Ogbourne St. Andrew, Marlborough

MARPHET COTTAGE

Marphet Cottage is a beautifully presented period thatched cottage situated in the charming downland village of Ogbourne St. Andrew, 2 miles north of Marlborough. The ancient Ridgeway is within easy reach for walking, cycling, horse riding and the local community-owned pub Silks on the Downs has recently re-opened offering delicious food and a warm welcome.

There are both pre and primary schools in the neighbouring village of Ogbourne St. George and the village is in the catchment for St John’s Marlborough. Private schooling provided by Pinewood, Marlborough College, St. Francis, Dauntsey’s and both St. Margaret’s and St. Mary’s Calne.

KEY FEATURES

Ground Floor:

With character and beautifully designed interiors everywhere you look, Marphet Cottage offers spacious rooms on the ground floor. The substantial drawing room is flooded with natural light thanks to the French windows that lead onto the garden. The original oak beams and inglenook fireplace provide attractive features and the cottage is thought to date back to the 18th century. The delightful country kitchen and breakfast room features a Total Control Electric Aga and has space for a farmhouse kitchen table, the ideal spot for entertaining family and friends. There’s a useful utility room and pantry off the kitchen, with a further sink and a great place to house the washing machine and tumble dryer. Overall, the presentation is superb and is certainly reflective of the time, effort and thought that have gone into renovating this charming home.

SELLER INSIGHT

Our favourite room of the house is the kitchen. When we first visited the house 15 years ago, we opened the door and looked at each other knowing that this was the perfect family kitchen we’d been searching for. Large enough for us to get together with family and friends. It has been the perfect place for parties, which normally spill out to the garden or living room, but also for coming together as a family during the day with a nice hot drink, and freshly baked cakes from the Aga.

When we look at the house, we still feel like it’s the chocolate box cottage of our dreams, and we’ll be sorry to leave it behind. Because of its age and the period features, the inglenook, the beams and what we call the huggable chimney… the house gives out love and does give us that cosy feeling every day. We feel that this is because we’ve loved the cottage back. We’d ideally like to hand it to someone else who can add their love to the place and enjoy Marphet for the beautiful home it has become.

We love different things about Marphet. Firstly, the house protects you from the British weather. You can’t hear when it’s raining because of the thatch. In the summer, the thick walls keep the house cool, and in the Winter they retain the heat… You actually need to look out of the windows to find out what the weather is doing. But secondly, we were looking for an old cosy thatched house, preferably with original beams. The trouble is that one of us is six foot two, and most old places we looked at had low ceilings. The living room is full of the original beams we love, but they’re the perfect height so we don’t have to duck.

We are blessed with being part of multiple communities, which you can join in with as much (or little) as you like. The lovely people of Ogbourne St Andrew and Maisey regularly get together for fetes, open air theatre productions, church events, and of course in the community pub… but Marlborough also has a thriving social scene with regular events for the community at large, which you can stroll home from along the cycle path. The local schools also have a strong community spirit.

Marphet Cottage is on the main road north of Marlborough, we’re 8 miles from the M4, so can drive to Reading, Bath, Bristol, or Salisbury within an hour, Heathrow, Cardiff, the south coast beaches, Dorset and North Devon coastlines are only a little further… but we’ve also commuted from here daily to London on the train for work, and regularly use the train to go to shows or events in both capitals. The national cycle network runs along the disused railway just over the road, which goes between Swindon and Marlborough. but by crossing our private bridge over the River Og, you can also follow the paths up the gallops leading up onto the downs and the ridgeway path.

When we found Marphet, we realised that it offers the best mix of privacy and community. With so many amenities on the doorstep, pub, restaurants, schools, sports facilities etc and one of the top 10 high streets in the UK. The house offers a lovely place for happy people to thrive, and the outdoor space found through the back door is a wonderful place to call home.*

* 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.

KEY FEATURES

First Floor:

The character continues upstairs, be that in the exposed stone walls, beautiful wood floors or wonderful views from the bedrooms to the fields behind. There are 4 good-sized double bedrooms alongside a large dressing room and family bathroom. The main bedroom benefits from an ensuite shower room too.

Home Office/Studio:

Providing the ideal home office setup, the annexe has 2 main rooms, and could be appropriate for a variety of uses. The addition of a kitchen and shower room could turn this space into an independent annexe for additional accommodation.

KEY FEATURES

Outside:

The gated and gravelled driveway provides parking for several vehicles and there is a single garage in addition to a traditional thatched wishing well. The gardens have been beautifully kept, with attractive planting in the borders around the lawn, and a selection of fruit trees and shrubs. There’s a summerhouse and greenhouse too. One of the huge benefits is the open view to the fields behind, across the River Og. Being to the West, this view can be the subject of stunning sunsets throughout the year.

Location: Ogbourne St. Andrew is situated on the beautiful Marlborough Downs. The national cycle network running along the old railway line makes getting into Marlborough on foot or by bike very convenient and numerous footpaths and by-ways can be found within moments of the front door, with some stunning scenery. The village is 2 miles north of the ever-popular historic market town of Marlborough and it is difficult to think of many things that Marlborough High Street lacks. Along with being the second widest high street in the UK, it is host to a fantastic range of shops, cafes, restaurants, and public houses which sit side by side with larger national chains, such as Waitrose.

There is a variety of excellent schooling available at all levels, with both pre and primary schools available at Ogbourne St. George, St. John’s Marlborough and the world-famous Marlborough College both within easy reach. The surrounding countryside also is a huge draw to the area, with country walks, bike rides and other outdoor pursuits all readily available. The Marlborough Downs, Savernake Forest, The West Woods, Avebury stone circle, Barbury Castle and many other beauty spots are within easy reach. For transport, the M4 is easily accessible at Junction 15. The railway stations at Swindon, Pewsey and Great Bedwyn offer direct services into London Paddington with the fastest taking under 1hr.

Registered in England and Wales. Company Reg No 12877396

Head Office Address: 121 Park Lane, London W1K 7AG

copyright © 2022 Fine & Country Ltd.

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 10.01.2023

FINE & COUNTRY

Fine & Country is a global network of estate agencies specialising in the marketing, sale and rental of luxury residential property. With offices in over 300 locations, spanning Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia, we combine widespread exposure of the international marketplace with the local expertise and knowledge of carefully selected independent property professionals.

This unique approach to luxury homes marketing delivers high quality, intelligent and creative concepts for property promotion combined with the latest technology and marketing techniques.

We understand moving home is one of the most important decisions you make; your home is both a financial and emotional investment.

Fine & Country appreciates the most exclusive properties require a more compelling, sophisticated and intelligent presentation – leading to a common, yet uniquely exercised and successful strategy emphasising the lifestyle qualities of the property.

With Fine & Country you benefit from the local knowledge, experience, expertise and contacts of a well trained, educated and courteous team of professionals, working to make the sale or purchase of your property as stress free as possible.

The production of these particulars has generated a £10 donation to the Fine & Country Foundation, charity no. 1160989, striving to relieve homelessness. Visit fineandcountry.com/uk/foundation

THE FINE & COUNTRY FOUNDATION

EDWARD TAYLOR

DIRECTOR - MARLBOROUGH AND DEVIZES

follow Fine & Country on Fine & Country

Elcot Mews, Elcot Lane, Marlborough, SN8 2BG 01672 511 211 | edward.taylor@fineandcountry.com