The legacy of two remarkable Cotswold gentlemen, who were born and died half a century apart, is associated with a fascinating group of houses in the Stroud Valleys, which has just come onto the market.
Lyday Close at Oakridge Lynch will forever be associated with Alfred Hoare Powell (1865–1960), the renowned Arts and Crafts architect. Powell – an associate of Ernest Gimson and the brothers Ernest and Sidney Barnsley – lived at, and renovated, the 17th century Lyday House and converted the neighbouring Sugar House into a workshop and studio for himself at the turn of the 20th century.
In the 1980s, the houses and two neighbouring outbuildings were bought by the Swiss businessman Peter Lang, a publisher of academic books, who converted the outbuildings into cottages: Peter’s Cottage and Gisela’s Cottage.
When he died in 2001, Lang left everything he owned to a charitable trust which, to this day, makes awards to Gloucestershire-based voluntary organisations working directly with vulnerable and disadvantaged children. To date, over £1m has been donated in his name.
Lyday Close, which is being offered for sale in four lots, is approached through wrought iron gates and over a sweeping driveway that runs through the manicured grounds.
Lot one comprises the Grade II listed Lyday House and an annexe, the charmingly named Sugar House. Lyday House has a thatched roof and retains much of the workmanship associated with the Arts and Crafts principles, including joinery, stonework and metalwork.
Fans of exposed beams and Cotswold stone walls, studded doors, and large fireplaces cannot fail to fall for the charms of Lyday House, which has a kitchen, dining room, sitting room, bathroom and three bedrooms over three floors, while the Sugar House provides two reception rooms, a cloakroom and a conservatory on an elevated position, from which outstanding views can be enjoyed. C
ombined, the properties offer more than 2,200 sq ft of living accommodation, and sit within grounds of 2.77 acres. The lot is on the market for £600,000.
Lot two, which is offered at £425,000, comprises Peter’s and Gisela’s Cottages. Gisela’s Cottage is the larger of the two, with a kitchen, sitting room, bedroom and bathroom over two floors under a thatched roof, while Peter’s Cottage has a kitchen, sitting room, study, bedroom and bathroom under a grey slate roof.
The one-bedroom cottages – which are accessible from the lane at the rear of the property – are connected by a glazed walkway, lending the potential for amalgamation into a single house.
The cottages are bursting with character inside and out, with large stone fireplaces a particular feature, and generous arched windows affording views over the terraced garden to the valley beyond.
Lot three is a development plot of 2,347 sq ft in what currently forms part of the gardens of Peter’s Cottage. Planning permission has been granted for the erection of a four bedroom house with double car port.
The proposed accommodation is laid out over two floors with a kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, living room, four bedrooms – one of which is en suite – and family bathroom.
The site – which is offered at £180,000 – is bounded by a tall Cotswold stone wall with vehicular access, and will be set in an elevated position with delightful views, and grounds extending to 0.13 acres.
Lot four comprises four single garages, which have been built into the hillside, along with a third of an acre of garden, laid to lawns. The lot will be offered – at £100,000 – to the purchasers of lot one and lot three.
Lyday Close is situated on the southern edge of Oakridge Lynch, eight miles from Cirencester and six miles from Stroud. The hamlet has a school, general store with Post Office, parish church and public house, The Butcher’s Arms, run by the Michelin star-winning chef Michael Bedford.
Cirencester estate agents Moore Allen & Innocent are holding open house events for potential buyers on Saturday, April 19 from 11am to noon and Saturday, April 26 from 10.30am to noon.
For more information, log on to www.mooreallen.co.uk or call Amy Herring on 01285 648115.