Grade-two listed farmhouse with landscaped gardens put on the market for just …

Posted on by Listify Me
  • Hunts Copse Farm, in Wiltshire, was once the centre of a 370-acre farmstead
  • But over years is has been surrounded by a sprawling industrial estate
  • Experts say if it was set in a village it could fetch more than £1.5m at auction

By
Amanda Williams


PUBLISHED:

10:10 GMT, 22 July 2013


|

UPDATED:

13:28 GMT, 22 July 2013

Set amid its own apple and cherry orchards, and with an impressive six bedrooms complete with period features, by anyone’s standard this Grade II farmhouse is a bargain at just £395,000.

There is just one small drawback – the view.

Hunts Copse Farm, in South Marston, Wiltshire, was once the centre of a 370-acre farmstead. Now it is surrounded by a sprawling industrial estate.

This stunning six-bedroom farmhouse complete with an orchard and impressive period features is on the market for just £395,000 - because it is in an industrial estate

This stunning six-bedroom farmhouse complete with an orchard and impressive period features is on the market for just £395,000 – because it is in an industrial estate

The Grade II-listed Hunts Copse Farm was once the centre of a 370-acre farmstead and boasts landscaped gardens with an orchard of apple and cherry trees and a lake

The Grade II-listed Hunts Copse Farm was once the centre of a 370-acre farmstead and boasts landscaped gardens with an orchard of apple and cherry trees and a lake

But the property, which also boasts landscaped gardens and a lake.was requisitioned, by the Government at the start of the Second World War and an aircraft factory was built in the grounds.

Next came a Honda factory, an industrial estate and then a BQ national distribution centre the size of 20 football pitches – one of the biggest buildings in the UK.

Experts say if the stunning stone-built farmhouse was set in a village it would easily fetch in excess of £1.5million when it goes to auction next month.

But despite the unusual neighbours, surveyor Andrew Stibbard reckons new owners could ignore the industrial surroundings and live the life of a cut-price farmer.

But the property was taken over by the Government at the start of the Second World War and an aircraft factory was built in the grounds

But the property was taken over by the Government at the start of the Second World War and an aircraft factory was built in the grounds

Experts say if the stunning stone-built farmhouse was set in a village it would easily fetch in excess of £1.5million when it goes to auction next month

Experts say if the stunning stone-built farmhouse was set in a village it would easily fetch in excess of £1.5million when it goes to auction next month

‘It’s surprisingly quiet here on a weekday, and at the weekend you’d have the place to yourself,’ said Mr Stibbard, who is marketing the property for high-end estate agents Moore, Allen and Innocent.

In a village setting, this farmhouse would set you back £1.5 million-plus. Where else are you going to pick up a six-bedroom period house for £395,000?’

The enormous L-shaped home has wood panelled entrance halls and flagstone floors leading to three impressive reception rooms, boasting huge authentic fireplaces and huge sash windows.

The farmhouse was converted into plush offices but has planning permission to become a boutique hotel, and consent pending to turn it back into a family home.

It is surrounded by a Honda factory, an industrial estate and then a BQ national distribution centre the size of 20 football pitches - one of the biggest buildings in the UK

It is surrounded by a Honda factory, an industrial estate and then a BQ national distribution centre the size of 20 football pitches – one of the biggest buildings in the UK

It still has two-acres of private land behind a five-bar gated entrance, and a further acre of land enclosing a lake which will be auctioned as a separate lot.

Mr Stibbard added: ‘On the first floor are six bedrooms, including a well-proportioned master bedroom with large sash windows and period fireplace. On the second floor is an attic.

‘I can see this property appealing to a small business looking for office accommodation in a historic building with interesting features, or a hotelier, but equally I can see the appeal to a large family that requires lots of rooms and space, both indoors and out.’

`Viewing events have been scheduled for July 30 and August 6 and 13 between 4pm and 5.30pm.

In 2009 estate agents ran into trouble after failing to mention in their sales pitch for an idyllic cottage, that it sat next to a nuclear power station.

West Beach Cottage on the Dungeness Nature Reserve in Kent, which is yards from two nuclear power stations

West Beach Cottage on the Dungeness Nature Reserve in Kent, which is yards from two nuclear power stations

The cottage on the Dungeness National Nature Reserve comes complete with period features, double glazing and gas-fired central heating, and boasts half an acre of land.

Described by estate agents as a ‘property not to be missed’, they rather absent-mindedly omitted to inform prospective buyers the three-bedroom home was a stone’s throw from the looming presence of the Dungeness A and B power plants.

The comments below have not been moderated.



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Bargain. I’d put up with boring modernist utilitarian surroundings… Let’s just hope this is NOT the future of GREEN BELT DEVELOPMENT…!

PrivateSi
,

WORCS,
22/7/2013 14:52

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I have actually just put in an application. Fingers crossed!

John Bradley
,

Sheffield, United Kingdom,
22/7/2013 14:50

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So an industrial estate is worse than living with a constant flow of cars going past your house in a town ?? In these places you’ll only really have a flow of traffic at shift starts/ends ( which are generally the same time ). I bet one of the managers at the warehouses is looking over that , then the staff will never get away :p

nothin2lose
,

Crewe, United Kingdom,
22/7/2013 14:49

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Handy if you work at BQ or Honda.

Sceptic
,

Dundee, United Kingdom,
22/7/2013 14:47

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Some inside photos would have been nice!

CarlyD
,

Dublin, Ireland,
22/7/2013 14:44

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Today’s Ad-Mag column…

Tommy Dumpling
,

Deepest Derbyshire,
22/7/2013 14:43

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Absolute bargain.

hoolahoops3
,

Birmingham, United Kingdom,
22/7/2013 14:41

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What a damn shame …

kennyba8y
,

Newark, United Kingdom,
22/7/2013 14:41

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So it isn’t a six bedroom home, it’s an office block that needs remedial works, There is no planning consent to boot which will be costly, time consuming and infuriating and there is a danger of having to deal with English Heritage. The problems with that house are nothing to do with the neighbours, who are actually better neighbours than many of us have these days.

Trudi
,

Worcester, United Kingdom,
22/7/2013 14:37

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Still better than paying for a overpriced 200k 1 bed flat in Peckham London…..a 3 bed detached in Norfolk for 180k is an even better deal … And near the sea.. And No traffic gridlock.. A fool and their money are soon parted .. So what is the best deal…..meanwhile tax avoidance still goes on to help the poor rich people..while others struggle to pay their mortgages..crazy uk..

The wizard
,

london, United Kingdom,
22/7/2013 14:36

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