Fordingbridge, Hampshire

HEATHCOTE

Set in the picturesque New Forest village of Frogham on the outskirts of Fordingbridge, this lovely home benefits from being right on the edge of open forest, yet close to convenient local amenities.

KEY FEATURES

Built in 2015 in a traditional country cottage style the house is immaculate throughout and has plenty of character and rural charm.

The property is approached via a timber gate that provides access to the spacious driveway providing plenty of parking along with a shed and a garage which has been partially converted into a home gym.

The main accommodation is spacious and flexibly arranged. The ground floor is open plan with an attractive cottage-style kitchen with cream Shaker units, wooden worktops and a central island offering informal seating and extra storage and worktop space. There is a traditional electric Aga in cream enamel and pretty blue and white tiled splashbacks.

A utility room with garden access and a cloakroom with w/c sit behind the kitchen. Should an incoming purchaser wish to have internal access from the main house to the annex, then this could be achieved by opening the utility room wall which adjoins the sitting room of the annex.

To the opposite side of the house there is a cosy lounge area with log burner and feature fire surround. There are plenty of choices for further lounge and dining zones with three further reception areas along the back of the property, each with French door access into the garden. Plenty of glazing ensures the spaces are light and airy with beautiful views over the garden and the forest beyond.

Throughout there is wooden flooring throughout and lots of attractive exposed oak beams. Upstairs there are four double-sized bedrooms and a family bathroom. The principal suite benefits from an impressive, vaulted ceiling with exposed rafters, a beautifully appointed ensuite bathroom, and a balcony overlooking miles and miles of open countryside. To the rear, there is a south-facing garden that catches the sun all day and includes a patio, lawned area and a summerhouse.

SELLER INSIGHT

Built in 2015, this stunning home, which boasts a two-bedroom annex and a large garden with direct access onto the New Forest, occupies a much sought after location in the charming village of Frogham.

“We’d always wanted to live in Frogham, and more specifically on Abbotswell Road, simply because a number of properties enjoy direct access onto the forest,” says the owner. “Nothing was coming up for sale, so we sold our house and rented in the area in the hope that something would become available. Then one day Heathcote came onto the market. Sadly, the original house was unmortgageable, but the location couldn’t have been more perfect, and we therefore found ourselves in the unique position of being able to build our dream home in our dream location.”

“The planners were quite strict. They didn’t want anything too modern in terms of the external design so we enlisted the help of Border Oak, an award-winning company that specialise in the construction of bespoke oak framed houses. Externally the house has all the character of a traditional forest home, but it was built using SIPs so it’s incredibly well insulated and therefore very energy efficient. Inside, our brief to the architects was to create a jolly, friendly house, quite modern but with no ‘hard edges’. The result is an open, free-flowing layout with oak flooring, which gives a real warmth, and fixtures and fittings the style of which I’d describe as a modern take on traditional design. The house has all the cosiness of a cottage, but it’s also very spacious and bright and has all the comforts of a modern home; it’s been a joy to live here.”

“The house sits on a generous plot, and as well as a large driveway to the font, we’ve also created four areas of wildflower meadow grass, which are an absolute picture throughout the spring and summer months. To the rear of the house is a large patio, which can be accessed via three sets of French doors, and the rest of the garden is laid to lawn. Natural hedging provides a boundary to the forest, but it’s low so we’re able to enjoy far-reaching views. However, what we love most is the fact that we can step out of our little gate and walk or cycle for miles through the forest without ever encountering a road.”

“Frogham is a lovely village with a strong sense of community. There’s a nice pub just a short walk up the road, a village hall which is a hive of activity, and we’re only a couple of miles from Fordingbridge so all the things needed on a day to day basis are easy to access. However, our favourite aspect of the location has to be our proximity to the forest. It’s a location that would be really hard to better.”

“We’ve loved living in this house,” says the owner. “It’s such a relaxing, comfortable, homely place to be. And the setting is wonderful; I’ve often said that living here is like being on a permanent holiday.”*

* These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.

We love all of it. However, the sitting area, which forms part of the open-plan kitchen, is a lovely place to be. It’s glazed on three sides so it’s a place where we can sit and enjoy the view of the forest whatever the weather; it’s particularly cosy when we have the wood burner roaring away on a cold winter’s day.”

The annex is a superb feature of the property, it’s completely self contained and a really good size. My mother-in-law currently lives i n it and it’s been wonderful to have her so close, but at the same time for her to enjoy independence and privacy.”

KEY FEATURES

In addition, there is a two-bedroom self-contained annex connecting to the main house via the utility room. This could be ideal for multigenerational living or offer income potential as a holiday or long-term rental. The annex has its own front door to the side and consists of an open plan kitchen/living/dining room with French doors out onto its own private stretch of rear garden. There is a ground floor bathroom and double sized bedroom with a further bedroom on the first floor.

Registered in England and Wales. Company Reg No. 08974309

Registered Office: 4 Brackley Close, Bournemouth International Airport, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6SE

copyright © 2023 Fine & Country Ltd.

INFORMATION

If you are looking for a rural idyll (with a highly regarded local pub just around the corner!) Heathcote could be the ideal home for you. Tranquil, quiet and backing onto miles of countryside at the edge of the New Forest this charming property must be viewed!

Services

Private Drainage Air Source Heat Pump

Council Tax Band: F

EPC Rating: C

Tenure: Freehold Guide price £1,500,000

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Printed 05.04.2023

FINE & COUNTRY

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