It was all about location, location, location when it came to rectories and churches. Building the cleric’s home next to their workplace certainly made it easier when it came to getting to morning service on time.

The Old Rectory at Temple Guiting in the Cotswolds is adjacent to the church with views over it and to the parkland beyond from the charming garden.

The delightful village house is built of coursed and dressed limestone under a limestone slate roof.

Grade II Listed, the detached property dates from about 1700 but was enlarged in the 19th century.

It is approached through wooden gates with a drive up to the front of the house and around to parking at the side.

Stone steps, beneath a latticework storm porch, lead up to the door.

The inside is full of character features, typical of its age. There are large stone mullioned shuttered windows, beautiful stone fireplaces and traditional wood flooring, which give the house an elegant yet comfortable feel. A central entrance hall has stairs to both the first floor and down to the lower ground floor.

Off the hall is a gracious drawing room with an open fireplace, stone hearth and surround.

Across the entrance hall is the farmhouse kitchen/breakfast room with bespoke oak wall and base units, a central island with integrated appliances and a two-oven, oil-fired Aga.

Next to this is the playroom, which could also be used as a dining room, with views on to the garden.

At the back of the house is a comfortable sitting room with solid fuel stove.

Stairs rise to five spacious double bedrooms, and three bathrooms. The lower ground floor has a secondary kitchen/utility room, a temperature-controlled wine cellar, bathroom, sixth bedroom and a sitting room/office.

These rooms are ideal as ancillary accommodation and have their own access to the road but also serve as overflow accommodation for the house. Outside, the beautiful garden is mainly laid to lawn with mature, planted borders and a terrace on the southern side adjacent to the garden room. It is well stocked with a wide variety of mature trees, herbs and shrubs, including lavender-lined beds.

The summer house has oak flooring, power and light and could be used as a party barn or home office.

At the back of the house is an excellent range of outbuildings, including a workshop/store, and a garage, which is accessed from the road and is currently used as a wood store.

Temple Guiting is a rural village situated in an attractive area of the North Cotswolds.

It is set well away from the main roads in unspoilt countryside with a primary school, village shop and parish church.

The adjacent village of Guiting Power, about two miles away, provides a shop, greengrocers, bakery, nursery school, post office and a renowned inn, The Hollow Bottom.

Further amenities can be found in the market towns of Bourton on the Water, Stow on the Wold and Winchcombe.

Communications are good with easy access to the A40/M40 and there is an inter­city train service from Kingham Station just over 10 miles away.

Local sporting facilities include hunting with the Cotswold Hunt, racing at Cheltenham, Stratford-upon-Avon, polo at Cirencester and golf at Naunton Downs.

Viewing Information

Agent: Strutt & Parker

Tel: 01608 650502

Web: www.struttandparker.com

Guide Price: £1,500,000