The AbbeyWarwick Road | Southam | CV47 0HN

THE ABBEY | SOUTHAM

The Abbey is an elegant Jacobean detached property with a wealth of traditional features providing versatile and practical living accommodation for one or two

families. It has close to an acre of gardens and a detached four-car garage. Grade II listed. EPC exempt.

The first thing you notice as you approach the house from Warwick Road are the impressive Dutch gables on the original frontage. These are echoed by further gables on the recently added garages and

1970s extension. The Abbey’s exterior features were lauded in architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner’s ‘Buildings of England’ — a classic compendium of the most notable buildings in the country.

Three generations of the Kings/Davies family have lived in The Abbey in Southam over the past 17 years: David and Diana Kings; their daughter Deborah and husband Jim, and their two teenage boys.

“The property has been painstakingly restored. All the bathroom fittings have been updated and replaced, with the exception of an original pre-war cast-iron bath on the top floor. The heating system has been completely overhauled, with an efficient gas-fired double boiler system. However, we made sure to keep the fabulous quadruple red Aga stove in the main kitchen, which is the heart of the home,” says David.

Set within the Southam Conservation area The Abbey dates from the very early 17th century. This unique and individual property is beautifully presented. Features include, large spine beams with stepped stops, some 17th-century plank doors and 18th-century cupboards, original flagstone floors, an inglenook fireplace with a massive timber beam above and four hand-carved blue Horton stone fireplaces.

The grand living reception hall, with its inglenook fireplace, is at the centre of the original home. Other reception rooms include the first floor sitting room with beautiful oriel window, dining room, a ground floor sitting room, library, main kitchen/family room and second kitchen.

Historic

“The Abbey is full of fascinating architectural features,” says David. “There are four hand-crafted Horton stone fireplaces and a beautiful Jacobean staircase. Many of the windows feature hand-made glass, each beam has been hand carved. In the past the house has been owned by wealthy surgeons and clergymen. Probably the most notable owner was Arthur Barnett, of the famous Coventry motorcycle firm, in the early 1900s.”

“We wanted to respect the historic nature of the building while creating a comfortable, contemporary living space,” says David. “ We sourced master craftsmen with replica tools to restore the oak floors and original windows. We also commissioned an architect to design a new 800-square-foot, four-car garage in a style sympathetic to the original Jacobean house.”

Versatile

The 17th century baluster staircase leads to the first floor with a galleried landing. Here there are four large double bedrooms, two with en-suite bathrooms, and a family bathroom. To the second floor are three further bedrooms, a bathroom and a recreation room.

From the main hall a stone staircase takes you down to the flagstone floored cellar with slate wine bins.The accommodation could easily be arranged to house two families.

“The house offers very flexible living permutations. There are currently two front and two back doors, so each family can come and go as they please. With two kitchens and separate living spaces, we don’t have to live in each other’s pockets, but we can still see each other when we choose,” says Jim.

“The boys have their own space — including a games/study room — on the top floor. Deborah and Jim run a copywriting business from a studio on the first floor. David has a well-stocked library that looks out on to the garden on the ground floor. Obviously these arrangements could be changed or adapted depending on the owners’ needs.”

“It feels like a special place to live. We never tire of gazing at the beautiful Cedar of Lebanon tree from our bedroom window,” says Deborah. “It was said to have been planted in 1771 by seven-year-old Miss Chambers. It’s a local landmark that you can see from many places in Southam.”

“There’s a priest hole in our bedroom (currently used to store clothes), which isn’t surprising considering the Civil War started just down the road in Kineton. There are wonderful reminders of history tucked away in every corner of the house,” adds Jim.

Impressive

Outside The Abbey is approached from Warwick Road through a pair of early 19th-century pillars, from which are hung heavy wrought iron gates. The circular gravelled drive is ringed with seven staddle-stones, two Edwardian lampposts and a well. A beautiful Cedar of Lebanon dating from 1771 completes the picture.There is garaging for four cars in the detached garage.The rear gardens have a ha-ha, a small orchard, a number of ancient yew trees and extensive lawns. They provide privacy and seclusion.The side delivery entrance on Abbey Lane is a stone staircase with a wrought iron balustrade leading to an inner courtyard with three outhouses. The grounds in total are close to one acre.

“One of the nicest things about living in The Abbey is the wonderful walled garden,” says Diana. “It sometimes feels like you’re sitting in your own private park. The space is secluded and perfect for outdoor entertaining, somewhere children can safely play and adults can enjoy their downtime. I have spent many a happy hour planting shrubs and perennials, while Jim has enjoyed growing vegetables.”

Agent Notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in imperial with metric equivalents and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances reffered tohave not been tested and therefore no gaurantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproducedfor general information and it must not be infered that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contactthe numbers listed on the brochure.

Agent Notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in imperial with metric equivalents and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances reffered tohave not been tested and therefore no gaurantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproducedfor general information and it must not be infered that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contactthe numbers listed on the brochure.

LocationSoutham is a small market town in the

Stratford-on-Avon district of Warwickshire. Southam has three primary schools and a

secondary school. There is a leisure centre with swimming pool and gym. The main shopping street runs through the centre of town. Each Tuesday there is a small but popular market

and a farmers’ market on the second Saturday of each month. There is a range of shops, restaurants and pubs in the town centre.

ServicesAll mains services are connected.

Local AuthorityStratford-on-Avon

Viewing ArrangementsStrictly via the vendors sole agents Fine &

Country on 01926 455950.

WebsiteFor more information visit

www.fineandcountry.com/uk/Leamington-Spa

Opening Hours:Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 5.30 pmSaturday 9.00 am - 4.30 pmSunday 11.00 am – 3.00 pm

Directions On Warwick Road close to the

centre of Southam

Surrounded by trees and greenery, it’s easy to forget that you are living in a market town, with all its amenities right on the doorstep. There are a wide range of shops, including hairdressers, post office, florists, banks, restaurants, pubs, convenience stores, newsagents, ironmongers and a Tesco supermarket. There are also two doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, and a leisure centre with a 25-metre pool and well-equipped gym.

“As for schools,” adds Deborah, “there are at least three pre-school nurseries, three primary schools and Southam College, where our boys are currently studying, which has an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted report.”

Jim travels to London from Banbury station at least once a week, a journey of less than an hour. The commuter links from Southam are very good — you can catch regular trains from Leamington Spa, Rugby or Banbury. The M40 is nearby, as are the historic towns of Leamington Spa, Warwick, Banbury, and Stratford upon Avon. Jim and Deborah enjoy catching performances at the Royal Shakespeare Company theatre.

Southam

Tel 01926 455950Fine & Country Leamington Spa 158 Parade, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4AE fineandcountry.com