Location

Aycote House sits within a privileged setting on the edge of the Churn Valley, adjacent to open countryside and in a small hamlet known as Eycote. The property enjoys breath-taking views which takes in four counties; Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire. Rendcomb village is across the valley and supports a shop/post office, village hall, doctor's surgery and church. Further local amenities are situated in Colesbourne, where there is a petrol station with a shop/post office, pub, as well as an active church. There is also a pub, church and primary school in North Cerney.

Motorway links to the M5 at Junction 11a and for the M4 at Swindon East, Junction 15. There are direct rail services to London Paddington from Kemble (trains from 70 minutes) or Swindon (from 55 minutes).

Well-known schools in the area include Beaudesert prep school, Cheltenham Ladies College, Cheltenham College, Westonbirt, Dean Close and Pates Grammar as well as many highly regarded primary and secondary schools.
This part of the Cotswolds has many sporting facilities including golf at Cheltenham and Cirencester, polo at Cirencester Park, hunting with the Cotswold Hunt and National Hunt racing at Cheltenham. There are numerous footpaths and bridleways within the locality. Cirencester (6 miles) and Cheltenham (10 miles) both have an extensive range of shops together with many other services. Cheltenham is well known for its culture including the literary, science and music festivals.

Description

Aycote House is an important Grade II listed property which was built in 1931 by the distinguished Arts and Crafts architect Norman Jewson. The house is notable for its many excellent character features including stone mullioned windows, a beautifully crafted staircase leading to a galleried landing, beamed ceilings, open fireplaces and original doors, some with brass fittings understood to have originated in Leeds Castle. The house is featured in a number of literary works, including The Buildings of England: The Cotswolds, 1979 (D. Verey). The tall ceilings and generous proportions create an elegant feel, and the layout is versatile, with a selection of reception rooms providing a variety of uses for both formal and informal entertaining.

The 7400 sq ft accommodation includes a large reception hallway, a formal dining room with window seat and a corner fireplace; an impressive drawing room with a fine stone fireplace, high beamed ceiling and polished oak floor. The sitting room includes a stone fireplace and built in drinks cupboard. A study/snug links with the kitchen which includes a gas fired AGA, extensive cabinetry and benefits from underfloor heating. Off to the rear hall there is a cloakroom, utility/boot room, walk-in pantry as well as access to the cellar. In addition there are other amenities to this well maintained property such as a central vacuum system, full fibre internet connection and damp proof coursing.

The eight double bedrooms are split between the first and second floors, with the generously proportioned principal bedroom having en suite facilities and a dressing room. In addition there are a further four bath and shower rooms as well as extensive loft storage. The first and second floors can also be approached via a secondary staircase from the rear hall.

Additional guest/staff accommodation is provided by The Tallet which was built by the present owners to a particularly high standard. This two bedroomed flat, which can easily be converted to additional accommodation, is arranged above the triple garage.

Aycote House has a stunning setting amongst some 14 acres of grounds, affording magnificent, elevated views across the hills to the south. It is approached through automated gates with a gravelled driveway leading to a wide parking area to the front and the original garaging to the rear. Most notable is the grand view from the terrace, which looks out over the gently sloping gardens and the grazing land, belonging to the property, to the valley beyond. The grounds also include a tennis court with original pavilion. Planning permission has been previously granted for the installation of an enclosed swimming pool building which would have been positioned in the kitchen garden to the rear of the property.

Directions

W3W///reverses.user.exotic

From Cirencester, proceed north out of town on the A417 towards Stratton and bear right onto the A435/Cheltenham Road. Follow the road for approximately 4.5 miles and then bear left (signposted Eycot) onto a single-track road heading uphill through the wood. After half a mile the tennis court for Aycote House will be visible; take the first left through the wooden gated entrance.