Detached house for sale in Garden House, Southwell, Nottinghamshire NG25

This superb seven-bedroom house is set within a secret Georgian walled garden that melds with beautifully landscaped grounds of around half an acre. Designed with high energy efficiency in mind, its expansive and light-filled internal plan spans just shy of 4,600 sq ft. The house sits in the coveted hamlet of Westhorpe on the south-westerly edge of Southwell town, with good connections to the rolling surrounding countryside and to Nottingham, which lies 18 miles to the south.

Environmental Performance

The internal living space is partially earth-sheltered to conserve its heat and energy, with double-height glass walls and ceilings inviting an excellent quality of natural light and solar collection. The house also benefits from a heat recovery system and rainwater harvesting.

The Tour

A concealed entrance gives a sense of seclusion, with little of the house revealed from the walled courtyard. A private driveway leads to a sheltered carport, where there is room to park several cars next to the house. There is also a log store, an outside storeroom and a smaller front courtyard garden.

On entering, the dynamic layout of the house is gradually unveiled. Designed collaboratively by the owners, an architect and a landscape architect, it has been created with both commonality and quiet retreat in mind; free-flowing communal rooms perfectly balance calmer, reflective areas.

Replete with cleverly designed interventions and details, the house has a fun, playful feel. With the southerly side of the house constructed almost entirely of double-height, oak-framed glass walls, there is exceptional natural light throughout and a seamless visual relationship with the gardens. Much of the house is grounded by warm-toned oak flooring, which echoes the surrounding scenery.

The ground floor comprises a series of interconnected living and dining rooms. The kitchen feels open and sociable, with bespoke cabinetry and free-standing worktops. An adjoining pantry provides ample storage.

A timber wine rack above the kitchen cupboards doubles as a staircase and leads up to the herb garden on the roof, which has views over open fields and the Georgian walls. This is a sunny, elevated spot for a morning coffee or to enjoy a sundowner in the soft evening light, which falls on this side of the house in the later hours.

The living room is a warm and welcoming space, with a log-burning stove at the heart of the room and painted-white brick walls. Glass doors open directly onto the garden at one side, with the second set of glazing doors opening onto the upper conservatory.

Six of the seven sleeping areas are on the lower level of the house, each well-proportioned, private and soundproofed. A pitched glass ceiling overhead allows dramatic shards of light to scatter across the lower floor, complete with hand-crafted timber hatches that can shut out the light and preserve heat during the winter.

The main bedroom, at the far end of the lower floor, has an en suite bathroom and access to the private courtyard. The seventh bedroom is set independently within the eaves, a secluded area for visiting guests. An internal workshop, accessible from the house or the garage below, offers great versatility of use.

On the south side of the house, the double-height conservatory provides a seamless transition between the outside and in, with platforms strategically positioned to enjoy the views in their fullness.

Outdoor Space

Developed over 20 years, the gardens are exceptional. Deep, dense borders of herbaceous perennials are lined with yew and box hedging. Wavering grasses, swathes of wild meadow planting and ponds create a verdant haven for wildlife, and an extraordinarily productive vegetable plot and chickens offer great scope for self-sufficiency. Tall deciduous specimen trees and the original red-brick walls provide excellent privacy, and there are numerous terraces carved out for summer lunches. There is also a delightful potting shed and a fruit orchard.

The Area

Often referred to as 'the jewel in Nottinghamshire's crown', Southwell is a sought-after, picturesque market town characterised by its red-brick buildings. The town has a rich history with Southwell Minster, one of the finest Norman naves in Europe, Archbishop's Palace and National Trust's Victorian Workhouse, all part of Southwell’s rich architectural backstory.

Southwell has a social and vibrant community, playing host to several music and cultural festivals annually and a diverse range of independent shops, restaurants, cafés and numerous traditional pubs.

For a broader selection of leisure activities, the city of Nottingham lies around 18 miles south. Nottingham's city centre is full of bars and eateries, with favourite coffee stops including Tamper and Cloud, while Forge Bakehouse is known for its delicious fare. Bench - bakery by day-wine bar by night – is a neighbourhood shop selling natural wines and a selection of small plates. The Pearl is another delicious spot for small plates and accompanying cocktails, while Beer of Smod brews adventurous beers.

Garden House sits within the catchment for Ofsted-rated "Outstanding" state and private schooling options. Rail connections are excellent, with direct train services running from Newark North Gate Station (a 20-minute drive from the house) to London King's Cross in around an hour and 20 minutes.

Council Tax Band: G