Approached over a long graveled drive, Laburnum is an impressive, spacious, well-proportioned Country House. Set in around three quarters of an acre of mainly lawned grounds, it is at once in the country with neighboring forest woodlands, and extremely accessible to Cardiff, Newport, Bristol, Monmouth and places beyond via the M4, M5, M50, mainline rail and Cardiff and Bristol Airports.
Laburnum - Your Country Escape
With origins dating back to 1840 and beyond, this is an impressive, spacious, well-proportioned 5 Bedroomed Country House set in a unique, commanding, hilltop location
Enviable Location
Historic Area, Easy Access to M4, M5, and M50, Within circa 4 miles of the charming market town of Usk, 6 miles form the Roman Fortress Town of Caerleon, and just 8 miles from the ancient Port of Chepstow, "Laburnum" benefits from convenient access to the M4 (J24 at Coldra roundabout, 6 miles, or J2 M48 at the Old Severn Bridge, 9 miles), and M50 via the A449, giving excellent connections to Bristol, London and the South West (M5), to Newport, Cardiff, and West Wales (M4), and to the the Midlands and North (M50, M5),. There are express rail services to London Paddington from Severn Tunnel Junction (Rogiet), Newport and Bristol Parkway. Airports at Bristol and Cardiff circa 40 minutes
With an excellent array of local and national shops (Waitrose, Tesco, Co-op, John Lewis, etc.) for daily and weekly requirements, a variety of private and public leisure centres and pools, a profusion of Golf Clubs, including the Celtic Manor, host to the 2010 Ryder Cup (6 miles),as well as gliding, cli
Extensive Views
Enjoying possibly the finest views in South East Wales, Laburnum is perched high on the ridge overlooking the Usk valley. This affords long, unrestricted views southwards across Newport, the Bristol Channel and North Somerset/Devon Coasts. To the northwest the views span the towns of Usk and Abergavenny to the Sugar Loaf, Brecon Beacons, Black mountains and beyond into central Wales.
Introduction
Having revelled in being ‘the folks who live on the hill' during the last decade, Freda & Michael are retiring from their nearby Caldicot based business to spend more time with family and grandchildren in Australia and elsewhere. Reluctant to let them go, this warm and welcoming house is now looking for a new set of owners who will love and enjoy its many treasures to make it their very own ‘piece of heaven'..
While Freda will miss her kitchen and larder, as well as chatting with friends and family while preparing meals, Michael will be sad to leave the fun of pool parties and sunbathing on both the pool deck and balcony, as well as the banter over sizable dinner parties.
Both of them will miss the exhilaration of early morning hot air balloons rising form the valley, the swoop of gliders below them, the buzzards and kites soaring above, the multitude of birds that share their garden, the joys of drinks and barbeques on the terrace, the sun dipping below the horizon to create
Overview
Ground Floor
Large Medieval Style oak beamed corner entrance lobby, impressive 23' x 20' reception hall, 20' x 15' breakfast kitchen with bar and walk in larder, laundry & boot room 10' x 6', generous dining room 16' x 10', 'L' shaped lounge 20' x 16', double glazed conservatory 11' x 9', cloaks & WC 6' x 4',
First Floor & Attics
'T' shaped 20' x 20' landing, Principal bedroom with huge landing dressing area and full en-suite, 4 further double bedrooms (2 en-suite), family bath and shower-room, French doors to magnificent 31' x 6'‘eat out' sun-deck balcony, 2 spacious boarded & well lit loft areas (26' x 7' & 31' x 19'),
Ancillary Buildings
Large attached double garage and workshop, detached store and potting shed, hexagonal swimming pool with large decked surround and Swedish 'log-cabin' summer and pool house.
Water
Natural spring water Is provided from the properties own bore hole, delivering pure fresh mineral water.
Description
Snuggling behind a rhododendron topped bank and sloping lawns, Laburnum is approached via a long sweeping gravel driveway. Set in landscaped grounds of approximately 0.75 acres, this fine Country House boasts a hexagonal swimming pool with fully decked surround and adjacent ‘picture book' Swedish Summerhouse.
A wide flagged stairway leads from the lower lawn to a brick paved terrace and lawn area, with pear, fig and rose trees espaliered to the side walls, while a wide sundeck balcony spans the rear on to which French doors open from the landing and principal bedroom.
Large Tudor Style Green Oak Entrance Lobby
12' 8" x 6' 9" (3.86m x 2.06m)
Underfloor heating, LED spotlights, With flagstone paved approach and 'carriage' style lighting to flanking wall. Green Oak beamed ceiling with inset LED spotlights, oak strip floor with underfloor heating, large oversize letterbox and coat racks.
Entrance Hallway
22' 11" x 18' 7" (6.99m x 5.66m)
Large Tudor Style Green Oak Entrance Lobby. This Impressive spacious reception hall, Heated by 3 radiators, boasts a beautiful feature arched window with small seating area which overlooks the terrace and panoramic views across the Usk valley.
