This phenomenal, imposing Grade II listed family home in Netley Abbey could come straight from the pages of a romantic novel. A spectacular 16th century property built from materials from the 13th century abbey following its dissolution by Henry VIII, this stunning seven-bedroom home could become your happily ever after.
As you approach the property up the sweeping private driveway, it is difficult to supress excitement at what you will discover within. The west facing side of Netley Lodge is every bit the manorial residence, welcoming you via two entrances and ample parking including a triple detached garage.
Step through the front door, through the porch and into the welcoming, flagstone-floored hallway as you begin to explore the ground floor. Immediately on your right, the spacious double aspect Georgian drawing room could be your first stop for a quiet morning coffee or cosy evening by the roaring fire. Parquet flooring and a gorgeous bay window add character and charm to this generous space, while the adjacent south-facing Amdega conservatory/dining room, with wooden floor and underfloor heating, floods the room with light and possibilities. A perfect setting for dinner parties and Sunday lunches with the family.
From the conservatory, you not only feel part of the stunning grounds beyond, but enjoy the French doors leading directly to a large patio area, ideal for al fresco dining, BBQs and relaxing in that sun-drenched, south-facing space.
Back inside and continuing through the hallway, your next stop on the right is the generous yet cosy library with separate WC. Jane Austen herself, who planned visits to the village and would have been familiar with the abbey, would surely approve of this tranquil and inspiring room. Whether losing yourself in a novel or treating your library as a home office, why not throw open the French doors and enjoy the peaceful surroundings at the same time?
Continuing to explore this family home for sale near Southampton, you will find a large family room, with brick fireplace, quarry tiled floor and evocative original beams. This is the perfect place for jigsaw puzzles by the fire and relaxing together in the evening. Adjoined to this room is a spacious study, offering yet another space to create a dream home-office.
The north end of the Lodge is the real heart of the home, with its own main door and entrance hall. Leading from here is the beautiful kitchen with riverbed granite worktop, double Belfast sink, and units hand-built with oak from a tree in the woodlands. The perfect blend of form and function, modern appliances and a traditional Aga create a kitchen worthy of your culinary dreams.
Flowing from the kitchen is the parlour/dining room, the setting for weekday breakfasts and simple family suppers. While the main staircase to the first floor is in the hallway, a convenient second set of stairs is discretely accessed from the parlour.
The north entrance hall also provides separate access to the parlour; pantry; and utility room, previously a Victorian marmalade kitchen and laundry room, all of which are extremely useful for family life. You will also find the hatch leading down to the wine cellar.
Up on the first floor, bedroom 1 is a superb double-aspect master suite, with fireplace, ensuite shower room, and its own sitting area. Lie in bed on a lazy Sunday and soak up the stunning views of your beautiful gardens.
Four further bedrooms on this floor allow family to take their pick. While three bedrooms share a shower room and alternative family bathroom with clawfoot bath, bedroom 2 makes an excellent guest room, with a delightful vintage train cabin style doorway to an ensuite shower room.
A staircase leads up to the top floor, wholly comprising of the former servant’s quarters. Whether you have your own staff or not, this extra room makes a fantastic seventh bedroom or perhaps a hobby room or playroom for the children.
Let us now turn our attention to the vast outside space spanning over six acres. Netley Lodge nestles in the centre of its own land, enjoying peace and seclusion. Lawns, mature shrubs, trees, the ruins of a former game larder or folly, and woodland create quite the estate. A mature treeline provides the northern boundary, adding further seclusion and privacy.
Adding to the irresistible features of this generous family home, is the outdoor, south facing swimming pool with its own pool house. Whether you picture yourself taking an early morning dip or letting the children splash around to their hearts’ content, a family home with swimming pool for sale in Netley Lodge is truly the stuff of daydreams.
Separate, enclosed courtyard gardens outside the kitchen and study host the external boiler room and three outhouses, one with a useful shower room.
Beyond your borders, the property backs onto historic Royal Victoria Country Park which was once a military hospital. Beyond this is Southampton Water and fresh sea air.
In 1800 there were just two buildings alongside the ruined abbey in Netley: Netley Castle and Netley Lodge itself. Now, the village of Netley Abbey is a thriving community with delightful shops, a sailing club, numerous parks, a pub, small coffee shops and restaurants.
There are good schools from pre-school up to secondary and Southampton is just a stone’s throw away with its two excellent universities, shops and theatres.
Netley Lodge has a rural feel while being close to all the amenities you could wish for. The train station is fewer than five minutes away by car and links you directly to Southampton Central in 20mins. While it may be hard to tear yourself away from Netley Lodge, London is just over two hours away, making it commutable for work or leisure.
With its superb location in Netley Abbey, stunning gardens and story-book aesthetics, this unique, grand family house will certainly become a dream home for the right buyer. Please get in touch with the Charters team at Park Gate to arrange a viewing, call 01489 358888.
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