Toad Hall
Linton, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 7RT
Much like its fictitious namesake from the Wind in the Willows, Toad Hall in Linton is a handsome country home. The converted red sandstone barn is set in an idyllic south Herefordshire village and boasts supreme far-reaching views of the black mountains of south-east Wales, the Malvern Hills, and the peaks in the Bredon Hill National Nature Reserve.
Three double bedrooms * Open-plan lounge/dining room * Snug * Conservatory * Study/fourth bedroom * Two kitchens * Family bathroom * Shower room * Boot room * Private courtyard * Sun terrace * Tiered rear garden * Integral double garage * Ample off-road parking *
Location
Linton is a picturesque village, roughly five miles from Ross-on-Wye, a popular market town that offers a good variety of supermarkets, shops, restaurants, leisure facilities and highly-regarded schools.
A grand 13th-century church stands in the centre of Linton and the Alma Inn, a family-run pub, is a short distance away. In 2021, this was recently crowned pub of the year by Herefordshire's branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) - and this accolade marked the third time that the inn has earned this award since the current landlords took over in 2015. Each June the Alma Inn hosts Linton Festival, a three-day long music festival and, later in the year, the pub also stages the one-day-long Linton Summer Sessions. Both events raise money for various charities, most of which benefit the local community.
There is a second popular pub within walking distance of Linton; The Penny Farthing Inn, a 17th century pub and restaurant is situated a in the neighbouring village of Aston Crews just over a mile away and this establishment frequently attracts rave reviews for its food.
There is a hive of activity throughout the year in this lively village– for instance; a wine club launched at the village hall in October 2021 and this venue regularly hosts a plethora of other events such as community lunches, yoga classes, live music, and much more. In addition to this, there are community-spirited initiatives on around Linton year-round such as litter picks and, each Hallowe'en, the villagers all come together to each create a spooky display; the residents all carve Jack-o-Lanterns and these pumpkins are put on display in the centre of the village for visitors to admire.
Linton is also within easy reach of amenities: The South Herefordshire Golf course is less than a mile away and the village of Gorsley is just over a mile away. This setting boasts a shop, public house and Gorsley Goffs Primary School, which is rated 'Good' by Ofsted. The village of Lea, two miles away, also offers a village store, garage and Church of England primary school which is graded 'Good' by Ofsted.
The M50 motorway is approximately one mile away and provides excellent commuter links to the M5 giving good access to Birmingham, the North, Bristol and the South. The A40, three miles away, leads to the M4 at Newport, giving good access to Cardiff, Wales and the South.
The home at a glance
Originally constructed in the 18th century as a farm barn, this property was subsequently adopted into an agricultural museum in the 1920s. More recently, the stone barn was transformed into a substantial home which was dubbed 'Toad Hall'.
The property is set just off a country lane, and a sizeable off-road parking area – enough to accommodate around half a dozen vehicles – serves as a barrier between this lane and a wooden door which leads into a private, sun-trap courtyard. There is a flagstone path around a manicured lawn, as well as a water fountain and a patio seating area.
The entrance to the home leads into a boot room, which provides plenty of space to take off coats, hats and boots after a day enjoying the great outdoors, as well as a wealth of storage space.
Beyond this, there is a corridor which is streamed with plenty of natural light, which leads between the rooms on the north-east side of the home. At the far right-hand side of this, there is a beautifully bright and open-plan lounge/dining room. This characterful space carries exposed beams, a lovely brick fireplace which houses a wood-burning stove and an engineered oak floor. The piece-de resistance, however, is the magnificent view; a bay window one side of the room features a lovely outlook of the immaculate courtyard but an extensive set of French doors, as well as a window on the opposite side of the room exhibit a spellbinding panoramic view of the Malvern Hills, further summits in Worcestershire, the surrounding patchwork fields, and a multitude of apple orchards.
A cased opening at the dining side of the room leads through into the well-equipped kitchen which features an induction hob, self-cleaning oven, waste disposal unit, integrated dishwater and a microwave oven/grill. There is also a built-in wine rack, a larder and space for an American-sized fridge/freezer. In addition, a Worcester Bosch combi-boiler is discreetly housed inside one of the cupboards.
The family bathroom is an excellent size and this includes a corner bath as well as a double walk-in shower cubicle, a basin, a bidet and a WC. There is also space and plumbing in the corner of the room for both a washing machine and a tumble dryer.
The master bedroom is found at the far left-hand end of the north-east side of the home. This includes a generous dressing room as well as another excellent view towards the Malvern Hills. There is also characterful alcove which lends an ideal space to display pretty trinkets or books.
A study is the first room on the north-west side of the home and this features a lovely exposed beam as well as a window which showcases the Linton ridge.
Beyond this, there is another double bedroom, which once again boasts a lovely outlook of the surrounding countryside.
Another reception room is found beyond here. This features another characterful alcove – but this one is much larger and sizeable enough to accommodate a table and chairs. On the left-hand side of the room, a set of French doors lead out to a conservatory which has a lovely outlook of the courtyard.
A staircase leads up to the garage. At the lower level, there is a door giving access to the garage itself, and on the floor above, there is a space which serves as a self-contained annexe – ideal for multi-generational living or a holiday rental opportunity. There is an expansive double bedroom which features a vaulted ceiling, trusses and exposed beams and there is another excellent view – this time, of the Welsh Black Mountains as well as the local landmark, Penyard Hill. There is also a lovely kitchenette as well as a shower room.
At the rear of the property, there is an excellent sun terrace, which is sheltered by a glass veranda and thus gives an ideal space to stage barbeques during the warmer months. This spot overlooks the phenomenal view of the Malvern Hills and surrounding countryside. There are also steps which lead down to a lovely herb garden and a level lawn area, which is bordered by a plethora of shrubs and herbaceous plants.
At the bottom of the garden, there is a stone path which leads around the boundary and, tucked away in the corner, there is a greenhouse which gives an owner opportunity to grow their own fresh produce. In addition, there is also an apple tree with three varieties in the rear garden plus a gooseberry bush and, next to the off-road parking area, there is a damson tree.
Those who loved Kenneth Grahame's beloved tale, The Wind in the Willows, will recall his Toad Hall, which he described as a "handsome, dignified old house of mellowed red brick with well-kept lawns..." His jovial character, Toad, is extremely house proud and proclaims that his home is the "finest house on the whole river…or anywhere else for that matter." There is no doubt that an owner of Toad Hall in Linton would have due cause to be equally as appreciative of their home.
General
Services
Mains water and electricity. LPG gas central heating. Septic tank. Telephone line and broadband.
Tenure
Freehold
Local authority
Herefordshire Council. 01432 260000
Council Tax: Band F
Directions
From Ross-on-Wye, at the Travellers Rest roundabout, take the second exit and take the B4221 through Phocle Green and Upton Bishop. After Upton Bishop take the right hand turning to Linton and Cross the bridge over the M50 and enter the village of Linton. Pass the church on the left-hand side of the road, then take the left-hand turn, then take the right-hand fork onto The Ridge. Stay on this road for around one kilometre and Toad Hall can be found on the left-hand side of the road.
Ross-on-Wye 6 miles • Gloucester 15 miles •
Hereford 17 miles • Cheltenham 22 miles •
Worcester 31 miles • Bristol 43 miles •
(All distances are approximate)
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