Walden Estate, West Grimstead, Salisbury, SP5

A most handsome country house with a detached cottage, sitting in a private position and surrounded by about 42 acres of garden, pasture and woodland.

Description

WALDEN HOUSE
Nestled within the picturesque countryside, Walden House has over 42 acres of land without any public rights of way and stands as a testament to timeless elegance. Built in 1934 of brick under a tiled roof, although not listed, the house has an interesting provenance and embodies the refined characteristics of the late Edwardian era. With its attractive architecture and an impressive array of over 60 windows, Walden House remains bathed in natural light, casting a bright atmosphere even on the gloomiest of days. The current owners have been at Walden since 2004 and consider it to be a lovely family home.

Stepping through the front door, you are welcomed into the reception hall which seamlessly leads into the generous drawing room, where there is an inviting open fireplace and three sets of French doors that open onto the garden terrace. There is an interconnecting door with the double aspect kitchen/breakfast room with a range of units with integrated appliances and a Lacanche cooker. A central island divides the kitchen area with the breakfast area and there is a wood burner which forms a focal point to the room. Two further sets of French doors connect the kitchen to the garden as well. A door leads to the adjoining living room, ideal for those with younger children.

The western wing of the house offers a range of incredibly useful rooms and space vital for a house of this size. Beyond the kitchen is the utility room with ample storage. There is also a shower room, boiler room and general store room. The large boot room is perfect for everyday use and provides everyday access to the parking area. Completing this part of the house is the wine store.

The reception hall also leads to the eastern wing with the splendid dining room that enjoys natural light streaming through four windows and a pair of French doors that provide access to a covered terrace and gardens. Beyond is a study, linking through to the games room/gym. There is also a further WC. These rooms interlink well and provide spaces for both work and play.

The first floor accommodation all leads off from a superb landing, running across the full width of the house. The generous principal bedroom has a spacious and fitted dressing room, an ensuite bathroom, and a southerly-facing roof terrace; this is accessible from both the bedroom and bathroom and ideal for enjoying picturesque sunrises.

There are five additional bedrooms and two bathrooms, one ensuite to bedroom 3 and the other accessible from bedroom 2 and the landing. There is a further shower room off the landing. A further staircase leads to the second floor, where there is a living room/bedroom, a further bedroom, a bathroom, and a utility room which could easily become a kitchen. This floor provides enormous flexibility and ideal for an element of independent space for au pair/nanny accommodation.

NIGHTJAR COTTAGE
Located the other side of the drive to the main house is a detached cottage, ideal for extended family, a dependant relative or income generation purposes. The cottage features an inviting open-plan kitchen/dining/sitting room which leads to a private garden through French doors. On the ground floor, there is a rear hall/utility room, cloakroom and a bathroom. There is also a study room with French doors to the garden and leads to a ground floor bedroom. At first floor level, the main bedroom has an en suite bathroom.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS
Walden House is accessible via two driveways. The main drive is from Clarendon Road to the north and sweeps down to the house through woodland. The main entrance opens up to a majestic tree-lined drive leading up to the front of the house and a large gravelled parking area to the side. Surrounded by its own land, Walden House boasts a blend of landscaped gardens that wrap around the house and are accessible from many of the rooms, with lush pasture beyond and enchanting woodlands. The pasture could accommodate horses and if stables and a riding arena were required, there is a large hardstanding area behind the walled garden which could accommodate this (subject to the necessary consents).

There is ample parking for the main house close to the boot room where there is a double garage that now houses the biomass boiler and associated plant and stores. A substantial timber outbuilding is also located within the garden of Nightjar Cottage and is presently used as a garage and for machine storage.

Beyond the drive, is a magnificent walled garden which extends to about 1 acre of beautifully tended grounds. Within this secluded area lies a tennis court and a swimming pool with pool house and terrace, ideal for barbecues and entertaining throughout the day. There is also a productive kitchen garden and small orchard. This delightful setting provides a peaceful backdrop for outdoor recreation and relaxation, making Walden House the perfect destination for country living.

The lack of any public access makes it extremely private, despite being in such an accessible location. The property sits within its land that totals about 42.7 acres.

Location

Salisbury 5 miles, (London Waterloo from 1 hr 27 mins), Grateley Train Station 9.5 miles (London Waterloo from 80 minutes), Stockbridge 11 miles, Southampton 20 miles, Winchester 26 miles (All distances and times approximate)

Walden House is situated on the outskirts of West Grimstead, approximately 5 miles southeast of the picturesque Cathedral city of Salisbury. Salisbury boasts a diverse array of amenities, including shops, supermarkets, restaurants, cultural venues, and recreational facilities, as well as being well placed for Salisbury District Hospital. The renowned Test Valley town of Stockbridge is 11 miles to the northeast, with an array of bespoke restaurants, pubs, cafes and shops.

The region is renowned for its excellent schooling options, both state and private, with institutions including Bishops Wordsworth, South Wilts Grammar School, Chafyn Grove, Salisbury Cathedral School, Sandroyd, Farleigh, Godolphin, Dauntseys and Embley. For those seeking even more options, slightly further afield, there are schools such as Port Regis, Canford, Winchester College, Marlborough College, Bryanston, and Sherborne Schools.

Racing enthusiasts can enjoy events at Salisbury Racecourse and Wincanton, while golfers can indulge in rounds at Remedy Oak, Highpost and South Wilts golf courses. There is an abundance of fishing opportunities along the rivers Test, Itchen, Avon, Nadder and surrounding chalk streams. The property is just outside the northern boundary of New Forest, which offers plenty of opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast, with riding, walking and camping options. The south coast is a mecca for sailors and is about a 45 minute drive from the property.

Convenient transport links include the nearby A36 and A27 leading towards the M27 and south coast. To the north, the A303 provides access to the South West and London via the M3. Southampton and Bournemouth international airports are easily accessible by car. Grateley offers direct train services to London Waterloo (from 80 minutes), while Salisbury to Exeter is just a two-hour journey to the west.

Walden House offers the perfect blend of rural tranquility and convenient access to a wealth of amenities and transport links.

Square Footage: 6,835 sq ft


Acreage: 42.72359 Acres

Directions

DIRECTIONS – SP5 3RJ
From the principal northern drive off Clarendon Road:
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From the secondary southern drive off Green Drove, Walden House is the last house at the end of the drive:
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Additional Info

METHOD OF SALE : The Freehold of Walden House and Nightjar Cottage are available for sale by private treaty with vacant possession on completion.

SERVICES : Mains water and electricity. Two heating systems comprising biomass and oil-fired boilers for Walden House, and biomass and LPG for Nightjar Cottage. Private drainage (waste treatment plant). Bottled LPG for kitchen range. Fibre brandband to the property and satellite TV.

AGENTS’ NOTE : The biomass boiler is within the RHI Scheme and receives annual payments. There is a right of access over part of the driveway from Clarendon Road to Little Walden. There is a covenant restricting the erection of new buildings on a paddock to the west of the walled garden. There are shared contributions to the maintenance and upkeep of the driveways.

LOCAL AUTHORITY : Wiltshire Council

OUTGOINGS : Walden House – Council Tax Band H. Nightjar Cottage – Council Tax Band E.

FIXTURES & FITTINGS : Please note that, unless specifically mentioned, all fixtures and fittings and garden ornaments are excluded from the sale.

VIEWINGS : Strictly by appointment with sole agents Savills.