Dining Room
15' 9" x 9' 6" (4.80m x 2.90m)
Heated by a large radiator and a feature brick fireplace, stone flag hearth and timber over-mantle. Includes two large windows to the side garden, the corniced ceiling and half glazed door to built-in shelved book case set the scene for fine dining and seating for up to 10 diners.
Light and Airy Lounge
20' 0" x 15' 7" (6.10m x 4.75m)
This is an L-shaped room with period style cornicing, shelving and alcoves.
Set off by a dressed bath stone Tudor style fireplace and hearth, this enjoys an inset coal effect living gas fire that provides a warm focus, especially for winter evening. Heated by 2 large radiators, and well-lit by windows to the side and rear.
Double Glazed Conservatory / Occassional Dining Room
11' 0" x 9' 0" (3.35m x 2.74m)
French doors, This three sided light and airy sun room enjoys extensive views over the Usk valley, while double French windows open onto a brick paved terrace and barbecue / seating area.
Off the hall a 4 panel door opens into the ground floor
Study
8' 8" x 8' 0" (2.64m x 2.44m)
Heated by hot water radiator this work area has space for 2 people and looks out under the entrance lobby to the driveway and main house approach.
Downstairs WC
The downstairs WC is adjacent to the kitchen with white Edwardian style pedestal washbasin, close coupled low level WC and heating provided by a radiator and a spacious cloakroom.
Spacious Cloakroom
Adjacent to the kitchen with white Edwardian style pedestal washbasin, close coupled low level WC and heating, radiator. The Spacious cloakroom also comprises of a window facing front.
Kitchen & Breakfast Room
19' 6" x 14' 9" (5.94m x 4.50m)
The Kitchen & Breakfast Room provide a popular ‘eat and meet' area for family and friends to chat over events and issues with ‘the cook' This 'L' shaped space is extensively fitted out with a range of base and wall cupboards.
The worktops run into a small breakfast bar, all with an ornamental plate shelf over them. There is an inset stainless steel sink with mixer tap, 5-ring LP gas hob and cooker hood/extractor, and a built in electric double oven.
This social & working area also benefits from a plumbed in dishwasher, recessed spotlighting, double sided glass display cupboards, corniced ceilings, a hot water radiator and windows to front, side and rear, enabling all who occupy this room.
Large Walk-in Pantry
6' 3" x 4' 3" (1.91m x 1.30m)
This large storage area is well equipped with copious shelving fitted to 3 walls, from 1m height, power points and centre light. It also houses the fridge-freezer.
Utility Laundry & Boot Room
9' 7" x 6' 3" (2.92m x 1.91m)
This laundry & Boot Room provides a double width shelved, full height storage cupboard, inset stainless steel sink and plumbing for an automatic washing machine and tumble drier, this room benefits from a radiator, window and half glazed door opening to the rear terrace underneath the balcony.
Impressive 'T' shaped galleried landing
19' 10" x 19' 6" (6.05m x 5.94m)
This T- shaped gallery landing is well lit by a window to the front and double French doors to the rear, and heated by 3 radiators, this provides a small seating or study/studio area and French doors open out onto the rear sun deck balcony. Two fold down timber Lex 'Mid Maid' stairways provide easy access to the spacious lofts and there is an archway provided for access to the old wing.
Principal Bedroom 1
11' 8" x 11' 5" (3.56m x 3.48m)
This double bedroom, accessed through the wardrobe and dressing area includes windows overlooking the front lawn and driveway. Well lit by side window and fully glazed double French doors and with two over bed wall reading lights and hot water radiator, this provides comfortable seating space for quiet reading or watching TV, and gives direct access to the balcony for private ‘natural' sunbathing, or star gazing. Heating provided by a radiator.
Dressing Room
15' 8" x 6' 3" (4.78m x 1.91m)
Fully mirrored sliding doors to wardrobes, Small corner dressing table with mirror, The dressing area has 2 windows to front of property to provide excellent natural day-lighting for the full height sliding mirror doors to the full range of built in wardrobes, corner display shelving/and dressing table area. Well warmed by a large radiator, recessed spotlights help make for comfortable dressing and convenient direct access to the self-contained en suite.
En-Suite Shower Room
This En-suite shower room is equipped with white 'Heritage' Edwardian style pedestal wash hand basin, low level WC and step in glass sided corner shower unit with power shower, this fully tiled corner room has an extractor fan, radiator. and window to the side wall.
Double Bedroom 2 / Study
12' 10" x 11' 0" (3.91m x 3.35m)
This double Bedroom/ Study overlooks the balcony and benefits from the panoramic views. At.12'10" x 11'0" (3.91m x 3.35m) and fitted with a hot water radiator and telephone points, this room is presently used as a second study.
Double Guest Bedroom 3
15' 10" x 8' 9" (4.83m x 2.67m)
This double bedroom, heated by a hot water radiator,includes windows to side and rear as well as an en-suite bathroom, this superb Guest Room also benefits from both panoramic and forest views
En-Suite Bathroom
This en-suite bathroom has a full white suite of pedestal wash hand basin, low level close coupled WC, panelled bath with shower attachment over, is set in fully tiled walls with heated ladder style towel rail/radiator, there is a mirror with vanity lighting above the washbasin, and beech laminate floor. Windows facing side.
