Burntwood Cottages, 1, Basingstoke Road, Winchester, SO21 1AE

On paper, Burntwood Cottage is a three-bed semi detached. But that doesn't really tell you the full picture.

It's a traditional flint and brick cottage hidden behind a thick mature hedge with a private gated entrance and off-street parking for several cars.

And at the back there’s a gate at the bottom of the garden leading to the footpath across the fields to Itchen Abbas.

And inside, a vaulted oak-framed family room and a brand new shaker kitchen make this feel far more like a country home than a suburban semi. The kitchen is the heart of the home.

It's been recently updated with shaker-style fitted units, a large island, integrated appliances including a wine fridge, and elegant quartz worktops.

Oak beams run across the ceiling above it, and even though it’s new the room feels warm and welcoming rather than showroom-sharp.

From the kitchen, you move into what the current owners use as the main family room. The vaulted oak-framed ceiling draws the eye upward while the log-burning stove anchors everything at ground level.

Multiple windows frame the garden and the open fields beyond, and the whole room is flooded with light.

Or you can head into the separate dining room - currently painted a deep navy blue that works beautifully with the oak floors.

There’s another reception room at the far end of the house that, being a little bit removed from the social goings-on, works equally well as a snug, a home office or, if you need it, a fourth bedroom.

A handy shower room completes the ground floor. There are three bedrooms spread across the first and second floors.

The bigger of the two bedrooms on the first floor has built-in wardrobes and the feel of a proper retreat, and the top-floor bedroom sits under the eaves with a walk-in wardrobe and elevated views across the fields.

The stylish family bathroom on the first floor has a bath with a large overhead shower and full tiling throughout.

Outside, there’s a large lawn and a patio with several seating spots, all looking out over the open fields which stretch out towards Itchen Abbas and Alresford.

If you like to explore the countryside rather than just sit back and take in the views, the gate at the bottom of the garden will be your gateway to a choice of incredible walks.

The wooden outbuilding is a substantial and versatile space - at around 242 sq ft it's currently used as a workshop but could easily be transformed into a home office, gym or games room.

You could even explore the potential of converting it into a granny flat annexe or even a self contained Airbnb let, subject to planning permission.

This semi-rural semi-detached is just under four miles from Winchester - taking less than 10 minutes in the car.

With trains from Winchester to London Waterloo taking less than an hour and only 15 minutes to Southampton, it does make commuting a realistic option too.

Kings Worthy is even closer, with a post office, farm shop, convenience store and a pub. The M3 is close too, making Southampton and beyond a straightforward car journey.

For families, the area is well-regarded for schooling - Kings Worthy Primary is well thought of locally and Henry Beaufort secondary school in nearby Headbourne Worthy is consistently rated “Good”by Ofsted.

If you've been searching for a home space, style and real countryside credentials Burntwood Cottage delivers so much more than a typical three bedroom semi.

I’m expecting plenty of interest, so get in touch to arrange a viewing.