If this is your first time here, welcome. If it’s not, then it will be no surprise that we are once again writing about a house that was once a chapel but is now, as just mentioned, a house.
It’s hard to put a finger on exactly what it is about the chapel conversion that I find so enchanting, considering that I am not, by any definition, a religious man. I think it’s primarily the combination of the modern with the ancient, and the high ceilings. Induction hobs and stained glass. I do not ask for much.
Today’s edition is this sublime example from Bramdean in Hampshire. For sale with Carter Jonas for £1.395 million, Woodlands Chapel was originally built in 1889 and was a rural chapel under the Diocese of Portsmouth until 1982. It is now a very cool family home of four bedrooms.
It’s got all the ecclesiastical hits — brick and flint elevations, stained glass windows and a bell tower. It also has a Neptune fitted kitchen with granite worktops. I would be in heaven (metaphorically speaking, of course).
Set over two floors, the majority of the home gives way to the double-height dining/sitting room, which I think we can all agree is a pretty terrific use of space. There is also a separate garden room, study/bedroom and the kitchen. Three bedrooms occupy the first floor.
A lot of credit should be given to the current owners, who have found a tremendous balance between the modern and the traditional aspects of this house. It has retained so much character, and yet looks so liveable.
Further credit goes to the fabulous work on the garden, which includes lawned areas, raised beds and well-stocked borders bursting with colour, and lots of terraced areas perfect for al fresco dining and entertaining.
Situated in the South Downs National Park, the only thing more impressive than Woodlands Chapel is perhaps the surrounding scenery in this most desirable part of southern England. Praise be.
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Five magnificent homes for sale, from Highland escape to a 17th century school, as seen in Country LifeWe take a look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life.
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Five magnificent homes for sale, from Highland escape to a 17th century school, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life.
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The market for super-prime houses in England's biggest millionaire's playground is booming — and this £10m example is one of the bestWhirley Hall is a 17th century building that's a perfect example of how 21st century updates can transform an old home almost beyond recognition.
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If I had to spend the rest of my life living underground, I would do it in this four-bedroom house for sale in the Peak DistrictThe aptly named Underhill is a 'a work of inhabitable art' that was built in the 1970s. And there's a swimming pool in the middle of it.
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A micro estate for sale in west Wales shows that the best things come in small packages. In this case, three of themBrithdir is a remarkable collection of properties centred around a lake and just five miles from the sea.
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This blissful converted mill has sweeping views, a breathtaking library and gardens by a Chelsea gold medallistPenny Churchill takes a look at Stanbridge Mill, one of the finest properties for sale today in the west country.
