luxury architect house for sale Christchurch, United Kingdom

This 19th-century house, on the edge of the New Forest, and a mile from the sea, is only an hour and a half's drive from London. Nestled in a leafy conservation area, it has distinctive terracotta hanging tiles and retains many original features including an imposing oak front door.The house has been home to the same family for over 50 years and during that time an impressive south facing garden has been established with mature planting. Verno House South is sold with recent planning permission for a beautiful re-design, the work of award-winning London-based architects Levitate. (Ref. 8/24/0761/HOU). It shows how the house can be brought up to the best of modern eco-standards while drawing on its original heritage. The property briefly comprises almost 3400 SqFt of characterful accommodation, to include four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen/diner, snug, sitting room and utility.The house was named after Rear-Admiral George Vernon Jackson who had an eventful career. His ship, the Junon, was involved in the Napoleonic Wars and was captured by the French off Guadaloupe in 1810. The rear-admiral was imprisoned in France but escaped and eventually found his way back to England. He retired to a thatched cottage on the current site of the property. When it was destroyed in a fire in 1840, a new house was built with landscaped gardens. Verno House South is half the original house which was divided in 1952. It is tucked away at the top of a drive, alongside the Tower House where the water tank was situated, Apple Cottage, where the apples were stored, and Verno Farm House which housed the stables.The house lies between Highcliffe and Christchurch on the South coast, at the Dorset/Hampshire border. There are many beaches to explore in the local area, perhaps the most popular one being at Highcliffe Castle, although the arrival of the Noisy Lobster restaurant at Avon beach, serving locally sourced seafood and artisanal coffee, has given it stiff competition. Mudeford quay, with its history of smuggling and fishing is a popular destination with idyllic Hengistbury Head a short ferry ride away. Beach huts here sell for over half a million pounds. Picturesque Christchurch harbour is where you'll find sailing and windsurfing enthusiasts. For those wanting a different shopping experience, theatre, festivals and gigs, Bournemouth is only eight miles away. The forest is a few miles down the road in the other direction where there are opportunities for walking, horse riding and cycling. In the new forest village of Brockenhurst, nine miles away, you will find ponies, donkeys and cows roaming down the high street. Foodies are well catered for. From waterfront restaurants and historical pubs to afternoon tea at the five-star hotel Chewton Glen or fresh fish and chips on the beach, Christchurch even has its own three-day Food Festival every May. There are plenty of good schooling options locally, both in the state and independent sectors. Ballard School, nine minutes' drive away, was named Co-Educational School of the Year at the Independent School of the Year Awards 2024.Southampton is easily accessed by car, and trains to London Waterloo go from the local station Hinton Admiral, or faster trains can be picked up at Christchurch, New Milton or Brockenhurst. By car, you can reach London in 90 minutes.Tenure: Freehold Council Tax Band: G EPC Rating: F

An architecturally designed, award-winning characterful home, situated on grounds of approximately 1 acre, enjoying stunning countryside views.This SUPERB CHARACTER HOME sits in grounds of approximately 1 ACRE enjoying STUNNING COUNTRYSIDE VIEWS yet in close proximity of the seaside town of BOURNEMOUTH and the many amenities available. This SPACIOUS and BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED RESIDENCE provides an amazing WORK/LIFE environment including FOUR BEDROOMS, NUMEROUS RECEPTION ROOMS, HOME OFFICE AND GYM as well as DELIGHTFUL GARDEN ROOM all within a SECURE GATED SETTING.The property offers overall floorspace in excess of 3,500 sq.ft providing spacious and versatile family living. Accommodation is arranged over three floor levels and includes a number of reception rooms. The main entrance porch leads to the welcoming foyer and through access to the living room laid with aged limestone flooring and a woodburner set within an exposed brick fire surround, whilst the adjoining garden room enjoys delightful views of the grounds and River Stour meadows.The kitchen is well equipped with a range of wooden base and wall units complemented by a full range of integrated appliances. The dual aspect dining hall has a vaulted ceiling and views to both front and rear. The spacious lounge accommodates a feature logburner and glazed doors opening to the grounds. Laid throughout with quality wooden flooring, a lovely entertaining space for family and friends.A well proportioned double bedroom with adjoining ensuite bathroom is located at this level as well as a separate cloakroom. There are three further double bedrooms – the master suite including a stylishly appointed ensuite, a generous array of built-in storage and a balcony overlooking the grounds and delightful open views beyond.A notable feature is the large outhouse situated at the front of the property which has been re-modelled to create a superb triple office suite, including a gym, sauna, kitchenette and WC also offering great potential as additional accommodation, holiday let or Air BNB.Outside the electronically gated access leads through to the driveway with ample parking, a detached double garage, double carport and courtyard. The well maintained garden, with a number of strategically placed patio areas for garden furniture, backs on to river meadows. The grounds are fully fenced with gated access from the driveway and a charming breeze house nestles discreetly in an elevated position – ideal for quiet repose in this tranquil setting!Services: Mains Electric, Gas and Mains Drainage Council Tax Band: G EPC: Band DCavity wall insulation recently installed with 25 year guarantee.Location: Throop Road is well placed for easy access to both local amenities and main transport links to the wider area with the A31/M27 linking with the M3 to London. The Bournemouth/Poole conurbation provides a wealth of retail outlets and entertainment centres, along with superb watersport facilities and the delights of Poole Harbour with its picturesque surroundings.A good variety of well regarded state and public schools are available throughout the area, together with Bournemouth University nearby. The stunning south coast with its award winning beaches and World Heritage Jurassic coastline sit to the south, whilst inland the rolling Dorset hills and areas of outstanding natural beauty of Cranborne Chase leading onward to the Cathedral town of Salisbury are just a short drive away.Poole and Bournemouth train stations offer a regular main line train service to London (Waterloo). Bournemouth and Southampton airports both offer flights to a range of domestic and foreign destinations. Cross channel ferries sail from Poole and Portsmouth.

