Manningford Abbots, Pewsey, SN9 5PB

Fine & Country are delighted to present Southgate, an exceptional country home set within approximately five acres of beautifully established gardens and grounds, combining generous family accommodation with a separate cottage and annexe, in the heart of the Pewsey Vale.

Southgate is a wonderfully individual country home where space, craftsmanship and a glorious mature setting come together to create somewhere very special indeed.

Seller Insight: What is your favourite room in the house and why? Hands down the dining room. It is the most stunning room, with a different view of nature from every direction.

We have a pair of binoculars hanging by the door because if you’re sitting in here having breakfast or coffee, you will almost always see some kind of wildlife – rabbits, muntjac deer, birds of prey, you name it.

It is also the most special room for gatherings with friends, family and at Christmas. Who do you think would be the next ideal owner?

It’s a hard question to answer because the house could suit so many different people.

For us, it has been a wonderful family home, with big rooms that make entertaining easy and plenty of space for the constant stream of friends and family who want to come to stay!

The children are usually outside playing football, building dens or exploring the garden so anyone with children would get a lot out of the space.

Equally, it is an incredibly comfortable home so would suit anyone looking for a low maintenance home with plenty of space for guests.

The additional buildings also give so much flexibility, whether for guests, perhaps an au pair, older relatives or for anyone who wants to make some income by offering holiday lets.

What do you love most about the house and why? There are so many things I could mention, but it is genuinely the most wonderful and comfortable house we have ever lived in.

Every room is incredibly light and every window looks out onto greenery.

You feel surrounded by the grounds and countryside, but at the same time the house is modern, warm and incredibly easy to live in. It’s a rare combination and one we really valued.

What do you love about the local community? It’s a lovely area - everyone is really friendly and there are lots of people moving to the area as well.

Pewsey is 5 mins away and though it is small it has everything you need – a supermarket, bakery, chemist, ironmongers, art gallery and several cafés – and it has a really strong community feel.

We are also close to Marlborough for a wider choice of shops and restaurants. There are lots of beautiful walks around too. It’s a wonderful part of Wiltshire to live in.

How easy is it to commute from here? Commuting to London is incredibly easy. Pewsey station is around a five-minute drive away, with direct trains to London Paddington in just over an hour.

When we were looking for a house, we wanted to be close to Marlborough but access to London was also really important, so for us the location has been perfect.

What made you choose the property over others that were available at the time? It was a combination of things.

Having previously lived in an old period property, we wanted something more modern this time, but we didn’t want a house that looked overtly modern.

We have LOVED how comfortable and easy it is to live in this house. The additional buildings were also a huge attraction because of the flexibility and possibilities they offered.

And finally, the grounds. The mature trees, space, wildlife and feeling of being surrounded by nature are just stunning and were a huge part of why we chose the house.

Summary From the ancient oaks standing sentinel in the garden to the exposed timbers within - an exceptional country home set within approximately five acres of beautifully established gardens and grounds, combining generous family accommodation with a separate cottage and annexe, in the heart of the Pewsey Vale.

Southgate is a wonderfully individual country home where space, craftsmanship and a glorious mature setting come together to create somewhere very special indeed.

Set discreetly within approximately five acres on the edge of the sought-after village of Manningford Abbots, the property offers an impressive degree of privacy, yet remains exceptionally well placed for Pewsey, Marlborough, excellent schools and fast rail connections to London.

The main house provides around 4,198 sq ft of beautifully proportioned accommodation arranged over three floors, complemented by a substantial detached three-bedroom cottage, a self-contained annexe and useful garaging and outbuildings.

Together, they create an unusually versatile property, equally suited to busy family life, entertaining, multigenerational living or those looking to combine home and work.

The House There is a wonderful sense of arrival at Southgate.

The generous reception hall immediately introduces the character and quality found throughout the house, with oak flooring, a wood-burning stove and an impressive galleried landing above.

Oak is a recurring theme throughout the property.

Beautiful exposed oak beams bring warmth, texture and character to the interiors, creating a lovely visual connection with the magnificent ancient oak trees standing within the grounds outside.

It is this relationship between house and garden that gives Southgate much of its distinctive atmosphere: substantial and impressive, yet warm and deeply connected to its rural surroundings.

