I knew the name rang a bell - we used to live in Swindon and remembered this from The Sunday Times:
From The Sunday Times
November 11, 2007
Is it worth it?
Braydon Oak, Savernake Forest, Wiltshire, £700,000
Braydon Oak, Savernake Forest
Helen Davies
What it is: Braydon Oak, in the middle of the Savernake Forest – 4,500 acres of ancient woodland – is on the market for the first time in more than 150 years. Reached via a bumpy track that runs off the Capability Brown-designed Grand Avenue – which, at four miles, is the longest avenue in Britain – the four-bedroom property is set in 1.64 acres.
Formerly a gamekeeper’s cottage, then a riding school, and more recently tenanted, it has two reception rooms and cellars. It is a little less than three miles from Marlborough, and 10 from Hungerford, 80 minutes by train from London Paddington.
The problems: Bar a few holes in the roof and boarded-up windows, Braydon Oak is “in pretty good nick”, according to the agent. While structurally sound, it needs complete modernisation. It may be possible to remodel, extend or even knock it down and build a 4,000 sq ft house in its place – subject to gaining all the necessary planning consents – but a covenant prevents more than one property being built on the site. The new owner will need to spend about £175,000 to connect to mains services, and another £50,000-£100,000 on building works and decoration.
The advantages:The desire to flee the suburbs and move westwards is as relentless as ever, and this pretty part of Wiltshire has become, says the agent, “terribly fashionable” – and therefore more expensive. “A house in such a stunning and picturesque spot as this is rare,” he says. “There are no near neighbours and the property offers almost complete privacy, which is increasingly commanding premium prices.” A420 Once restored, the property – depending on what work the new owner M4M4 has carried out – could sell for between £1m and £1.5m.
Carter Jonas; 01672 514545,
www.carterjonas.co.ukand here's a photograph of it.
Lizzie