Location

Lower Ratlake Farm, once part of the historic Hursley Park estate, is situated in a delightful rural setting of just under 4 acres of beautifully maintained grounds, nestled between the villages of Hursley and Ampfield. Hursley is a delightful village, offering a range of amenities including a butcher, post office and shop, two public houses, a primary school, church and recreational grounds. Hursley is situated approximately 5 miles to the south-west of Winchester. Ampfield provides a church, a very active village hall, 18 hole (par 3) golf course, hotel with restaurant and a public house. The nearby market town of Romsey, provides comprehensive amenities.

Communications are excellent, with a mainline station at Winchester, Romsey and Southampton and with access to the M3 at Junction 11 (Winchester) or to Junction 4 of the M27 at Rownhams. The M27 gives access to the New Forest and beyond to the west, as well as to Southampton International Airport.

Description

Lower Ratlake Farm is a substantial period farmhouse. The property benefits from a public footpath that lies opposite providing some wonderful walking routes. The property is approached over a winding tarmac driveway, which runs past the cottage known as The Pig Barn, to a large gravel courtyard that lies adjacent to the house and garaging.

The house itself, with its recently fitted timber framed windows, is approached through a front door leading to an entrance hall. However like so many farmhouses, most access the property through a porch and into the kitchen/breakfast room. There is also a back hall dating from 1835. The house has four reception rooms in total, including a good sized drawing room with log burner and patio doors leading out to the south westerly terrace. Double doors from this room lead through to the dining room, with a large open fireplace and south-westerly aspect. There is another spacious living room with double patio doors leading to a west facing terrace and a cosy snug with a wood burner. The kitchen is well fitted with a range of bespoke kitchen units with granite work surfaces and a fitted electric Aga. Planning permission was granted in 2022 to extend the kitchen should one wish to (ref. 22/01497/FULLS). A utility room and ground floor cloakroom complete the ground floor accommodation.

Stairs from both the front and rear halls of the house lead to the first floor. The principal bedroom suite is an excellent size and overlooks the property’s delightful grounds. There is an adjacent bathroom. From the generous first floor landing, there is access to four further bedrooms, a large family bathroom and a large roof terrace.

AGENTS NOTE
An overage will apply to some of the land. Details are with the selling agent.

OUTSIDE
The gardens extend in all to just under 4 acres and are exceptional. There are extensive areas of lawn interspersed with magnificent yew and beech hedgerows and a wealth of specimen trees and shrubs. There is a large south westerly terrace to the rear, perfect for entertaining, a heated swimming pool and hard tennis court.

THE PIG BARN (CONVERTED IN 2019)
The Cottage, known as ‘The Pig Barn,’ is a charming detached open-plan annexe. From the living area, double doors lead out on two sides with those to the side opening on to a small patio style garden. The design of the property is such that the sitting area has a vaulted ceiling with the bedroom overlooking this space. The kitchen is well fitted with a bespoke range of units and appliances and a central island. On the first floor is a double bedroom with an adjoining shower room. There is a wood burning stove, underfloor heating and a ground floor cloakroom.

LOWER RATLAKE FARM BUILDINGS
There is an excellent outbuilding which incorporates a large double garage, single garage, storeroom and storage over. This building could be converted for further accommodation subject to the necessary planning consents and permissions.