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WILTSHIRE LIFE - December 2002
 Here's
to a Glorious Past.
In
many of my previous articles, there has been mention of
Grade 11 listing and the different age periods of houses.
Currently there are some truly lovely houses covering a
wide range of periods on the market. Several of these are
in the attractive areas near the Marlborough Downs.
For instance Meadow Court is a Queen Anne house but with
earlier origins. This like many of the larger period houses
was mentioned by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner in his "Buildings
of England". The fine brick elevations are so typical
of its period as are the light, well-proportioned rooms.
The house is in the village of Tockenham, which is not far
from Wootton Bassett and enjoys extensive views to the Marlborough
Downs. It has a reception hall, four reception rooms and
various domestic offices, a master bedroom suite, two guest
bedroom suites, three further bedrooms and bathroom. There
is also a Queen Anne Coach House, an all weather tennis
court, swimming pool and formal and informal grounds totalling
nearly 3 acres. The house is handled by FPDSavills in Bath
01225 474550 and the price guide £1.8 million.
The 18th century Clench Farmhouse is Georgian, still a popular
era, demonstrated by Englemere House, Upper Chute a brand
new Georgian styled house currently under construction by
Bewley Homes. Many of the vicarages that are always sought
after when coming to the market are from the Georgian or
Victorian period.
Lockeridge Down near Marlborough personifies the elegance
of the Regency house. With sash windows, hipped tiled roof,
panelled doors, deep skirting boards and architraves of
the period, they have great distinction.
Wiltshire like the neighbouring counties of Dorset and Hampshire
is well known for its thatched period cottages. Many of
these clearly date back to Tudor times with their distinctive
black and white appearance.
Court Essington, Midford, which is near Bath, the agents
say, is heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts period.
My encyclopaedia tells me that the Arts and Crafts movement
was a social movement based in design and architecture,
founded by William Morris in the latter half of the 19th
century and supported by A. W. Pugin and John Ruskin. It
stressed the importance of manual progress and was largely
anti-machine in spirit. I have to confess in forty-six years
in the property business I have never heard of this style
before and I am indebted to Wiltshire Life and FPDSavills
for the opportunity to advance my education.
Properties often start off as something other than a home
and in an attempt to utilise the space and co-ordinate the
accommodation it is sometimes more difficult to identify
their period, especially if there have been several changes
made over the years. The Old Forge, East Kennett is such
an example, its attractive flint elevations in the older
part could suggest either late Georgian or possible Victorian,
but because it now has a new roof and a more modern garage
it is difficult to say at first glance. The great thing
is that it has been saved from ruin and somebody is enjoying
its retained character and peaceful location.
Written by Michael Chandler FRICS.
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