Wormington, Broadway

Revel in all the tranquil delights of a country lifestyle within this Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty while residing just a few miles from the popular centres of Broadway and Winchcombe with their choice of shops, pubs, restaurants and leisure options.  It would suit anyone looking for a characterful home in the country and is also a perfect turnkey property for weekenders escaping the city bustle.

This handsome three-bedroomed detached and Grade II Listed home dates back to the 17th century and brims with heritage features such as ceiling beams, flagstones, exposed stone walls and grand fireplaces.  A two-storey extension has created a superb farmhouse kitchen/breakfast room with, above, an en-suite bathroom and dressing room for the principal bedroom – the latter could double as an occasional bedroom if desired.

Externally impressive in black and white timbered Tudor style, oak front door opens into a simply beautiful entrance hall that showcases all the period facets found throughout.  As well as the kitchen/breakfast room there’s also an elegant drawing room and cosy sitting room.  The staircase rises to a landing that’s big enough to be useful - perhaps as a study or a peaceful library and reading nook - as well as the three double bedrooms and a large family bathroom.

The gardens encompass manicured lawns and well-stocked borders and there’s an extra-special bonus just a short distance down the lane at Little Meadow - half-an-acre of paddock complete with summerhouse and decking overlooking the gently flowing River Isbourne!

And that’s not all!  The clutch of outbuildings are all usefully engaged - the largest as a studio/gym with garden office, warmed by a wood burner, plus log store, and another as a utility room for the laundry appliances, and a separate WC.  There’s also a double garage, single carport with electric charging point and parking space for five cars.

A charming country cottage full of delights

Bankside is the perfect home in the country - 2,732 sq ft of flexible space to make your very own.  It’s located off a country lane with a five-bar gate opening onto the gravel driveway and a paved path to the front door.

The gorgeous entrance hall offers a breathtaking introduction to Bankside, oozing period charm wherever you look.  It’s even better in the winter months when there’s a fire blazing in the huge inglenook fireplace – it still has the original bread oven too.

To the left lies the refined double-aspect drawing room, a beamed haven of calm with rustically aged elm floorboards and an elegant stone fireplace with wood burner as the warming focus.  On the other side of the entrance hall is the sitting room, again with a duo of windows admitting plenty of light, wood burner, exposed Cotswold stone wall and flagstone floor.  It would also make a lovely formal dining room for those who like to entertain.

If you’ve ever craved a farmhouse kitchen, then Bankside’s defines the genre perfectly.  It’s the convivial hub of the home, full of country charm and warmth thanks to the four-oven AGA tucked into a bricked inglenook.

The great outdoors

A lovingly maintained garden is always something to cherish, and that’s what you’ll find at Bankside. South-westerly facing, this lovely English country garden features a sweeping expanse of lawn, apple trees, yew hedging and specimen topiary alongside borders crammed with roses, clematis, wisteria, lilies and hollyhocks.

It’s all pretty as a picture and ideal for entertaining with a paved terrace for summertime barbecues or pre-dinner drinks.  A smaller patch of lawn to the right of the house is the place for sunbeds and relaxing with a book.

Stroll down the lane to Little Meadow to chill out beside the river – sling a hammock between the trees and relax with a glass of fizz while the children play cricket or football.  There’s also a nice big summerhouse, a vegetable patch, fruit trees and raspberry canes.

Round and about

Wormington may be small, but the friendly community has a busy diary of events that you can dip in or out of as pleased, organised by Wormington Village Society.  These include Easter egg hunts, picnics, cheese and wine evenings, barbecues and quizzes.

The nearest place to pick up groceries and other essentials is the village shop in Toddington (3.5 miles) and it’s just another half mile to the ‘Jewel of the Cotswolds’, the picturesque village of Broadway where there’s a small supermarket, butchers, health centre, chemist and library alongside a fantastic array of shops – everything from a deli and wine shop to fashion boutiques, galleries and bakery – as well as foodie pubs and gourmet restaurants such as the consistently excellent Russells.

There’s always something happening in Broadway – art exhibitions, food festival, vintage car show and magical Christmas lights with late night shopping.

It’s a couple of miles to the nearest primary schools, Sedgeberrow CE and Isbourne Valley, and a little further to the secondary schools – Bredon Hill Academy and Winchcombe School.  Private schooling abounds within a ten-mile radius too and includes Berkhampstead, St Edward’s, Ashley Manor Prep, Bredon School and Cheltenham College.

When it comes to countryside pursuits then Wormington can’t be beaten. This Area of Outstanding Beauty is suitably breathtaking and criss-crossed with footpaths and tracks. If bike rides with the children or long walks with the dogs is your desire, then you are in the perfect spot!

Wormington is well located for larger cultural and shopping centres too such as Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon.  For commuters, junction 9 of the M5 is nine miles away at Tewkesbury and it’s 40 miles to Birmingham and 48 miles to Bristol.  At Evesham, eight miles, there are mainline trains to London Paddington while Birmingham and Bristol trains run from Ashchurch, nine miles.