Alscot Cottage

About The House Cont'd

On the ground floor the front door opens into the reception hall which gives access to a period staircase to the first floor. The sitting room and formal dining room on either side of the hall overlook the cottage gardens and driveway to the front and have brick inglenook fireplaces. The kitchen/breakfast/family room provides an open- plan family space, and the family room also has doors to the garden and a staircase to the first-floor landing. The house and garden enjoy open views of the Chilterns countryside, with the chalk hill carving Whiteleaf Cross on Whiteleaf Hill clearly visible.

Ground Floor Reception Rooms

The front door opens into the original hallway which gives access to the period staircase leading to the first floor. The dining room and sitting room form part of the original 17th century cottage and are reached from this entrance hall. The dining room has a quarry tiled floor, exposed ceiling beams, a window to the front garden, and an inglenook fireplace. The sitting room also overlooks the front garden, has exposed beams and timbers, a brick floor, and an inglenook fireplace with a wood burner. The wood surround of this original fireplace features ancient etchings of fairy circles - just one of many examples of the period character and charm which define the property.

Kitchen/Breakfast Room

The kitchen has a flagstone floor and a hand crafted Smallbone of Devizes kitchen which is complemented by granite worktops. Integrated appliances include an electric Aga with an induction hob. The breakfast area has an oak parquet floor and a large built-in dresser and has space for a table and chairs to seat eight and is open plan to the family room.

Family Room

The family room, used by the vendors as a summer sitting room, is dual aspect onto the rear garden and has French doors to the outside terrace. Reclaimed pine flooring complements the staircase that leads to the first floor, and bespoke cabinetry includes bookcases and storage cupboards.

Cloakroom, Boot Room and Utility Room

Just off the kitchen lies a boot room which has a slate floor and a stable door leading outside, used by the vendors as an alternative front door. The boot room has a cloakroom to one side, and on the other side a dual aspect study and adjacent utility room which has a new oil-fired boiler, shelving and a ceiling mounted drying rack.

First Floor Bedrooms and Bathrooms

The bedrooms are all arranged on the first floor and can be accessed from either of the two staircases. The principal bedroom features a vaulted ceiling, creating a voluminous, double height space. There are two bespoke fitted wardrobes and the room enjoys views over the front garden. A bathroom with a claw footed bath, a washstand with a storage cupboard below, and WC is located adjacent to this bedroom.

Detached Annexe and Party Barn

The detached timber framed outbuilding comprises a closed garage and two bays, currently used as a party barn/games room. An outside staircase leads to the annexe above which has views from the top of the steps over the rear garden and countryside beyond. The open plan room has a vaulted ceiling, three Velux windows and a kitchenette and a shower room. The space is ideal for multigenerational living or as accommodation for visiting friends and family. Equally, it could be used as an Airbnb to generate additional income if desired.

Garden & Grounds

The front garden has an original brick pathway which leads from a gate on the lane to the front door. Wild flowers, cottage garden perennials and old roses flank this pathway on both sides, and beautiful gardens surround the property. Both the front and back gardens are landscaped with large areas of lawn, bounded by post and rail fencing leading to a small stream at the end of the garden. Of particular note are the vast selection of specimen trees, many planted by the vendors, which include Silver Birch, Fig, Jacob, Beech, Red Maple, Red Oak, Walnut, Hornbeam, Amelanchier and Yew. There is also apple and pear tree orchard. The rear garden is south westerly facing and benefits from several seating areas, with York stone terraces to the front and rear together with a gravelled patio, giving ideal space for entertaining friends and family. A gated gravelled driveway provides extensive parking and leads to a two bay barn and closed garage with the annexe above.

Situation and Schooling

Alscot is a hamlet at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, located between the market town of Princes Risborough and the village of Longwick. The property is a short walk (0.7 miles) from Princes Risborough high street which has a variety of shops, restaurants, and public houses. There is also a swimming and leisure complex, a GP and dental surgery, a tennis and bowls club, and a golf club. The mainline station operates a fast and frequent rail service to London Marylebone, and the M40 motorway (J4 and J5) also gives easy access to London and the M25 and M4 motorways. Buckinghamshire is renowned for its excellent schooling, both state and private, and has more grammar schools than any other county. Alscot Cottage is in catchment for grammar schools in High Wycombe and Aylesbury.