Finding the balance between chic and comfort is never an easy thing, when it comes to designing a home. Under-play it and you risk losing the 'wow' factor that can make a country house feel special. Over-do it and you'll feel like you're living in a hotel rather than a cosy, comfortable home.
When you see somebody who's got it right, however, you can end up with a place that remains cosy and cool all at once — and that is the case with the gorgeous Wolverton House, situated in a hamlet not far off the A303 in Wiltshire. It's currently for sale with Fox Grant via OnTheMarket.com at a price of £1,450,000.
It's a big house. There are six bedrooms, three reception rooms and four bathrooms, plus separate home office, stables and workshop. It also has five acres of land, including a tennis court, all-weather manege and a paddock.
It's not the 3,705sq ft that makes Wolverton stand out, however, but the finish. The current owners have clearly lavished an incredible amount of care and attention on the place to bring it up to a wonderful standard, filling it with all manner of interesting touches. The kitchen, for example, has a bright red Aga placed at an angle in a kitchen which seems tailor-made for parties, connecting as it does to both dining room and the outdoor seating area.
Occasionally there are touches of whimsy which might be a little much for some tastes — the zebra rug in the sitting room, for example — but these decisions have been made in the furnishings rather than the fixtures and fittings, which work beautifully with this 17th century building.
Perhaps the finest example of the latter is the lead veranda, designed by the owner and built by local craftsmen, which shows how well loved the place has been. The gardens also speak to that, with a vegetable patch that's full of produce and an orchard that contains apple, pear, damson, plum, greengage and cherry trees.
Add the tennis court and three stables in to the mix and you have a house that's every inch the classic country home in a location just off the A303 and not far from the — making it easy to get to from Bath, Salisbury, Shaftesbury and London.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Credit: Seend Park, Wiltshire
The sprawling Wiltshire house that ‘grows on you each time you walk through the door’
In the heart of Wiltshire and enjoying beautiful views over Salisbury Plain is this glorious house with a fascinating history.
The enchanting manor house built from the same stone as Salisbury Cathedral
Chicksgrove Manor in Wiltshire sits on the River Nadder.
-
Medieval Italian? 19th century French? 16th century German? You're spoilt for choice if you're looking to buy a gorgeous continental castleFrom hills of Italy to a Bavarian palace, Toby Keel takes a look at three of the finest castles for sale across Europe today.
-
Acronyms, underwater animals, pyramids, fast cars and masts. Learn something new with the Country Life Quiz of the DayOur life is acronyms. Find out what they mean. Impress no-one.
-
Medieval Italian? 19th century French? 16th century German? You're spoilt for choice if you're looking to buy a gorgeous continental castle
From hills of Italy to a Bavarian palace, Toby Keel takes a look at three of the finest castles for sale across Europe today.
-
How to buy a house at auctionBuying at auction can mean you secure your dream property for a bargain price, but preparation is the key
-
The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same timeThe houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
-
Living on the edge? A lighthouse for sale on a clifftop on one of the most remote islands in BritainBressay Lighthouse was built by the father and uncle of the 'Treasure Island' author.
-
Alan Titchmarsh is selling his Hampshire home (and the garden that comes with it): Exclusive pictures and interviewAfter many happy years in Hampshire, the writer, broadcaster and national treasure Alan Titchmarsh is selling up and looking to move. He spoke to Penny Churchill about his years at Manor Farm House.
-
A Lake District escape with views that will make you feel like the king of all you can seeMellguards's many guest rooms and dual staircases make this property perfect for people who love to host, but tire of their guests quickly.
-
One of Yorkshire's great houses, burnt to the ground three generations ago, is back on its feet and on the market for the sixth time in a millenniumPenny Churchill looks at Riseborough Hall, a great house, rich with fascinating history and beautifully apportioned, which burnt to the ground but rose again.
-
Seven magnificent homes from Cumbria to Devon, as seen in Country LifeOur regular look at the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past few weeks takes in a breathtaking Lake District house and a superb home in Northamptonshire.
