Marlborough, Wiltshire by Fine & Country

The Last Straw 51 High Street | Collingbourne Ducis | Marlborough | Wiltshire | SN8 3EQ

THE LAST STRAW

A superb example of a totally renovated listed traditional thatched home, oozing character and charm. An immaculate finish and spacious interiors make this a wonderful package all round. A gorgeous home both in and out.

KEY FEATURES

The Last Straw is situated in the Wiltshire Countryside village of Collingbourne Ducis on the Southern edge of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With Norfolk thatch by Adam Nash, this Grade II listed property possesses a fascinating history; thought to have been built with beams from the Spanish Armada, with original markings visible in some beams, over the years it has served as a public house and police station as well as a beautiful home. Stunningly redesigned to an excellent standard the sensitive design combines traditional and contemporary features. The Last Straw benefits from 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, office, open-plan kitchen, dining and living space, with beautiful views of the garden and considerable outdoor entertaining space, with laid to lawn garden and access to the children’s park behind the property.

Ground Floor:

Entering this idyllic countryside cottage from the character porch, the reception is immediately welcoming, with engineered oak floors, an inglenook fireplace and wood burning stove it invites a sense of arriving home; be it the final destination after the summer holidays, reaching shelter from the rain, a warm retreat at the end of a long walk, or celebrating Christmas with loved ones. Discreetly disguised as a bookcase is the entrance to the office and on the Western side of the property is the ground floor bedroom, using the inglenook fireplace as storage and retaining the old gaols history, the ensuite is complete with the original beam that once held the iron bars. On the opposite side of the property is the grand open plan living room with two sets of French doors leading to the quintessential countryside garden and seamlessly integrated with the Holbrooks hand-crafted kitchen; with additional garden access and equipped with a moving island, excellently designed to ensure no sacrifice is necessary between entertaining and practicality. With inbuilt appliances and wine cooler, the kitchen is beautifully designed and co-ordinated, marble surfaces provide a clean finish and discreet ventilation maintain the aesthetics of the kitchen. Tucked away neatly beside the kitchen is the utility housing washer/dryer space and the boiler leading to the single cloakroom, all naturally lit with the skylights on the Southern wall.

First Floor:

The staircase elegantly curls around to a generous landing suitable for an open office space and features distinguished beams and plenty of storage, leading to the array of rooms on the first floor. On the Western side of the cottage are two double bedrooms, both equipped with in-built wardrobes and one with a priest-hole, further evoking the history of this characterful property. On the Eastern side of the property is the large principal bedroom with a high ceiling, in-built wardrobes and dressers adorning one wall and also features an ensuite. Next to this is the family bathroom, with access to the fireboarded loft, equipped with underfloor heating, twin vanities, a must for busy working families, a free-standing shower and large bath, ideal for a long soak and relaxation after a hard day. There is an additional single bedroom beside this that is also suitable for an upstairs office or nursery.

SELLER INSIGHT

What is your favourite room of the house and why?

The kitchen/living room as this is the heart of our home. The space is full of light, great for entertaining, access and views of the garden and spending time cooking in the kitchen is a pleasure.

Who do you think would be the next ideal owner?

The house would suit a variety of people, families, downsizers and those looking for a life in the countryside without being remote.

What do you love most about the house and why?

The space the house offers with light and bright rooms, plenty of storage and the history and character of the property make the Last Straw a very welcoming home

What do you love about the local community?

Very friendly and welcoming, the village has a great pre-school and primary school, gorgeous dog walks and an active village community spirit

How easy is it to commute from here?

Very easy commute either by road or rail as it’s a 10-15 minute drive to three stations with ample parking, along with simple connections to M4, M3 and the A303 going down to the West Country

What made you choose this property over others that were available at the time?

We could see the potential to make it into a beautiful family home, along with the positives of living in the gorgeous English countryside, but also proximity to some great locations such as Marlborough, Bath, Salisbury and the Cotswolds.*

* 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.

KEY FEATURES

Outside:

The picture-postcard perfect façade is completed by flower beds bordering the property and gravel driveway, suitable for up to six vehicles, with double gated access to the rear garden and a charming thatched well situated beside the porch. To the rear of the property, the generous patio lines a third of the outdoor space with plenty of room for dining and entertaining, or enjoying the changing of the

seasons with a glass of wine, perhaps observing the hydrangea and wisteria climbing and twisting around the trellis. The laid to lawn garden is bordered by flower beds and high hedges and in addition to being fenced and surrounded by trees, so the garden is free to be enjoyed without being overlooked. With a double shed and additional store to each side of the property, there is also rear garden access to the children’s park behind the cottage, perfect for young families.

INFORMATION

Location:

On the Southern edge of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Collingbourne Ducis is ideally situated for multiple walking and cycling routes throughout the Wiltshire countryside. With a nearby local shop and post office counter, the village also has a range of local eateries with a deli and two local public houses, The Tipple Inn and The Shears Inn. There is a popular local primary school close to the village hall and Cricket Club within a few minutes’ walk and St. Andrew’s Church is at the opposite end of the village.

Just under 9 miles away are the villages of Bedwyn and Pewsey with train lines to Paddington taking approximately one hour or just 10 miles away is the town of Andover, with trains to Waterloo taking just over an hour. To the North lies the thriving market town of Marlborough, around 10 miles away offering a fantastic range of shopping, from small independent boutiques like The Merchant’s House, Biggie Best, and The White Horse Bookshop; to national retailers such as Waitrose, Space NK and The White Company. There are also plenty of excellent dining options such as Dan’s at The Crown, Rick Stein and Bunce’s to name just a few, in addition to a wonderful independent cinema situated on The Parade. Many families are attracted to the area for the excellent schooling on offer in both the private and state sectors which locally include Collingbourne CofE Primary (state), St. Francis Prep (independent), Marlborough College (independent), Dauntsey’s (independent) and many more.

Local Authority Wiltshire, Band G

Tenure Freehold Guide Price £ 865,000

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate 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 01.08.2023

FINE & COUNTRY

Fine & Country is a global network of estate agencies specialising in the marketing, sale and rental of luxury residential property. With offices in over 300 locations, spanning Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia, we combine widespread exposure of the international marketplace with the local expertise and knowledge of carefully selected independent property professionals.

Fine & Country appreciates the most exclusive properties require a more compelling, sophisticated and intelligent presentation – leading to a common, yet uniquely exercised and successful strategy emphasising the lifestyle qualities of the property.

This unique approach to luxury homes marketing delivers high quality, intelligent and creative concepts for property promotion combined with the latest technology and marketing techniques.

We understand moving home is one of the most important decisions you make; your home is both a financial and emotional investment. With Fine & Country you benefit from the local knowledge, experience, expertise and contacts of a well trained, educated and courteous team of professionals, working to make the sale or purchase of your property as stress free as possible.

THE FINE & COUNTRY FOUNDATION

The production of these particulars has generated a £10 donation to the Fine & Country Foundation, charity no. 1160989, striving to relieve homelessness.

Visit fineandcountry.com/uk/foundation