An ideal habitat for county enthusiasts

If you delight in living in an area surrounded by beautiful countryside then a home for sale in the village of Marden will make it seem as if you have arrived in Utopia.

Marden is at the heart of the Vale of Pewsey, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is bounded by the Marlborough Downs to the North and the escarpment of Salisbury Plain to the south. Both are very much in evidence in the views from the village.

Around Marden, there’s a network of paths and bridleways, ideal habitat for those who like to get out in the fresh air, whether on foot, cycle, or horseback. Passing through the Vale is the Kennet and Avon Canal, which provides an interesting walk along its towpaths connecting some delightful country pubs or a gentle way to travel by boat.

The house for sale is Hawthorn Cottage in Marden, where there are two working farms, two livery yards, a pub, and a church. Much remains as it has been for hundreds of years but if the demands of modern lifestyle dictate that you must commute, mainline trains to London are accessible in Pewsey, just eight miles away. They will deliver you to Paddington in 65 minutes. Schooling in the area, both state and private, is also excellent.

Hawthorn Cottage is a Grade II listed thatched property that has been sympathetically upgraded by the current owners without detracting from the many original features that include an inglenook and exposed beams in many rooms. Oak doors and Welsh slate flagstones in the hall also add to its appeal.

The wisteria growing up the front wall is just one of the features of the gardens, which are enclosed by traditional hurdle fencing. The main garden faces south east and is mainly lawn with terracing to the front and side of the cottage providing sheltered space for sitting and dining. The gravelled drive provides parking for two or three cars.

The ground floor of the cottage has a large sitting room at its centre, with the entrance lobby to its right, off which is a shower room. A door at the other end of the sitting room opens into the dining room, from which there is access to the kitchen / breakfast room, a delightful workspace with French doors from the breakfast area onto the front terrace.

From the sitting room, the main staircase rises to the first floor landing, where the door ahead opens into the master bedroom. There is an attractive period-style bathroom and across the landing from this is a door to a study / nursery with an adjacent door opening into the third bedroom.

Stairs from the rear of the entrance lobby give access to the second bedroom, which has a lobby / dressing area that can also be reached from the master bedroom.

Guide price for Hawthorn Cottage is £395,000. For more details, email marlborough@dnproperty.co.uk.