Orchard opulence
The Orchard, Lower Road, Bedhampton
Bedhampton is quite literally a place of contrasts, having expanded over the years at the south-eastern tip of Portsdown Hill.At its heart is the old village which still retains that essential feel that only genuine old buildings, meandering lanes and well-tended hedges can deliver.Among the most special properties is The Orchard, ripe for the picking straight away for potential owners who desire period excellence combined with modern essentials.
The house, in Lower Road, was built in the 1930s and still sits among mature gardens in grounds of around two-thirds-of-an-acre that embrace manicured lawns, long-established trees, a stream and a heated outdoor pool.It has been sympathetically extended by the current owners and offers comfortably spacious accommodation that mirrors the design of the original house.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad
‘It’s very much a gem of its time,’ explains Colin Shairp, of Fine and Country Southern Hampshire.‘There’s a real charm to both the house and its grounds bringing the feel a country gentleman’s property of a certain era but combined with all that comes from living within a wider urban area.‘So good schools, transport links, and commercial centres make it a very convenient house yet once inside The Orchard’s grounds you feel you have escaped to another world.
‘There’s a grand reception hall with double doors to a magnificent drawing room but the inner hall then gives access to the more intimate areas of the house – the orangery, formal dining room with a bay overlooking the magnificent lawn, and a study.
The kitchen / breakfast room is at the front, the traditional place when The Orchards was built although it looks nothing like the original now we are in the world of integrated appliances.The wine store would have been a good idea back then, though, but wouldn’t have had the wine fridge!‘The first floor is home to a very impressive master suite, where there is a luxurious en-suite wet room.Four further bedrooms are served by a family bathroom with both bath and shower and there’s also a separate cloakroom plus a utility room / laundry room.
‘The gardens are sheer delight – one can almost imagine croquet parties on the lawn and lounging on the poolside terrace or taking advantage of the summer house on a scorching day.A bridge leads over the stream to the kitchen garden area and there are plenty of places to find shade as well as the terrace behind the house on which to bask.’