Seechem Manor Rowney Green Lane | Alvechurch | Worcestershire
SEECHEM MANOR Seechem Manor is a wonderful historic property of captivating charm that encapsulates all that is best within a much loved family home. Set within ancient parkland and an estate that extends to some 15.2 acres and includes two separate residential annexes, Seechem offers tremendous scope for a thriving family with space for staff and guests alike.
The long driveway gently rising to the main house, framed in the trees, is a truly magical entrance befitting a listed house of such stature. The accommodation has evolved into a subtle mix of period elements and contempory style allowing for a lifestyle that makes the most of the property’s rural setting, amongst the undulating landscape of Worcestershire; yet remaining within close proximity to the motorway network and wider world. The principle elevations to Seechem Manor screen the traditional courtyard to the rear, off which may be found a variety of traditional red brick buildings that encompass the detached cottage and further one bedroom annexe, along with unconverted space that may provide further potential. The central hardstanding offers generous parking and this unique range of buildings are beautifully complemented by the established, stocked and tended, surrounding gardens with sweeping lawns, ornamental planting and pond. There are also more productive soft and hard fruit trees and both herb and kitchen garden.
On entering the gothic style stucco porch, the hall offers direct access to the dining room with its bay window taking in the parkland beyond. Off the hall a snug leads into the drawing room. This is a magnificent room, created from converting a former cow byre, and a natural space for hosting guests and entertaining. The study may be found beyond. The sitting room, at the heart of Seechem Manor, retains its ancient inglenook fireplace with carved mantle detail and flagstone hearth.
The kitchen, with its four oven AGA and central granite topped island, is the working hub of the Manor. A room steeped in details that provide clues to the house’s long and illustrious past yet retaining its homely charm and functionality. The breakfast area complements the kitchen as a casual dining space and leads on to the impressive oak framed garden room via the utility space and cloakroom.
Seller Insight Set within approximately 15.5 acres of glorious countryside and having an entire book written about it, including evidence of Henry VIII having possibly stayed at the Manor, Mr. and Mrs. Sethia have lived in this historic property for the last 20 years. “With so much history and the wonderful location we were instantly attracted to the property” says Mrs. Sethia. “We had a young family that we wanted to bring up in a rural setting. Seechem Manor has been a perfect family home as it offers the rural location and a friendly village environment, whilst being in easy reach of Birmingham, Stratford-uponAvon and, of course, the beautiful countryside.” Much of the house has original flooring, beautiful beams and large open inglenook fireplaces. The oak room on the first floor retains oak panelling installed by Colonel Thomas Millward who was in Oliver Cromwell’s army. The magnificent oak panelled ‘grand chamber’ complete with King Pin has far reaching views from the window down the front field. The kitchen, with the granite salting tray, original bread oven, meat hooks, exposed beams and a wonderful Aga is the heart of this family home. “During the colder months I love “the barn” comments Mrs Sethia. “Having originally been a cattle barn, we renovated it to create a warm, open room with exposed beams and a log burning fire, perfect for entertaining. In the summer months, the light, airy conservatory with underfloor heating is an ideal room to enjoy the beautiful gardens it sits within.” “We have so many wonderful memories as a family of our time at Seechem Manor,” continues Mrs Sethia “from summer barbeques on the patio, with friends sitting around the burner until late with fire torches scattered on the lawn to fabulous family Christmas’ with lively Christmas Eve parties where we hosted half of the local village in the barn! We also hosted our daughter’s wedding here - truly the wedding of the decade!” “We are moving because the time has come for us to downsize, but we really will miss everything about this fantastic property.”
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.
The principle bedroom accommodation over the top two floors of Seechem Manor, provides for no less than six bedrooms. The current main suite is accessed via a private stairway from the kitchen whilst the balance of the bedrooms are from the main stairwell. The layout may be described as both flexible and generous. All of the rooms enjoy open country views.
