Location

The property is situated in the desirable hamlet of Charlton All Saints, approximately three miles from Salisbury, within the Avon Valley. The surrounding Downland countryside and the River Avon offer excellent opportunities for walking and riding. The boundary of the New Forest National Park is located about four miles to the south.

Charlton All Saints maintains close ties with the neighbouring village of Downton, forming a large and active community. Downton provides a range of amenities, including shops, a leisure centre, tennis club, primary and secondary schools, the Borough Café, churches, pubs, a doctor's surgery, and a dental practice.

Salisbury, a historic cathedral city, offers an extensive selection of shops, restaurants, arts venues, and recreational facilities. Rail services from Salisbury to London Waterloo have a journey time of approximately 90 minutes.

Local leisure options include horse racing at Salisbury Racecourse and Wincanton, as well as golf at South Wilts Golf Club, High Post, and Hamptworth. The area is also well known for fishing on the River Avon, the Test, and other local chalk streams.

The A303 provides convenient access to the South West and London via the M3. The M27, approximately 12 miles away, offers routes to Bournemouth, Southampton, and onward to London.
There is a wide choice of schools in the area, including Downton Primary Church of England, The Trafalgar School (secondary), Breamore Primary Church of England, Morgan Vale & Woodfalls Church of England, and the Burgate School and Sixth Form. The region is also served by the well-regarded Bishop Wordsworth's and South Wilts Grammar Schools. Independent schools in the vicinity include Forres Sandle Manor, Clayesmore, Bryanston, Salisbury Cathedral School, Chafyn Grove, and Godolphin.

All distances and travel times are approximate.

Description

The Vicarage is a beautiful Grade II listed house, acquired by the current owners in 2000. They instructed the renowned builders, Moulding, to carry out the complete restoration and refurbishment of this delightful property.

The house was originally commissioned in the 1860s by Horatio Nelson, the 3rd Earl Nelson, and his wife, shortly after the village church (All Saints) in the 1850s. The architect was William Butterfield, a noted Gothic Revival architect known for designing many churches across England, as well as Keble College, Oxford. The house features Flemish bond brickwork with monochrome banding under a red clay tiled roof.

The house is entered through a large arched oak door into a stone-floored hallway, featuring original friezes above the doors. A wood-floored corridor, forming the backbone of the house, leads to the principal rooms. The staircase, with its split landing and integrated bookcase, rises to the first floor, with useful storage beneath.

The sitting room features a beautiful fireplace with a tiled surround, alcove shelving, and an elegant frieze above the fireplace and door. There is a large sash window with a window seat and original shutters, along with a separate French door leading out to the garden.

The large drawing room was extended by Moulding who created the impressive bay window comprising of three large sash windows, all with working shutters. The fireplace has a stone mantelpiece and is flanked by shelving and a cupboard to one side.

The kitchen enjoys wonderful ceiling height and flagstone flooring, complemented by a range of floor-mounted cupboards topped with granite work surfaces. A central island provides additional storage with an oak counter. Appliances include an oil-fired two-door AGA, an electric oven with an induction hob for use during the summer months, a Bosch dishwasher, and an under-counter fridge.

Adjacent to the kitchen is the utility room, which has space for a large American-style fridge freezer, washing machine, and a separate dryer. There is a sink with cupboards beneath and a pantry leading off. A side door provides access to the garden, and the oil-fired boiler is housed in a separate cupboard.

From the kitchen is the conservatory, which is double glazed and has two sets of French doors opening onto the terrace and garden beyond. Leading off the conservatory is a spacious study.

Upstairs, the landing leads to all the main bedrooms. The principal bedroom features vaulted ceilings and a large sash window overlooking the garden and meadows beyond. The Jack and Jill ensuite bathroom includes a bath, sink, WC, and a separate enclosed shower. There are a further three double bedrooms and an eaves cupboard at the end of the corridor. The family bathroom has a bath, twin-sink vanity unit, WC, and a separate enclosed shower.

Outside

The house is approached from Lower Road via a lane enclosed by a walled garden. The gravel driveway provides ample parking for several cars, with gardens extending beyond. The grounds also feature a timber-framed double garage with an adjoining workshop, both fully equipped with power and lighting.

The spectacular gardens are thoughtfully arranged, with elegant yew hedges dividing the space into a series of beautifully landscaped areas. To the west, the tranquil walled garden lies beneath a mature Copper Beech tree with a large oval flower bed, bordered by specimen trees such as Hawthorn and an Acer. The lawn is interspersed with a selection of trees, including a Pocket Handkerchief tree, Holly, Mulberry, Dogwood, various fruit trees, and a striking Yellow Magnolia.

To the east, there are magnificent views across the meadows surrounding the River Avon, which is easily accessible from the house via a nearby footpath.

Directions

Directions (SP5 4HQ)

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