Description
Sycamore Cottage is located opposite St Michael's Church overlooking beautiful gardens belonging to Buckland Manor Hotel and is the eastern part of a pair of semi detached cottages. The property is constructed in local Cotswold stone with traditional casement windows all under a Welsh slate roof.
The original cottage was built in 1876 under the directorship of James Orchard Halliwell a famous Shakespearean Scholar he adopted the surname Phillipps following the death of Sir Thomas Phillipps having inherited the Middle Hill Estate in 1872. The front elevation of the cottage still carries on engraved stone bearing his initials JOP and the date of original construction 1876.
In 2005 the property was sold in need of full repair and the owner at the time undertook an extensive programme to extend and refurbish. The owner at the time sourced matching reclaimed stone for the new external walling and has replicated the stone arch window heads, cills, and sawn stone quoins to window openings. The use of correct architectural detailing combined with high quality materials throughout has led to the creation of a beautifully appointed property which is sympathetic to its setting. In particular there is a most impressive handmade kitchen. The current owner purchased the property in 2010 adding a further extension and carrying further improvements to the property.
Outside
Sycamore Cottage is set within beautifully landscaped gardens and these are a particular feature of the property. The gardens include a stone paved terrace, ideal for outside summer dining, being situated adjacent to the property taking full advantage of the setting. Running through the gardens is a most attractive stream bordered by drystone walls with a bridge linking the two parts of the garden. The gardens adjoin paddocks to the northern boundary and are largely laid to undulating lawn dotted with mature fruit trees and planted with colourful shrubberies. Within the gardens there is a stone outbuilding which has been refurbished and could be used for a variety of purposes but currently a workshop. The property benefits from off street parking adjacent to the cottage approached through a five bar gate.
Council tax band: F