This extraordinary home forms part of a sensitively restored and architecturally significant Grade II Listed former convent, where period grandeur has been seamlessly blended with refined contemporary living.The ground floor is introduced via a tiled foyer and hardwood-floored vestibule, where original ecclesiastical statuary immediately establishes the building’s historic character. The principal living space is truly breathtaking—an exceptional open-plan reception beneath a soaring vaulted chapel ceiling, framed by original stone arches, carved figureheads, and a striking stained glass window that floods the space with natural light.A bespoke, high-specification kitchen with dual sinks and a sociable layout overlooks the expansive lounge and dining area, where a contemporary wood burner set upon the original altar stone forms a dramatic and atmospheric focal point for both entertaining and family life.Full-width glazed doors open on either side to a beautifully enclosed brick-walled garden, complete with lawn, mature planting, an external water point, and a covered veranda—allowing for year-round enjoyment and seamless indoor-outdoor living. Adjacent, a superbly appointed utility room offers extensive integrated storage, a deep sink, dedicated space for both a washing machine and tumble dryer, a secondary freezer, and a drying cupboard, all finished with precision and understated design.The ground floor further provides three generously proportioned double bedrooms, each individually styled with meticulous attention to detail and extensive fitted storage. All benefit from elegant en-suite facilities, incorporating non-slip flooring, integrated shower seating, and carefully considered accessibility features. One en-suite is particularly notable, combining both bath and separate shower within a beautifully balanced design.Additional conveniences include a well-positioned cloakroom, discreet storage solutions, and a concealed under-stairs walk-in cupboard. A remarkable architectural feature is the original bell tower, accessed via a stone spiral staircase with lighting, culminating in the preserved chapel bell.On the lower level, the former Nuns’ Reading Room provides a serene and atmospheric retreat. Overlooking the formal cloister gardens through four sets of glazed doors, this versatile space lends itself perfectly to use as a library, cinema room, playroom, or private sitting room.The first floor introduces a further layer of architectural drama, accessed via a staircase or a discreetly concealed lift with a mirrored interior and dual handrails. The principal suite is an exceptional private sanctuary, comprising a double bedroom, dressing room, en-suite bathroom, and mezzanine lounge/office. Glazed openings reveal the original fabric of the chapel, while a preserved stained glass window forms a captivating focal point. The mezzanine overlooks the principal reception space below, enhancing the home’s extraordinary sense of volume, light, and scale.The dressing room is fitted with bespoke storage and integrated vanity space. The en-suite continues the theme of refined luxury, showcasing original stonework and stained glass alongside concealed laundry appliances for complete convenience.Throughout, the property demonstrates an uncompromising commitment to comfort and accessibility, with integrated USB charging points, comfort-height sanitaryware, mid-wall and floor-level power outlets, single-lever fittings, and discreet LED lighting seamlessly incorporated within the architecture.Externally, the property is approached via a gently ramped pathway framed by soft planting and low hedging, leading to a sheltered entrance porch. A detached double garage provides twin doors, pedestrian access, and internal log storage. Beyond the private gardens, residents enjoy access to approximately 70 acres of meticulously maintained communal grounds, including formal gardens, a lake, and mature woodland—offering an exceptional sense of space, seclusion, and natural beauty within this highly exclusive Grade II Listed estate.