OUTSIDE The Seechem Manor Estate extends to some 15.2 acres (16.1 Ha) in all with mature parkland, field enclosure, established gardens and hardstanding. The cottage comprises a ground floor sitting room, kitchen and bathroom with bedroom to the first floor. The further annexe also comprises a sitting room, kitchen and bedroom with bathroom off. Significant secondary accommodation includes extensive storage space, games area and wine store. There is also a timber framed car port, potting shed and greenhouse.
ALVECHURCH Alvechurch is a large village within the Bromsgrove district located to the north-east of the county of Worcestershire. Lying in the valley of the River Arrow, the nearest city is Birmingham to the north (11 miles), with the closest towns being Redditch, to the south (5 miles) and Bromsgrove to the west (6 miles). From the 19th century to the mid twentieth century there was a brick factory in the hamlet of Withybed on the edge of the village. Other local industries included nail and needlemaking. Dellow cars were made in Alvechurch between 1949 and 1956. The village centre has a number of medieval half-timbered buildings, as well as a plethora of Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian buildings and is a designated conservation area. There are also many newer buildings including a first and middle school with library and an attractive Arts & Crafts style Baptist church in the centre of the village. The two schools, Crown Meadow First School and Alvechurch Church of England Middle School, cater for children from Reception age to Year 8. There is also a renowned local amateur dramatic society which produces two plays per year at the village hall. Alvechurch is host to good transport links of all types including, by road, the north/ south A441 and the east/west M42, by rail, the Redditch/Lichfield cross-city service, and by canal, the Worcester Birmingham canal. The river Arrow flows from its source in the nearby Lickey Hills through Alvechurch and out towards Alcester. The village is surrounded by Hob, Scarfield, Coopers, Hopwood, Wast, Weatheroak and Newbourne Hills.
WORCESTERSHIRE One of the smallest counties in the UK, Worcestershire is a rural area of the Midlands, bordering Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. To the west, the county is bordered by the Malvern Hills and the spa town of Malvern. The southern part of the county is bordered by Gloucestershire and the northern edge of the Cotswolds; to the east is Warwickshire. There are two major rivers flowing through the county, the Severn and the Avon, as well as the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. Excluding Worcester itself, the largest town in the county is Redditch; other principal settlements are Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Evesham, Kidderminster and Malvern. The north-east of Worcestershire includes part of the industrial West Midlands conurbation, while the rest of the county is largely rural. The county is known for its links to the traditional British past time of Morris Dancing as well as being the birthplace of composer Edward Elgar and the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien’s renowned books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Places of interest include Croome Court, Hanbury Hall, Broadway Tower, West Midlands Safari Park, The Worcester Porcelain Museum and The Forge Mill Needle Museum. 
Location This property sits in a wonderfully secluded location off Rowney Green Lane in Rowney Green, a small rural village situated between Redditch and Birmingham. To the south, the village of Alvechurch is approximately 2.5 miles away - a route which falls from the top of the hill at Newbourne Wood, to the valley floor containing the River Arrow. On its western fringe is the hidden hamlet of Withybed Green, in which The Crown public house sits alongside the Birmingham to Worcester Canal. To the north of Rowney Green, following the bridle path past Seechem Equestrian Centre and Riding School, is the single-track Roman Road Icknield Street, which, travelling north takes you to The Coach and Horses, renowned for its vast range of traditional beers and wholesome food. The Goat & Trousers, fondly known as the “G&T”, is run by the villagers and opens on Friday evenings. The Peace Memorial Village Hall provides a focal point for village social life. Peck Wood, on the south side of the settlement, contains an outdoor pursuit centre. Visitors to the centre make extensive use of public footpaths and bridleways within the immediate area. Motorways The M42 (J2) is 4 miles away for onward access west to the M5 (South West and North) and east to the M6 (North and South East) and M40 (South East and the capital). Railway Stations Alvechurch Railway station which is approximately 2.5 miles away provides a direct link to Birmingham New Street Station. A daily bus service through Rowney Green, connects with Alvechurch, Bromsgrove and Redditch.
