The Story
Lighting the fire on a winter's day and settling down to relax in the beamed dining room, Terry and Brenda Clayton can easily conjure up a sense of their property's past.
The Old House, which dates back to 1760, has been beautifully restored by the couple and now displays many of its original features.
"We loved the location of the house - it is set in a small conservation area," explained Terry. "But we could also see the tremendous potential of the property. We knew there was a great deal we wanted to do to it and we realised we could bring back much of its character."
|
Art and Design
Once a cottage on the Haynes Park Estate, the property was auctioned off in 1914 and was bought by a member of the family of the Marquess of Bath. She employed the services of an architect from the Royal Academy who built a new wing and worked on the property's interior design.
"What we wanted to do when we bought the cottage was to take it back to its original state. We discovered original timbers behind fibre board, which we exposed, and there was a wonderful inglenook fireplace that had been sealed up," explained Terry.
"We uncovered the fireplace and put a wood-burner in, which is lovely. Now in the winter months we have it on every day."
|
Picture on the Past
The couple also opened up the kitchen and breakfast room, revealing more of the four bedroom cottage's timber frame.
"This is a nice open plan room, where we eat when we just have our family here. On more formal occasions, however, we tend to go into the dining room," said Terry.
With an open fire at one end, the dining room is a welcoming spot during the colder months, he explained. Decorated in Farrow & Ball's Picture Gallery Red and featuring a Victorian dining table, it also captures a sense of the property's past.
"This is a very cosy room. We move into it during the winter," he said. "The drawing room is brighter and so tends to be our summer room."
|
Beautiful Views
The drawing room has double doors leading into the conservatory, which enjoys a splendid view out on to the garden.
"We love sitting in there during the autumn so we can look at the changing colours outside," he said.
Two of the bedrooms at The Old House are located on the ground floor. Another two are upstairs.
"Our room has beautiful views over the garden and the open fields. It feels very rural. We enjoy being able to look out at the wildlife - to see the deer and the owls, and to hear the song birds," said Terry.
|
Garden Parties
With just under an acre of gardens, and a summerhouse, the house has been perfect for entertaining, he continued.
"We have had lots of wonderful parties here. When my daughter was married we had a marquee in the garden and we also had a superb party for her 21st birthday.
"We have had lots of charity functions here over the years, where people have been able to use the house and then spill out into the garden," he said.
And he added: "It has also been wonderful for parties at Christmas and New Year."
|
All Seasons
With family members enjoying a knock about on the grass tennis court in the summer and the cottage lit up by festive decorations in the winter, The Old House really is a home for all seasons.
And both Terry and Brenda admit they will miss it when they leave.
"It is such a wonderful situation and the house is so attractive but we have decided to move somewhere smaller," he said.
"I think I will miss all the space most of all - and I know my wife will miss the beautiful garden."
|
Setting the Scene
With areas of lawn, mature trees and colourful shrubs, the garden at The Old House is a testament to Brenda Clayton's passion for it.
She has worked hard to create a beautiful environment for family and friends alike to enjoy.
Terraced areas provide perfect places to relax in the sunshine and enjoy long summer lunches, and the grass tennis court has been the scene of much fun over the years.
Fruit and vegetables have been grown in the greenhouse and the open lawns have been ideal for party marquees, with a backdrop of the open countryside beyond.
"We have enjoyed the garden here immensely," said Terry. "When it is too cold to be outside, we sit in the conservatory and enjoy the wonderful views of it from there."
Also within the grounds there are two detached garages and a range of outbuildings.
|
WINTER
"We uncovered the fireplace and put a wood-burner in, which is lovely. Now in the winter months we have it on every day."
|
CONSERVATORY
"We love sitting in there during the autumn so we can look at the changing colours outside."
|
COUNTRYSIDE
"It feels very rural here. We enjoy being able to look out at the wildlife - to see the deer and the owls, and to hear the song birds."
|