What our customers say Most RecentHighest priceLowest price{{ 'PropertySearch' | translate }} 0 Sq.Feet (0 Sq.Metres) South Cerney 5 miles Cirencester 10 miles Swindon 10 miles (London Paddington in 55 minutes) Kemble 12 miles (London Paddington in 85 minutes) Chippenham 20 miles Marlborough 20 miles Oxford 35 miles Bath 37 miles (all mileages and times are approximate) View property on map » HISTORYAlkerton House is steeped in history and has been traced back to the 1600's. The house has been owned by MPs, Doctors and prominent local figures. The house was owned by the Pleydell family for over 170 years, including Edward Pleydell MP, who is buried in the local Church. His son inherited the house but somehow lost the substantial family fortune and was blocked from inheriting £1000 and the title of the Baronet by his relative Sir Mark Stuart Pleydell. Edward owned the house until his death in 1766, after which the house became part of a lengthy legal dispute between Edward's creditors and heirs.
The house subsequently fell into the hands of Paul Benfield, known as Count Rupee' due to his controversial fortune made as a Banker to Indian rulers. He also became a Cricklade MP and was heavily involved in the Cricklade Chase' that heard allegations of bribery and corruption in the Cricklade elections. The Taylor family, bought Alkerton House for £650 in 1834. At the head of the household was Doctor Thomas Taylor. The current owners have managed to uncover an intriguing photo of Doctor Taylor's daughters, all of whom never married, playing Trucco (a variant of croquet) on the lawn in the back garden of the house. The photo also shows the son of Doctor Taylor, Thomas Theodore Taylor. This is though to be the last image of Thomas, as he died shortly after this in 1877. One of the house's most famous owners was Joseph Pitt (1759 1842). Mr Pitt was a lawyer of humble origins but prospered as a property speculator. He served as Tory MP for Cricklade, 1812-1831. His name is commemorated in Pitville, Cheltenham his largest speculative development.
It is believed that he was also responsible for creating the Georgian facade at the front of the house. This facade conceals a much older house of Tudor origins complete with cellar that is believed to date back to medieval times. DESCRIPTIONAlkerton House dates back to the 1600's, is Grade II Listed and sits under a Welsh slate roof. The property has been restored back to its original state with a modern twist and still has the original servant's bells and original shutters on many windows, as well as many other period features. Approaching through a stone pillared porch, to a substantial entrance hall with a mahogany hand-railed staircase, which leads up to the first floor. Off the main entrance hall are the reception rooms and a doorway leading down to the cellar. The living room is at the front of the house and contains an original marble fireplace, a period cast iron open fire, solid oak flooring and the original brass bell pulls.The elegant dining room has a bay window which overlooks the garden and also has a feature fireplace with carved Cotswold Stone surround and a raised hearth.
The ceiling is oak beamed, with two original hearts carved into the main beam. A winding period oak staircase leads to the first floor from here. The kitchen is fitted with a range of cupboards and drawers, topped with granite worktops and comprises an integral dishwasher, full length fridge, full length freezer, one and a half sink with drainer, integral convection microwave cooker, space for a Range Cooker, extractor hood, large central island with single sink and vegetable drawers. An adjoining pantry offers additional storage and shelving. Much of the original kitchen flagstone flooring remains, together with the servant bells. The utility room can be found next to the kitchen and offers doorways to the front and rear of the property, there is plumbing and space for white goods and a Belfast Sink. The first floor of the house comprises five bedrooms and a study. The master bedroom is at the rear of the property and has mainly original solid oak flooring and door, a period built in wardrobe and views over the garden.
It also has a walk in dressing room and an en suite with a roll top bath with shower over, WC, double shower unit and wash hand basin. Bedroom two is situated at the front of the property, with solid Elm flooring and an en suite comprising bath, double walk in shower, WC and wash hand basin. Bedrooms three, four and five are also double rooms and all offer en suites comprising shower unit, WC, and wash hand basin. Bedroom four also has views onto the back garden and an original feature fireplace. A large linen/storage cupboard can also be found on this floor, together with two separate staircases leading to the attic rooms. Externally the south-east facing garden is approached from the house via a private courtyard with potting shed and outbuildings. The garden has been professionally landscaped and maintained. It features a paved terrace, which is adjacent to the extensive level lawn ideal for alfresco dining. To the right of the garden there is a vegetable patch and fruit garden and a lean-to Greenhouse.
A side door and a large double gate provide access to the driveway. To the side of the house is a gravelled driveway area that provides off road parking for a number of vehicles and substantial detached Stables and Coach House, built in 1862. To the ground floor is a large workshop, four separate stores and a car port. Stairs from the car port lead to the second floor, currently used for storage.View payable Stamp Duty for this property The Saxon town of Cricklade is situated on the northern edge of Wiltshire with the Thames Path National Trail passing through the town. Surrounding countryside makes it an ideal location for walking, cycling and horse riding whilst its bustling High Street offers a wide selection of amenities including a post office, dentist, doctors' surgeries, chemist, three churches, four public houses and Cricklade House Hotel & Country Club is nearby. A comprehensive range of shops and services can be found in nearby Cirencester, Swindon or Marlborough, all of which have large supermarkets including Waitrose.Well regarded local state primary and secondary schools are readily available and private sector schools include Marlborough College, Cheltenham College, Beaudesert Park, Hatherop Castle, Pinewood, Prior Park (Prep and Pre-Prep in Cricklade), St Mary's Calne and Westonbirt.Sporting and leisure activities in the area include racing at Cheltenham and Newbury
, polo at Cirencester Park, hunting with the VWH and eventing at Gatcombe. The nearby Cotswold Water Park has outstanding sporting facilities for all ages including water skiing, cable wakeboarding, sailing, clay pigeon shooting, wildlife walks and angling. Cricklade also has a Leisure Centre with gym and swimming pool. The town is well placed for easy access to the A419/A417 providing access to Swindon and the M4 to the south and Gloucester and the M5 to the north, whilst Swindon and Kemble train stations offer direct and regular services to London Paddington in 55 and 85 minutes respectively.From Cirencester head south on the A419 towards Swindon. Continue along the dual carriageway for approximately 7 miles and then take the exit signed to Cricklade. Go straight over the mini roundabout and on to Calcutt Street. At the next mini roundabout turn left on to the High Street, continue up the High Street and Alkerton House can be found on your left just after Lloyds Bank and the Town Council office marked with a Savills For Sale board.