Idyllic country cottage in Southwick

Crunch down the gravelled drive past extensive verdant lawns and a profusion of gnarled fruit trees to be greeted by this postcard perfect detached cottage reputed to be the oldest house in the village. Dating from the early 1780′s, Marlborough House has all the attributes you would expect from a rural Wiltshire home with exposed beams and a substantial inglenook fireplace in the dining room. Set at right angles to the road, the cottage enjoys a 0.2 acre plot of meticulously kept gardens as well as three double bedrooms, two large receptions, a proper farmhouse kitchen and much more besides. Other benefits of note include two bathrooms, utility room and downstairs W.C, a detached office, large timber workshop and plenty of driveway parking for the family. A truly beautiful home – worthy of an internal inspection (but do mind your head on the beams if you’re especially tall!).

For a comprehensive tour including 18 internal and external photographs, examine our interactive floorplan at http://content.metropix.com/p/3104385

Proceed out of Bath on the A36 Warminster Road past Limpley Stoke and Woolverton. At the Beckington roundabout, turn left onto the Frome Road and continue through the edge of Rode into Southwick. Cross the mini roundabout and go past the Farmhouse pub (on your left). Marlborough House will be found on your right, just after the turning into Fleur de Lys Drive.

Historical Notes

In the Saxon period the estate was included within Steeple Ashton, being held by Romsey Abbey. Until the mid 14th century this area was treated as part of Edington but from that time it was part of the ancient parish of North Bradley. The landscape was more wooded than today, being part of the forest of Selwood until 1300. There was settlement here in the early Middle Ages with a village around and to the north-east of the junction of the Bradley road with the Trowbridge-Frome road, and a moated house at Southwick Court, further to the north-east. The route through Southwick, from Tellisford Bridge, on the river Frome, to North Bradley, was on the packhorse road between Bristol and Salisbury, which was used from medieval times for carrying goods on horses or donkeys. Handloom weaving at home had grown in importance from the 15th century and weavers’ cottages were built on common land. By the 16th century weaving was as important to the economy of the parish as farming.

Perhaps the most influential event was the rise of the Baptists in Southwick from the mid 17th century onwards. After the Restoration (1660) they met in Witch Pit Wood, under the protection of Cutteridge landowner, William Trenchard, who was both a justice of the peace and a member of parliament. Later, protection was also provided by Anthony Bissie when a meeting house was built at Pig Hill Barn. Gatherings of up to 2,000 people from Southwick and neighbouring towns and villages attended these meetings and the impact on the village must have been considerable. A chapel was eventually built in 1707 and the Southwick Baptists gave rise to many chapels in other local communities.

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