Main image: Neston, Wiltshire £2,750,000
Pond Close Farm is a very appealing and charming 17th Century house. The approach is over a long gravel drive through a courtyard with attractive period buildings to either side. It is built of random stone elevations under a stone tiled roof in the Cotswold style. The stone turret on the northern side contains a staircase and gives the property individual and attractive added dimension. The property has been the subject of considerable restoration and improvement over the last few years including new bathroom suites, rewiring, plumbing and the creation of a large family kitchen/breakfast room with hand built wooden cabinets. Further improvements include recessed ceiling lights and the well-appointed boot room with utility room beyond. Externally the buildings have been improved significantly with re-roofing and repointing where necessary, the creation of extensive garaging and renovation of a Cotswold stone barn to create an open sided turning out barn, ideally sited between the stables and paddocks. Planning permission has also been granted for the large Cotswold stone barn to be converted to ancillary accommodation. It could also provide a variety of other uses. A large 17th Century barn, which offers a superb area for additional accommodation or as a party room; our clients have used it as a great entertaining space and for their kids. There is also a cobbled yard that adjoins the stables. The indoor swimming pool is situated to the south east of the house and housed within a former barn constructed of stone elevations under a tiled roof. Double glazed sliding patio doors lead into the pool house with stone and timber bench seats running along the southern side. Oak panel and sliding doors along the eastern end conceal a shower, equipment room and changing room with WC. and wash basin. The design complements the building and has been finished to an exceptionally high standard. (Crisp Cowley)