The principal reception rooms are wonderfully generous.

The sitting room extends to almost 29 feet, providing an elegant yet comfortable space for family gatherings and entertaining, while the separate dining room offers similarly impressive proportions.

Large windows draw in natural light and allow the gardens to remain an ever-present backdrop.

At the heart of the house is the kitchen and family room: a relaxed and sociable space designed for everyday living as much as entertaining.

Quality is evident in the detailing, with bespoke cabinetry by renowned furniture maker Mark Wilkinson, including a beautifully crafted dresser, alongside premium appliances by Miele, Wolf, Sub-Zero and Gaggenau.

This is a kitchen intended to be lived in – somewhere for morning coffee overlooking the garden, informal suppers and long evenings with friends and family. Practicality has not been overlooked.

A utility room supports the main kitchen, while an additional ground-floor bedroom or study and shower room provide valuable flexibility for guests, home working or family members requiring ground-floor accommodation.

Upstairs The first and second floors continue the sense of space and individuality.

The principal bedroom is particularly striking, with its vaulted ceiling, bespoke Mark Wilkinson fitted wardrobes and galleried dressing area creating a characterful and luxurious private suite.

Further bedrooms are generously proportioned and served by well-appointed bath and shower rooms, while the upper floor provides additional bedroom and study accommodation.

The arrangement offers considerable flexibility, whether for a large family, regular guests or dedicated working and hobby spaces.

The Cottage Set separately from the main house, the detached cottage extends to approximately 1,653 sq ft and is a significant asset in its own right.

With its own sitting room, kitchen/dining room, family room, bedrooms and bathroom facilities, it offers excellent independent accommodation for extended family, guests or staff.

Planning permission has also been secured for its use as a holiday let, introducing the possibility of an income stream for future owners.

Its separation from the principal house allows both properties to retain their own sense of privacy, making it particularly appealing for multigenerational living.

The Annexe A further self-contained studio annexe adds another layer of versatility.

With its own kitchen and shower room, this could work equally well as guest accommodation, a home office, creative studio or private space for an au pair or older child.

Together, the house, cottage and annexe offer a degree of flexibility rarely found in a single property. Gardens & Grounds The gardens are an integral part of life at Southgate.

Extending to approximately five acres in all, the grounds have a wonderfully established feel, with sweeping lawns, mature hedging, shrubs and trees creating a series of private and beautifully sheltered spaces around the house.

Particularly special are the magnificent ancient oak trees, whose scale and presence give the grounds a timeless quality.

Their relationship with the oak beams and craftsmanship within the house feels wonderfully appropriate, with the character of the landscape subtly echoed throughout the interiors.

A broad terrace stretches along the rear of the house, providing an ideal setting for outdoor dining and entertaining while looking across the gardens and towards the countryside beyond.

While a garage, carport, garden store and summerhouse provide excellent practical storage and further possibilities. Despite the scale of the grounds, there is a sense of intimacy here.

Mature planting and established boundaries create natural divisions within the garden, offering areas for entertaining, play, quiet retreat and simply enjoying the changing seasons.

Location Southgate occupies an enviable position on the edge of Manningford Abbots, surrounded by the beautiful landscape of the Pewsey Vale.

This is an area celebrated for its countryside and quality of life, with exceptional walking, riding and cycling virtually on the doorstep, yet everyday amenities and excellent transport connections remain within easy reach.

Pewsey is approximately two miles away and offers a useful range of local facilities together with a mainline station providing direct services to London Paddington.

The thriving market town of Marlborough, approximately seven miles away, offers an excellent selection of independent shops, cafés, restaurants and leisure facilities.

Families are particularly well served for education, with respected schools including St Francis, Dauntsey’s and Marlborough College all accessible from the property.

For those seeking a substantial country home without feeling isolated, Southgate offers an extremely attractive balance: space and privacy, beautiful countryside and exceptional flexibility, all within reach of schools, market towns and London.

Services: Mains electricity and water. Klargester Bio Disc system (house), separate septic tanks (cottage and annexe). Air source heating (house) with underfloor heating to the ground floor.

Electric underfloor heating to all bath/shower rooms. Oil heating (cottage). Electric heating (annexe). What3Words: ///woes.shameless.fitter