luxury houses with reception room for sale Stockbridge, United Kingdom

Maidenstone Heath is one of the most historically significant private residences in Hampshire - a substantial period house of medieval origin set within approximately 3.5 acres of landscaped grounds on the west bank of the River Hamble, with its own private lake, a detached one-bedroom cottage, boathouse and double garage, extending in total to over 8,200 square feet across the main house, annexe and outbuildings. Offering five principal bedrooms, three bathrooms, five reception rooms and a suite of first-floor offices, it presents a rare combination of historic provenance, generous family accommodation and practical workspace in one of Bursledon's most secluded and sought-after positions. The name Maidenstone Heath appears in the historical record as far back as 1353, when a deed recorded a grant of land at the site, and the estate is known to have supported a settled community from at least the 14th century - possibly earlier. The Oysel, Sonday, Blundell and Spencer Smith families are all woven into its story across six centuries, and the property lane itself - Blundell Lane, understood to follow the course of an ancient Saxon drove road to. Winchester - bears the name of the family who owned the estate for much of the 19th century. The core of the present house is understood to date from the 16th century, and the estate retains a quality of timelessness rare in a property so close to both the motorway and the city. Approached via a long, sweeping private drive that curves through mature planting to a broad gravelled sweep in front of the house, the setting immediately conveys the seclusion and scale of the property. The house sits well back from the lane, screened by established trees, and the front grounds open directly towards the River Hamble, with views across the water from the principal elevations. The architecture is characterful and unhurried - warm brickwork, generous proportions and a rhythm of tall sash windows reflecting the Victorian-era improvements that shaped the house into the substantial residence it is today. Accommodation The ground floor is arranged around a generous central lobby, from which the principal reception rooms unfold with a natural sense of flow. Five distinct reception spaces serve a variety of purposes: a sitting room of considerable proportions (just over 24 feet in length), a formal dining room of similar scale, an elegant drawing room extending to over 28 feet - the largest room in the house and a natural venue for entertaining - and a quieter reading room[KM1.1]. A fully equipped gym completes the ground-floor reception accommodation, occupying a well-proportioned room adjoining the kitchen wing. The kitchen and breakfast room lies at the heart of the domestic side of the house, with space for both a cooking and dining area, and connects directly to a utility room of practical scale. The rear section of the first floor has been thoughtfully arranged as a self-contained working environment, with four separate offices of varying sizes, served by their own circulation space and entirely separate in character from the residential accommodation at the front. This arrangement — professional yet private, integrated yet discreet - makes Maidenstone Heath genuinely suitable for those running a significant business from home without compromise to family life. The residential first floor is entered from the main staircase and opens onto a broad landing serving the principal bedroom suite, which is exceptionally generous at nearly 18 by 17 feet, with a dedicated dressing room and en-suite bathroom. Two further double bedrooms and a family shower room complete this level, together with a versatile playroom. The second floor provides two further bedrooms - both good doubles - alongside a cosy snug ideal for a sitting room or quiet retreat, and a four-piece bathroom of notable quality. A terrace[KM2.1] is also accessed from this level, providing an elevated outdoor space with views across the grounds. The Cottage Set within the grounds and entirely independent of the main house, the detached annexe offers an open-plan lounge and kitchen, a bedroom and Two bathroom[KM3.1]s, one with a bath and another with a shower - well suited to use as a guest suite, staff accommodation or a source of rental income. It adds a further 678 square feet to the overall accommodation. Grounds and Outbuildings The grounds extend to approximately 3.5 acres and have been landscaped to make the most of the waterside position. A private boating lake sits within the grounds - an extraordinary feature for a residential property - with a substantial boathouse extending to approximately 1,000 square feet, offering excellent storage and convenient access to the nearby waterfront. The sweeping driveway is itself a statement arrival, with established planting on either side giving the approach a sense of ceremony. Ample off-road parking is provided. A substantial outbuilding - nearly 1,000 square feet across two floors, with a barn and store - provides considerable scope for further workshop, storage or conversion, subject to consent. The front grounds enjoy open views over the River Hamble, with the changing light on the water forming a constant and captivating backdrop throughout the day. A public footpath from Blundell Lane runs north along the river directly into the River Hamble Country Park, providing immediate access to miles of walking along the shoreline without setting foot on a road. Location Bursledon occupies the western bank of the River Hamble at a point where the river widens before its estuary, and the village has been shaped by that relationship with the water across many centuries. The Jolly Sailor, one of Hampshire's most celebrated waterside pubs, and the nearby Elephant Boatyard - where vessels including HMS Elephant were built - are among the landmarks that recall the area's long shipbuilding and maritime heritage. The river itself offers sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing, and the Hamble is one of the most active sailing waters on the south coast. For everyday needs, the village has a good range of local facilities, and both Waitrose and Marks & Spencer are within easy reach. The River Hamble Country Park provides further open space and recreational amenity. The Hamble Sports Complex offers gym, pool and court facilities nearby. Southampton city centre is approximately 4.5 miles by road, with West Quay shopping centre, extensive dining, museums, galleries and cultural venues all accessible within a short drive. Southampton Airport is 6.6 miles from the property. Commuters are well served: Bursledon railway station is just 0.3 miles away, with services to Southampton Central in around 21 minutes and London Waterloo in approximately 1 hour 10 minutes via Southampton Airport Parkway. The M27 Junction 8 is 1.5 miles from the property, connecting directly to the M3 for London. Property Information Tenure: Freehold Council Tax: Band H Local Authority: Eastleigh Borough Council EPC: D Construction: Brick with clay tiled roof ; core of house understood to date from the 16th century with later Victorian improvements Services: Mains water, gas and electricity; private sewage via septic tank Heating: Gas central heating Broadband: FTTP – ultrafast Broadband - buyers should refer to the Ofcom Checker for speeds and coverage. Mobile coverage: Buyers should confirm 4G/5G availability with their provider Parking: Double garage and extensive driveway parking Outbuildings: Detached one-bedroom annexe/cottage; Substantial boathouse double garage Restricted Covenants: An Agreement dated 8 April 1994 ... relates to the development of the land in this title. The said deed also contains restrictive covenants affecting part of the land in this title. – Please ask for more details. Historical note: The estate has a documented history dating to at least 1353, with references in the Hound manor court records and subsequent Hampshire Record Office deeds. A full ancestry research report commissioned from Debrett Ancestry Research Ltd (2012) is available for inspection.