ROWNEY GREEN WORCESTERSHIRE • 112 miles from London • Easy access to M42, M5, M40 • Local train links: Alvechurch, Barnt Green, Bromsgrove, Birmingham New Street
Airports There is a station at Alvechurch (2.3 miles) for the recently electrified “crosscity” line to central Birmingham culminating at Lichfield. Access to the London may be from Birmingham International (17 miles) or Warwick Parkway (21 miles).
Fine & Country West Midlands Registered in England and Wales. Company Reg No. 04018410 l VAT Reg No: 754062833 Registered Office: Newman Property Services, 1 Regent Street, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 2PE
M40
Agents Notes Grade II Listed Gas Fired Central Heating
Dn
S
Bedroom 5.60 x 4.42 18'4 x 14'6
N
Cottage First Floor Kitchen 2.67 x 2.60 8'9 x 8'6
Store
Mains Water to Private Drainage System Bedroom 6 3.95 x 3.02 13'0 x 9'11
2.74 x 2.00 9'0 x 6'7
Wine Store 4.56 x 2.30 15'0 x 7'7
Sitting Room 5.60 x 4.37 18'4 x 14'4
Oil Tank
Store
Mains Electric
Garden Room 5.35 x 3.50 17'7 x 11'6
Dn 5.23 x 3.14 17'2 x 10'4
3.67 x 2.62 12'0 x 8'7
Bedroom 5 4.85 x 3.15 15'11 x 10'4
Cottage & Annexe are currently let on AST agreements Store 4.30 x 1.58 14'1 x 5'2
Cottage Ground Floor Kitchen 5.96 x 4.87 19'7 x 16'0
Sitting Room 4.92 x 2.40 16'2 x 7'10
Local Authority Bromsgrove District Council
Master Bedroom 6.00 x 3.85 19'8 x 12'8 Dn
Carport 5.30 x 4.36 17'5 x 14'4
Council Tax Band H Viewing Arrangements
Up
Bedroom 4.88 x 3.54 16'0 x 11'7
Dn
Games Room 7.84 x 4.94 25'9 x 16'2
Store 4.92 x 3.92 16'2 x 12'10
Strictly via the vendors sole agents Fine & Country on
Carport (Not Shown In Actual Location / Orientation)
Sitting Room 5.82 x 4.30 19'1 x 14'1
0121 746 6400
Bedroom 3 5.76 x 4.04 18'11 x 13'3
Opening Hours Monday to Friday 8:30am – 6:30pm
Dn Workshop 4.93 x 2.56 16'2 x 8'5
Annexe First Floor
Annexe Ground Floor (Not Shown In Actual Location / Orientation)
Study 4.72 x 3.29 15'6 x 10'10
the house
Freehold
Second Floor
B
Up
Public footpath and bridleway cross the estate, away from
Tenure
Breakfast Room 3.89 x 3.80 12'9 x 12'6
Up
Kitchen 2.51 x 2.40 8'3 x 7'10
Telephone/Broadband
Up
Snug 3.06 x 3.00 10'0 x 9'10
Saturday 9:00am – 4:00pm
Up
Dining Room 5.38 x 5.69 17'8 x 18'8 Reception Hall
Dn
Bedroom 4 3.68 x 2.91 12'1 x 9'7
Bedroom 2 5.86 x 5.74 19'3 x 18'10
Sunday viewings/appointments available Approximate Gross Internal Area Main House: 460 sq m / 4952 sq ft Annexe: 118 sq m / 1271 sq ft
Drawing Room 10.10 x 4.72 33'2 x 15'6
Cottage: 82 sq m / 882 sq ft
First Floor
Store: 7 sq m / 75 sq ft
IN
Total: 667 sq m / 7180 sq ft
Ground Floor
Illustration for identification purposes only. Measurements are approximate only.
FLOORPLANZ © 2016 0845 6344080 Ref: 162971 This plan is for layout guidance only. Drawn in accordance with RICS guidelines. Not drawn to scale unless stated. Windows & door openings are approximate. Whilst every care is taken in the preparation of this plan, please check all dimensions, shapes & compass bearings before making any decisions reliant upon them.
Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in metric with imperial equivalents 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 23/05/2016
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