Set in around half an acre of private gardens and woodland, this beautifully renovated and extended five-bedroom house occupies a quiet, rural position in the quintessential Gloucestershire village of Bussage, near Stroud. The original stone cottage was built in the 1800s, with a modern extension of glass, aluminium and Siberian larch cladding added in 2014, breathing new life into the 19th-century foundations and taking the internal living space to around 2,240 sqft across its three storeys. Stroud lies around five miles to the east, with Nailsworth and Cirencester also easily reached by car or by bicycle.

The Tour

Approached by a country lane, the house sits low in its site, giving a sense of privacy and seclusion. A private driveway and level clearing create off-street parking for several vehicles. External steps lead down to the primary entrance set to one side of the lower terrace, leading through to the hallway, cloakroom and interconnected WC.

The kitchen and dining room are arranged in a sociable, open-plan layout, with glass doors opening onto the decked terrace and gardens. The interior has been sensitively divided with a bespoke kitchen and Aga set to one side, with hand-crafted cabinetry and free-standing workstations neatly housing appliances. A utility room is conveniently interconnected.

The dining area is loosely organised on the opposite side of the room, facing the gardens. Stone walls are whitewashed, and pendant light fittings hang overhead, creating soft illumination.

Arguably the most impressive part of the house is the adjoining living space, where a wall of glazed doors optimises the south-facing light and bucolic views, opening the entire space in a seamless transition between the interior and exterior spaces. A workspace is tucked to one side of the room, where strategically placed glass panels borrow light from above.

The older parts of the cottage have been lovingly retained and sensitively updated. The adjoining snug has a warm, homely feel. Softly lit, it has wooden floorboards and a log-burning stove creating a natural draw in winter months.

Ascending the central staircase, four bedrooms unfold across the first floor, each directed towards the south-westerly light, which streams in throughout the day. Sliding glass doors in the main bedroom frame the bucolic wooded backdrop, and an en suite bathroom, with a bath, shower, and dressing room, are interconnected.

A family bathroom and three further bedrooms, one currently used as a homework space, are also positioned on this level. A second staircase leads up to the fifth en suite bedroom. Set in the converted loft space, the room is quiet and peaceful, with exposed beams and stonework nodding to the original architecture.

Outdoor Space

The beautifully landscaped gardens are extensive and offer a varied mix of colourful perennial and herbaceous borders with stretches of lawn and mature shrubs. Specimen trees provide interest and a dappled shade. The decked terraces and level areas are brilliant spots for lunches and barbeques. There is plenty of scope for sustainable gardening in the glasshouse and raised beds, which are chock full of vegetables and flowers in summer. Steps lead down to a clearing at the foot of the garden, which blends with the ancient woodland, a haven for local wildlife.

The Area

Bussage is a charming village awash with Cotswold Stone cottages. The popular village pub, The Ram Inn, a former cider room pre-dating 1812, serves homecooked food and is less than five minutes’ walk from the house.

For daily amenities, Nailsworth is around ten minutes by car, and Stroud is reachable in about 15 minutes by car or 30 minutes by bike. Stroud stands at the meeting point of the Five Valleys and is surrounded by the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in all directions. The town has long attracted artists, designers and makers and is characterised by a creative spirit, reflected in the numerous independently run businesses which shape the town centre. Among the many cafes and eateries, Woodruffs and The Woolpack rank highly amongst residents. There is also a national award-winning farmers’ market which takes place weekly on Saturdays.

Cheltenham is a 30-minute drive away, a regency town renowned for its festivals of literature, jazz, film, folk music, comedy and science, as well as a busy racing calendar, including the Gold Cup. Bristol and Bath are both around an hour’s drive away.

Transport links from Stroud are very good, with direct links to London Paddington in around an hour and a half.

Council Tax Band: E

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.