Hampshire rectories

Unlike London buses, one rarely sees three old Hampshire vicarages or rectories on the market simultaneously, and four is almost unheard of. But even John D. Wood & Co (01962 863131) were surprised at the speedy response to last month's launch of Rookwood at Ropley, near Alresford, which has had more than 30 viewings at the guide price of £695,000. It comprises half a Victorian former vicarage built circa 1850, divided in the early 1950s, and now in need of fairly serious renovation. A closing date for receipt of informal tenders has been set for midday, 23 March. The guide price of £1.35 million quoted by Knight Frank (01962 850333) for the delightful Old Vicarage at Shipton Bellinger, on the Hampshire-Wiltshire border, reflects the property's only 'downside' its proximity to the army garrison at Tidworth. Otherwise, it has everything the London buyer could wish for, being surrounded by unspoilt rolling country-side on the outskirts of a thriving village with a good primary school and popular private schools such as Farleigh House, Godolphin and Chaffyn Grove close by. Grateley station (London-Waterloo, 82 minutes) is 4? miles away. The rambling, 5,370sq ft former vicarage to nearby Tedworth House dates from 1650, with Georgian and Victorian additions. The rooms all light and spacious include three main reception rooms, a kitchen/breakfast room, a master suite, six further bedrooms and two more bathrooms. The present owners have done wonders during their 10-year tenure, but even more so with the immaculate gardens, which have been their pride and joy. While the army prevails in north Hampshire, the navy holds sway in the south, where Savills (01962 841842) are selling the elegant Glebe House at Newtown, near Wickham, which is handily placed not only for schools and trains, but for Fareham, Portsmouth and the Solent's sailing centres. Formerly the rectory to nearby Holy Trinity Church, Glebe House was built in traditional Georgian style in about 1840. Unusually, the house stands in the middle of its 10 acres of beautifully-maintained gardens and grounds on the edge of the village, thereby providing both privacy and peace of mind. The house is in fine fettle, having been extensively renovated and re-decorated: it has three reception rooms, a playroom, a kitchen/breakfast room, six bedrooms, four bathrooms and a two-bedroom annexe. Even the pickiest viewer will find little cause for concern except, perhaps, the £2.5m asking price. Hampshire has some of the finest old rectories in England, and this week sees the early launch on the market of surely one of the best examples, the idyllic, Grade II*-listed Mildmay House, on the banks of the Itchen at Twyford, four miles south of Winchester. Twyford vicars have lived on the site of Mildmay House for more than 600 years, including, in 1346, Roger de Penne, who is mentioned in verse by Chaucer. The original medieval structure would have been a timber-framed two-storey building, part of which can still be seen in the present kitchen. The elegant Queen Anne front is thought to have been added by Walter Mildmay (vicar from 1701 to 1746), a younger member of the Mildmay family of nearby Shawford Park, who held the living of Twyford. For 22 years, Mildmay House has been the much-cherished family home of its present owners, who have carefully adapted the exquisite, 5,156sq ft house for modern family living. It now has accommodation on three floors, including a reception hall, four reception rooms, a snug, a breakfast room, a master suite, five/six further bedrooms and three further bath/shower rooms. The walled grounds of just under an acre include a separate coach house, workshops, stabling, a garage and lovely formal gardens overlooking Twyford's water-meadows and the ancient landscapes of Shawford Down and St Catherine's Hill. Knight Frank (020-7629 8171) are seeking offers in excess of £2.8m for this classic Queen Anne gem. Search for Properties for sale in Hampshire