Mercia House - sleeps 8 guests in 4 bedrooms

About

Mercia House will strike you as an interesting medieval property, with exposed timbers and the classic overhang, or jettying, of homes of the mid-16th century. You could be forgiven, however, for thinking it might not be big enough or luxurious enough to sleep eight guests comfortably. But, as the saying goes, never judge a book by its cover… Mercia House is much, much more than it looks from the roadside. The original part of Mercia House (which includes today's sitting room, snug, bedrooms 3 and 4 and the side that you see from Hailes Road), dates back to the mid-16th century, while the rear of the house, including the open-plan kitchen-living-dining area, study/playroom, family shower room, bedrooms 1 and 2 and terrace/patio, are an uber-stylish, contemporary addition made by the current owners in 2018. At the back of the house is a delightful outdoor space, including an elevated terrace directly outside the open-plan dining-living area, with fabulous views of the Isbourne Valley and Sudeley Hill, a large patio with outdoor furniture and a charcoal BBQ for al fresco dining, and a long sloping lawn with mature trees and planted borders that leads down to a garden gate and the steps to the private parking area. Two well-behaved dogs are welcome. Ground Floor Sitting Room: This historic room features an inglenook fireplace, with a wood burner, beautiful parquet flooring, and exposed original oak beams. It is furnished with a two-seater sofa and two beautiful leather “bucket” chairs, while a resplendent chess table is laid up ready for a game and a long case clock watches silently over the scene. This room was originally the servants' quarters, where they would have cooked food and roasted food in the large fireplace, which would have also heated their masters in the master bedroom above. Snug: Across the hallway from the Sitting Room is the Snug, which again features a stone hearth and wood burner, beautiful parquet flooring, and exposed original beams. With its large antique desk, seating, and bookcases full of a wide choice of reading matter, this is a great room to hide away to read, relax or work. Down three steps and into the magnificent and contemporary ground floor extension. Utility Room: The handy Utility Room is where the washer and dryer are located, as well as a sink and cupboards housing an iron and all the various appliances' operating and maintenance manuals. (A locked door leads to the basement; this is for housekeeper/owner access only.) Continue through to the rear of the house, along the spectacular hallway with its vaulted ceiling and bridge. Kitchen-Dining Area-Living Area: This open plan, contemporary centrepiece of the house has fantastic views of the garden and uninterrupted countryside, sweeping up the Isbourne valley towards woodland and Sudeley Hill. Three sets of double doors open out to the terrace, which leads to the patio and garden. The Kitchen: At the centre of the spacious and very well-equipped kitchen is a large island with a breakfast bar with three seats and a 5-ring gas bob. Chefs will enjoy the fabulous view out to the terrace and beyond while they cook. The back half of the kitchen is fully equipped with immaculate white units, a large wooden preparation surface, a dishwasher, a double ceramic sink, and a double AEG fan oven. Dining Area: In front of the kitchen and beside the French doors to the terrace is a long, rectangular wooden table comfortably seating eight guests. Diners can enjoy the fabulous view or chat with the chefs in the kitchen! Living Area: Set to one side of the open plan area, the living area has two inviting sink-in, three-seater sofas, a statement glass coffee table, a large Samsung smart TV, and a fabulous view, So, guests can choose to relax, watch TV, read, play a game or simply unwind. Head back along the hallway and up three oak steps. Family Shower Room: The ground-floor shower room features a walk-in shower, with overhead and hand-held shower heads, a washbasin, and a WC. Study/Playroom: The windows of this bright and light room overlook the Kitchen to one side and the Living Area to the other. (Note: a double cupboard houses the property's heating controls.) First Floor Head up the beautiful oak staircase to the first floor where you will find access to two new bedrooms (1 and 2) and the original 'Master's Room', now bedroom 3 (above the sitting room). The three rooms are connected via a bridge that was built by the current owners to allow access to the back bedrooms and attic bedroom without the need to go through the master bedroom, as would have been the case in olden times. Bedroom One: This bright and light modern bedroom features a standard double bed with bedside tables and reading lights and a hanging rail for clothes. A rear window provides a lovely view over the garden and out to the surrounding Cotswold countryside, while an internal window allows guests to look down to the