Location

Printers Row nestles within a charming en clave at the very heart of the ancient city of Winchester, off Staple Gardens.
Winchester has a history rooted in the printing and publishing trade with printing in the immediate vicinity believed to date back to 1545. The Jail House was built in 1860 on the site of the 'Debtors Dining Hall', and situated in a location close to the pedestrianised high street and has historically been accessed via hidden walkways and tunnels leading to Jewry Street and the Upper High Street, where prisoners were transported in and out of the city.

Winchester is renowned for its history, culture, and magnificent cathedral, which is surrounded by an abundance of important and notable buildings. The property is within an enviable proximity of the pedestrianised high street (approx. 320 metres) containing a variety of shops, independent boutiques, restaurants, and recreational facilities such as the Theatre Royal, The Arc Discovery Centre and local cinema. There are captivating walks through the cathedral streets past Winchester College and on to St. Catherine's Hill and the water meadows around St Cross, where walkers or cyclists can follow the river Itchen south out of Winchester to local villages.

Winchester has a variety of excellent local schooling including Winchester College, Pilgrims, St Bedes, Westgate, St Swithuns and Twyford School that are all within easy reach.

The city is also very well connected via road and rail to London with Waterloo being around 60 minutes from the Winchester railway station. The M3 allows easy access to London and the South coast connecting with the M27 and Southampton Airport which serves a growing number of destinations worldwide. The A34 to the north provides access to Oxford, the Midlands and the A303 to the West Country.

(All distances and journey times are approximate).

Description

Steeped in local history, this extraordinary five-bedroom property has been meticulously restored into a beautiful home preserving unique and historic charm with architectural integrity. Originally built in the 19th century the property is a rare gem offering versatile city centre living with immaculate interiors, five bedrooms and everyday convenience.

Upon arrival one is welcomed by a vaulted entrance hall with windows flooding the space with natural light. The bespoke kitchen is on the first floor and has been hand finished to the highest standards integrating Miele, Neff and Bora appliances that include an oven, an additional combi oven and microwave, an induction hob and hidden fridge/freezer. There is a brilliant central island and breakfast bar for day-to-day living and a more formal dining area when entertaining. The vaulted sitting room enjoys a westerly aspect and is a particular highlight featuring original beams and a glimpse into the property's past. There is access to the private balcony which provides an idyllic place to entertain, unwind and relax.

The primary suite is generous in its proportions and offers a feeling of opulence and luxury with plenty of built-in storage and a stunning en suite shower room. There are two further bedrooms on the ground floor offering versatility as prospective owners may utilise the space for an office or hobby room. A guest bedroom is situated on the lower ground level along with a family bathroom and an additional bedroom that is currently being utilised as a fantastic gymnasium with a unique ‘baby orangery' lightwell.

The Old Jail House has been beautifully finished throughout with an attention to detail that is rare to find, whether that be the acoustic sound proofing, elegant kitchen or the stylish bathrooms, the property is hard to fault. The current owners have commented “The Old Jail House is a fabulous home to live in, with some lovely stories of days gone by. When the property was an antiques warehouse in the 20th century our living room was the workshop and attracted distinguished shoppers like Elton John, David Frost and Joan Collins to the area (to name a few) commissioning work and purchasing items for their homes”

With a westerly aspect the elevated balcony makes for a wonderful place to entertain or relax. There are wall mounted heaters and lighting that make the space usable all year round. A glass balustrade adds a modern and sleek addition to the building and highlights the beautiful original brickwork. There is a privately owned parking space and a hidden garden featuring a variety of plants and shrubs offering a blast of colour throughout the seasons.