A fine 19th-century home with a marvellous material palette
A fine 19th-century home with a marvellous material palette
This distinguished four-bedroom home sits within the coveted Montpellier conservation area in Cheltenham. A magnificent double reception room has soaring ceilings and two original fireplaces, while contemporary Crittall glazing connects the dining area with the garden beyond. On the first floor, a tranquil roof terrace affords views across the refined townscape.
Setting the Scene
Most of the houses in the Montpellier conservation area were built in the 1830s, and the local architecture is rich with historic architecture. Montpellier became popular with the upper classes in the Regency and Victorian periods, when its mineral waters made it a desirable spa destination.
Built in the 19th century, this house retains many of its period features, including sash windows, ornate fireplaces and original timber floorboards.
The Grand Tour
A path of colourful geometric tiles leads to the front door. A smart entrance hall with original timber floorboards leads to a voluminous double reception room, its walls picked out in a warm ochre hue. Neat cornicing traces high ceilings, and there are two fireplaces with intricate detailing.
A deVol kitchen has fine green cabinetry and quartz work surfaces. Appliances include a Rangemaster oven, and there is a butler sink with brass fittings. A bay window looks toward the front of the house, while a large dining area sits to the rear. A wall of Crittall glazing is inset with double doors that unfold onto the garden beyond.
An original timber staircase ascends to the first floor. The principal bedroom is illuminated by two sash windows and has handy fitted storage. An en suite bathroom has a walk-in shower and a bay window.
There are two additional bedrooms on this floor, one with an original fireplace. There is also access to the terrace from the landing. A separate bathroom on the first-floor landing has a bathtub and a separate shower.
The second floor is home to a further bedroom, its walls painted in Farrow and Ball's 'Hague Blue'. It has an en suite shower room with a wide walk-in shower and green tiling.
Beneath the house is a large cellar. There is also a boot room/utility room and a WC on the ground floor.
The Great Outdoors
A peaceful and private courtyard garden sits at the rear of the house, tiled with reclaimed Welsh quarry tiles. A lawned area is bordered by an original Cheltenham brick retaining wall pulled from the original house during restoration, along with mostly evergreen plants, including ceanothus, windmill palms, banana musa basjoo trees, fatsia japonica and hydrangeas. This delightful space has plenty of room to dine outside in the warmer months.
A private terrace on the first floor has far-reaching views across the rooftops. There is more established evergreen planting here.
Out and About
A perfect foothold to explore the Cotswolds, this is a storied part of beautiful Cheltenham. Its vibrant streets are peppered with period houses and an eclectic mix of independent boutiques, art galleries and restaurants.
Close local favourites include 131; The Ivy, which is located in the Grade I-listed Montpellier Rotunda; Lumiere; Brasserie Blanc; and the Michelin-starred Le Champignon Sauvage. all within a short walk. The wonderful amenities of Bath Road are also within easy walking distance.
The area is also close to Park Campus, the creative hub of the University of Gloucestershire. The house is a four-minute walk from Cheltenham College and its cricket festival - the oldest in the world. Part of the original Montpellier Spa developed in the 19th century, Montpellier Gardens are on the doorstep and home to tennis courts, a playground and an art gallery.
Cheltenham is also renowned for its festivals of literature (the longest running in the world), jazz, film, folk music, comedy and science. It also has a busy racing calendar, including the Gold Cup.
A 12-minute stroll from the house, the Promenade is lined with shops. Cheltenham Spa station, the town's famous racecourse, and the historic pump rooms in Pittville Park are all walkable. Sandford Parks Lido is heated and open throughout most of the year.
The Cotswolds National Landscape can be reached in around 20 minutes, with its extensive networks of bridle and walking paths and the Cotswold Way. Daylesford and Soho Farmhouse are other local highlights.
Cheltenham has brilliant schooling options. In the state sector, these include Balcarras and Pates Grammar School, while Cheltenham College, Dean Close and Cheltenham Ladies College are well-regarded independent schools.
Cheltenham Spa station is a 22-minute walk from the house, with railway services to London Paddington in just over two hours. There is easy access to the A40 and M5, and a useful link via the A419 to the M4. Birmingham Airport and Bristol Airport can be reached in around an hour by car.
Council Tax Band: D
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