Foxley Manor
Formerly Perch Cottage, Wigpool, GL17 0JW
Enchanting woodlands encircle this magnificent stone-built country home which has been lovingly refurbished by the present owner to accentuate its rustic charm. The detached property is set in a wonderfully private spot that is totally peaceful – a variety of beautiful birdsong fills the air and the setting is frequented by all manner of wildlife.
Four bedrooms • Lounge • Open-plan kitchen/dining room/family room • Games room/gym/office • Family bathroom • En-suite shower room • Utility/boot room • Cloakroom •
Approximately one acre of land
Location
Wigpool Common is a large area mainly planted to broadleaved trees amongst which is included a 19 acre nature reserve of heathland jointly maintained by the forestry and Gloucestershire wildlife. Various flora and fauna can be observed over the course of the year and there are numerous local walks that reveal the creatures that reside in this tranquil corner of the Royal Forest of Dean.
Foxley Manor itself is bordered by a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)- an area that is of particular interest due to the rare species of fauna or flora and, in this case, it is the horseshoe bats that reside in the nearby caves.
While the property is in a rural position, which offers a tranquil lifestyle unspoiled by any noise or light pollution, Wigpool is within easy reach of nearby villages, towns and road networks.
The villages of Drybrook and Mitcheldean are each around two miles away – Drybrook has a GP surgery, as well as a village shop, a butchers, a pub, a chemist and primary academy. Mitcheldean offers a primary school, which is rated 'Good' by Ofsted, as well as a sought-after secondary school, Dene Magna, which is graded 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. There is also another GP surgery, two village shops, three pubs, a butchers, a chemist and various leisure facilities.
Meanwhile, the village of Lea around three-and-a-half miles away, has a village store, a very charming 15th Century pub, The Crown Inn, plus a primary school, which is rated 'Good' by Ofsted. Cinderford, four miles away, a town on the eastern fringes of the Forest od Dean features supermarkets, several shops, a cinema and further leisure facilities. Then there is the beautiful market town of Ross-on-Wye, around eight miles away, and this gives even further amenities. The high street features an assortment of shops, independently-owned boutiques, a range of restaurants, welcoming pubs and various leisure facilities. There are also several supermarkets, plus four schools in the town - three primaries and another reputable secondary – John Kyrle High School – which also boasts a 'Good' Ofsted score.
Even more facilities are found in the cathedral city of Gloucester, which is approximately a 20-minute drive from Foxley Manor and the airport junction to the M5 is around a 30-minute drive away.
The M50 motorway starts in Ross-on-Wye and this gives good access to Birmingham to the north and Bristol to the south. There is also the A40, which runs past Ross-on-Wye, which leads to the M4 at Newport, giving good access to Cardiff and London.
The home at a glance
Foxley Manor is a truly sublime property, tucked away in a serene corner of the countryside. The heart of the home is a fantastic, open plan kitchen/dining room/ family room which serves as an ideal entertaining space; while hosts prepare delicious meals, there is plenty of room for families and guests to gather around them. The well-equipped kitchen includes a traditional oil-fired Rayburn cooker, as well as a conventional oven, plus a ceramic hob and an integrated dishwasher. The attractive space also has solid oak worktops, cream cupboards and there is a little touch of colour – red splashback tiles which give a warm, rustic palette. There are some really lovely quirky features in the space; an old fireplace has been adapted into a little nook to give a one-of-a-kind space to display pretty trinkets, and there is also an old bread oven which has been adapted into an archway looking in to the utility/boot room, which gives lpenty of space to take off muddy boots and coats after a day enjoying the great outdoors.
The lounge is another great space which has several striking focal points, such as a character country arts & crafts oak surround fireplace which hosts a multi-fuel burning stove and this is surrounded by beautiful oak panelling which contains original candle shelves. There is also a wonderful beam archway in front of the substantial bay window, which lets plenty of light pour in.
The home has four double bedrooms - although one currently serves as a home office as there are a multitude of fitted bookshelves. For the two largest bedrooms, there some steps leading up to each one of these, meaning that while most of the property is on one level, there are still quirky elevation changes. Of these bedrooms, the triple-aspect master suite has another bay window, which lets natural light, as well as a wonderful woodland view, cascade in. This room also boasts an en-suite shower room. Further washing facilities are found in the family bathroom – which has a bath tub along with a walk-in shower – as well as the cloakroom, which is found at the far end of the utility room.
Beneath the master bedroom, there is a fantastic room which is presently used as a vast storage area, but in previous years, this has served as a games an music room - there is light and power to this space so it could also be used as a home office or gym. There is also a cellar tucked away underneaththe oldest part of the property.
Outside there are terraced lawns at the front of the home and, around the property, there are several lovely seating areas, one of which is next to the utility room and this is a lovely gravelled area, surrounded by sloping flower beds which come alive with vibrant blooms in the spring.
At the rear end of the home, there is a paddock on sloping land, and livestock has been kept here previously as the property was once registered as a smallholding. Currently, the land is a delightful haven which would provide perfect imagination fuel for children. Several Plum trees, a cherry tree and sprigs of wild garlic grow around the expanse and a large hazel bush also produces prolific amount of nuts while elderberry bushes offer the opportunity for homemade champagne production.
To add even further to the idyllic sense of the space, an abundance of wildflowers – orchids, cowslips, bluebells, wild daffodils, violets, primroses, campion and more - bloom around this magical setting throughout the spring and summer.
In terms of outbuildings, there is a stone barn at the top of the paddock and this could either give space to store gardening equipment or it may be utilised as a sheltered and dry hub for youngsters to camp out while they make the most of the fantastic grounds. There is even more storage space in the lock-up container, which is found next to the off-road parking area.
General
Services
Mains water and electricity. Oil central heating. Septic tank. Telephone line and broadband, with Ultrafast Gigaclear broadband coming shortly.
Local Authority
Forest of Dean District Council 01594 810000 Council Tax: Band C
Tenure
Freehold
Directions
From Ross, take the A40 towards Gloucester and proceed through Weston-under-Penyard and Ryeford, then take the right-hand turning for Drybrook/Cinderford. Continue along this road and, just after the Drybrook 30mph sign, turn left at the crossroads, signposted Wigpool. Take the first turning left shortly afterwards and proceed for approximately one mile. Then, when the lane swings round to the right, turn left onto the unmade track, continue past the farm buildings, and take the left-hand fork. Keep following the track down hill and go under the yellow bars overhead. Then take the next turning right, pass a white cottage on your right and then a stone cottage on the left. Continue along to the very end of the track and there, set back in its own surroundings, is the property.
What3words code: shrug.beyond.hazelnut
Agent's note: Please note that Foxley Manor was once called 'Perch Cottage'.
Read less
