House is epitome of gracious city living

When it comes to gracious city living, there’s little that can come close to a property now available in the heart of Winchester. As most people recognise, the ancient Cathedral is the epicentre of Winchester life and the house now for let is in the Inner Close, where it offers spectacular family accommodation.

Lettings specialist Zaza Patterson, of the Winchester office of Dreweatt Neate, said: “These properties with historical and cultural character are highly desirable due to the scarcity of them in the retail market.”

Already, she has let two substantial houses this year on five to 10 year leases, one of them National Trust-owned Hinton Ampner Place and the other on a private estate.

“Estate properties are particularly popular. We receive regular enquiries for such rentals and this recent example was not even brought to the open market,” explained Zaza.

“These, like the house in the Inner Close that is owned by the Dean and Chapter of Winchester Cathedral, are just not for sale and buying a similar property on the open market might also tie up capital that is wanted for investment or other purposes or tenants may chose to retain a London home as an investment whilst living in the house of their dreams whilst their children are at school.

“Houses like these, generally not in private ownership, also bring the reassurance that the owner is not likely to suddenly return from abroad and want their house back. This offers stability for a family that might want to settle over an extended period, maybe during children’s schooling, for instance.

“The Inner Close are is locked at night with security patrols in operation. Every resident gets a key to the gate and at vibrant family times such as Christmas there’s all the pageantry of the choirs and clergy on the doorstep with the Christmas market and ice rink for which residents get a number of tickets.

“The house itself has an imposing entrance hall flanked on one side by the dining room and the other by the drawing room with a study / music room to the front. There are two lower ground floor rooms for storage and utility purposes accessed via stairs next to the contemporary kitchen / breakfast room.

“On the first floor is a sitting room above the dining room and three bedrooms, including a master with en-suite bath. The second floor has another three bedrooms plus a bathroom with both bath and shower, and there’s a large attic storage area.

“The house has spectacular and beautiful gardens and from them there’s a fantastic view to the Cathedral. This must be one of the most imposing houses in Winchester – built in the 1660s and therefore a long time part of central Winchester’s history.”

The house is being offered at a rent of £6,000 per calendar month exclusive. For more details, email zpatterson@dreweatt-neate.co.uk