Condicote, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54

INTRODUCTION Glebe Farm House is a lovely period property with a large mature garden and a separate residential annex, located at the centre of the peaceful village of Condicote, amid the beautiful open countryside of the Cotswolds. Returning to the market after an interval of over fifty years, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire an historic family home with a host of period features, yet with the flexible accommodation that can be adapted to the needs of today. THE PROPERTY Glebe Farm House is a Grade-II-listed detached property of traditional Cotswold stone with stone slate roof, occupying an enviable village-centre location overlooking the village green. Dating from the early 18th century, with later 19th century additions, there is a magnificent Yew tree in the garden which points to a former association with the nearby church. Glebe Farm House still retains much of its original appearance, with fine stone flag floors in the downstairs rooms, dado wall panelling, window shutters, and elm floorboards. Having been carefully maintained by the current owners for over 50 years, this lovely house now offers scope for further updating and refurbishment as a comfortable family home. On the Ground Floor A substantial stone-built storm porch leads into the splendid hallway, with its fine stone-flagged floor. To the right is a cosy sitting room with log-burning stove set in a sandstone fire surround, and a charming window seat with views to the front garden. Period details include original window shutters, and wall panelling. Second on the right there is another door that leads to what was formerly the dairy and which is now a utility room and bathroom. To the left of the hallway is the dual-aspect Drawing room, again boasting original panelling and windows retaining authentic shutters. The large open fire, with canopy above, is set beneath an imposing stone fireplace which provides focus to the room. From the Drawing room a door leads through into the Dining room, which also incorporates a cosy snug beside the central chimney stack. Steps on either side of the chimney stack connect to the adjoining Kitchen/breakfast room with, at its heart, the Aga. Along the opposite wall are a range of fitted farmhouse-style cupboards, sink and an electric cooker. From one end of the kitchen paired glazed doors give access to the conservatory, with views in all directions out to the garden on the South side of the house. On the other side of the kitchen a further door leads to the rear lobby with, to the right, the large and very useful walk-in pantry. An outer door gives access from the lobby to the rear of the property. Upstairs The upstairs rooms are arranged around a wide landing, illuminated by a skylight set within a high ceiling, which gives the area a very pleasant sense of space and light. There are five bedrooms, with Bedroom 1 currently used as a study, the remaining four all generously proportioned, especially the largest, Bedroom 4, which again boasts a double height ceiling with a traditional ‘crog loft’sleeping space above. Access to Bedroom 5 is via Bedroom 4, these rooms having been used as a bedroom and adjoining playroom/nursery. Completing the upstairs accommodation is a family bathroom featuring a magnificent cast iron roll-top bath. The Annex To the front of the property is a former agricultural building now stylishly converted to a single dwelling, ideal as secondary accommodation for guests or family members, or as a commercial let. It features an open plan living room with log-burning stove, a kitchen space, and a separate utility, shower room/w.c. Above, there is a mezzanine sleeping area. To the rear of the building, bi-fold doors open out on to a small private garden area overlooking the adjacent fields and the village green. OUTSIDE Glebe Farm House is set within a plot of approximately 0.4 acres, with a mature ‘cottage-style’ garden that surrounds the house on three sides, with East, West and south–facing aspects. The garden has been carefully cultivated by the present owner for over fifty years on a wholly organic basis, and no pesticides or herbicides have been used at Glebe Farm since 1968. There is a pond, and an orchard which boasts a range of heritage varieties of apples and plums, as well as medlar, fig, apricot, walnut, and cobnut, together with a variety of soft fruits including damson, blackberry and mulberry. In times past the owner has also kept bees, and chickens. There are two garages, as well as a further useful outbuilding at the top of the garden, believed once to have been a pig-sty but now serving as a garden store. A variety of storage tanks and water butts harvest rainwater, though there is also a functioning well providing an additional private water supply. There is ample parking to the front and side of the property for 4-5 vehicles. LOCATION The small village of Condicote lies in the beautiful open countryside of the Cotswolds, approximately 3.5 miles from the busy market town of Stow-on-the-Wold. An historic settlement with neolithic and bronze-age origins, Condicote is mentioned in the Domesday book. It now numbers around 50 households, centred around the 800-year-old St Nicholas’ church that stands next to the village green (known as ‘the Pound’). It is a thriving and active community, with the village hall in regular use for social events, especially by Condicote playgroup. A village newsletter is published four times a year and records such events as Jazz Night in the Pound, in July, featuring local musicians. The Produce Show is in September and at the Christmas Party in December, Father Christmas arrives with a present for every child in the village. Condicote is a favourite with BBC film crews and features in several episodes of 'Father Brown' and ‘The Sister Boniface Mysteries'. At the nearby village of Longborough (2 miles away) there is a village shop, primary school, post office and pub, while the amenities, shops and services of Stow itself, including GP, dentist, optician, etc., are only 3.5 miles away. For those looking for more exotic fare, the delights of the Daylesford organic farm shop and spa complex are some 7 miles distant. A range of excellent state and independent schools are within easy reach. A volunteer-run minibus goes to Moreton and Stow twice weekly and there are good local bus services connecting Stow, Cheltenham and Moreton-in-Marsh (5.5mi/8.7k distant), from which latter there are regular train services to London Paddington (journey time approximately 1 hr 30mins). The peaceful surrounding countryside offers ample opportunity for walking and riding and, with every amenity close at hand, Condicote is thus the perfect place in which to settle down.