Double Bedroom 4
12' 6" x 10' 9" (3.81m x 3.28m)
This double Bedroom leads directly off the central area of the landing, also benefiting from the panoramic views to the rear. It is 12'8" x 10'9" (3.86m x 3.28m) and has a hot water radiator
Double Bedroom 5
11' 0" x 9' 6" (3.35m x 2.90m)
This double Bedroom has previously served as a nursery. Overlooking the side garden with mature trees and the forest beyond, it has a hot water radiator and could be linked as a second bedroom to the proposed Granny Annex / Chauffeur apartment over the garage..
Large Family Bathroom
10' 8" x 5' 9" (3.25m x 1.75m)
This Large Family Bathroom, heated by a hot water radiator and with a double window overlooking the front entrance, this is positioned opposite bedroom four and adjacent to bedroom five. This spacious, all white tiled room with step up to bath and inset double width step-in shower, has a 'Chatsworth' Edwardian style pedestal wash hand basin and low level WC suit, an inset double width, deep airing cupboard and open fronted towel shelves to the side.
Huge Balcony Sun Deck
31' 0" x 6' 3" (9.45m x 1.91m)
This sundeck balcony is approximately 31'0" x 6'3" (9.44m x 1.90m) and spreads the complete width of the hall and breakfast kitchen. Accessed from the landing and principal bedroom, this exceptional additional outdoor seating, sunbathing and occasional dining area, benefits from anti-slip decking, 3 wall lights, and has elevated views over the Usk valley panorama.
Attic 1
25' 10" x 7' 8" (7.87m x 2.34m)
Attic 1 is fully insulated between ceiling joists, and has a floored area with half height fitted book / file / storage units along both sides, 2 fluorescent lights and a water tank serving the en-suite to the principal bedroom.
Attic 2
31' 3" x 19' 0" (9.53m x 5.79m)
Attic 2 is accessed. This provides a much larger floored surface area. This is fully insulated between ceiling joists and has two fluorescent lights, making it an ideal space for lightweight storage, etc. It also houses the insulated water tanks.
Extra Large Double Garage / Workshop
This double garage has twin up and over doors, 3 fluorescent lights and 2 double power points, providing ample space for two cars / boats / etc, a workshop area to the rear where the water pressure vessel and oil fired boiler are situated to supply natural spring water, central heating and hot water respectively.
Implement Store & Potting Shed
14' 9" x 9' 7" (4.50m x 2.92m)
This detached building has double doors and is well shelved for storage and tools. It also has a high level bench and a rear window for easy working and potting. Linked to a trellis topped wall running out from the side of the main house, it creates a sheltered mini-courtyard area for occasional extra parking, manoeuvring vehicles, bird sanctuary, and other uses.
Summer House & Pool Store
This attractive hexagonal plan, ‘log cabin' style building has half glazed double opening doors with windows on each front side. With 2 double power points and electric lighting, it provides a cosy, sheltered, yet airy occasional room for changing, exercise, relaxing, occasional dining, reading, music and the like. With the pool pump and filtration equipment set immediately to the rear of this, it is also shelved to store pool treatment chemicals and related equipment .
Timber sun deck
This timber sun deck is set in front of the pool house giving access to the sides and rear of the Summer House with shaped timber deck walkways.
Swimming Pool
With stainless steel access ladder running from the sub deck area. This is fully equipped with skimmer, solar cover and winter debris covers tied in to the surrounding decked area.
Brick Paved Terrace
The brick paved pathways alongside and across the front and rear of the house, where it is sheltered by the balcony, lead into a brick paved rear terrace that surrounds the rear of the Conservatory / Sun Room and runs into a flagged terrace to the South side of the property.
Constructed as raised patio platforms on one side and flat lawn on the other, these provide settings for barbecues and outdoor ‘al-fresco' eating. Descending between these is a wide flagged stairway that leads into a stepping stone path.
Wonderfully Extensive Views
Enjoying possibly the finest views in South East Wales, Laburnum is perched high on the ridge overlooking the Usk valley. This affords long, unrestricted views southwards across Newport, the Bristol Channel and North Somerset/Devon Coasts. To the northwest the views span the towns of Usk and Abergavenny to the Sugar Loaf, Brecon Beacons, Black mountains and beyond into central Wales.
The Gardens and Grounds
The gardens and grounds extend to approximately 0.75 acres, but with mature rockery alongside the front entrance and mature hedgerows .The front garden has several cooking and eating apple trees, together with mature holly, cypress, yew and copper beech trees and a variety of other ornamental trees, including a Laburnum, reflecting the name of the house. A number of recently planted fruiting trees, including fig, pear, and grape, interspersed with rose bushes, are espaliered along the side walls to the rear terraces. A gravelled path to the side of the garage gives access to the oil tank t the rear.
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