amport Church of England Primary School and Kimpton, Thruxton and Fyfield Church of England Primary School are both rated 'good' in Ofsted reviews, whilst the renowned Winchester College and St Swithun's are in the area.
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
-
The century-old enamelling technique used to create Van Cleef's lucky ladybird brooch — which has something in common with Country Life
The technique used in the jeweller's Geneva workshop has been put to good use in its latest creation.
By Hetty Lintell Published
-
‘The best sleep in the sky’: What it’s like to fly in United’s Polaris cabin, approved by American icon Martha Stewart
United’s Business Class cabin goes by the name Polaris and Martha Stewart is a fan. So, how does it fare?
By Rosie Paterson Published
-
18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country Life
From a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
By Toby Keel Published
-
If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool
5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
By James Fisher Published
-
The sounds of spring and stained glass in an Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in Dorset
With 35 acres, more than 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, Winterfield has it all.
By James Fisher Published
-
An eight-bedroom wonder in East Sussex where the outdoors are an adventure
The interiors of Old Middleton are pretty good too.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
A lakeside farmhouse on the market in the beautiful heart of Pembrokeshire
A lake, streams, 15 acres and five bedrooms. Rogershook might have it all.
By James Fisher Published
-
An idyllic countryside home that's light, spacious and comes with a Grade II-listed folly
Hagg House is a gorgeous family home that just happens to have a miniature castle in the gardens. Annabel Dixon explains more.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A historic villa for sale on the Via Nomentana worthy of Rome's rich history
Three floors, lots of balconies, and a private garden in one of Rome's loveliest neighbourhoods.
By James Fisher Published
-
Eight bedrooms of unlisted Edwardian elegance with sweeping views of Somerset
Ashton House sits near the market town of Chard and comes with a wealth of amenities both inside and out.
By Arabella Youens Published