Valley Road, Bournheath, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61

Nestled within the desirable rural hamlet of Bournheath is Housmans Barn, a stunning and substantial four double bedroom barn conversion, thoughtfully extended over the years to provide a unique and generous family residence. Brimming with period charm and character, this remarkable home sits on a private and established plot of approximately 1.15 acres and enjoys a rich local history, with neighbouring ties to the renowned poet and scholar A. E. Housman, who was born in the adjoining former Valley House.

To the front of the property is a tarmac driveway leading to an integral garage and providing ample off-road parking. The property enjoys a discreet position with a mature tree offering privacy and screening from the lane.

Internally, the home is entered via an enclosed porch, giving access to a guest WC and leading into the heart of the home. The lounge is a truly impressive space, boasting a substantial vaulted ceiling with skylights, exposed beams, a striking minstrel’s gallery, and a cosy wood-burning stove. From here, there is access to a formal dining room and the integral garage. The charming country-style kitchen/diner features a Everhot electric range cooker, extensive work surfaces, and flows through to a dedicated utility space. Beyond, the layout continues to a spacious study or additional reception room, which steps up into a magnificent second sitting room, a later addition created from the former cowshed, featuring vaulted ceilings and original exposed timbers. To the rear of the ground floor, a generous bedroom benefits from an en-suite shower room and views over the rear garden.

Two separate staircases provide access to the first floor, which hosts the stunning minstrel’s gallery overlooking the main lounge, three further well-proportioned double bedrooms, and a large four-piece family bathroom suite with both bathtub and separate shower enclosure.

Externally, the grounds of Housmans Barn are a standout feature in their own right. Immediately outside the kitchen is a characterful reclaimed blue brick patio area, ideal for entertaining. Beyond lies a series of tiered lawns, a garden store, and a large fully powered workshop which has been built to the same building standards as the second sitting room and ground floor bedroom offering potential for conversion into further accommodation. The garden has been thoughtfully developed over the years, with formal lawn areas giving way to a more naturalistic landscape to the rear, complete with private woodland walks, an orchard of dwarf fruit trees, and areas rewilded to encourage biodiversity. A unique wood-fired hot tub adds a luxury touch, perfectly positioned to enjoy views across this beautiful, secluded plot.

The desirable village of Bournheath offers semi-rural living with nearby pubs and a first school, while remaining conveniently close to major road links such as the M5 and M42—ideal for commuting into Birmingham city centre and the wider West Midlands. Its location strikes a perfect balance: rural and peaceful, on the edge of a small village with three welcoming pubs, yet just a 20-minute drive to Selly Oak Hospital and other key destinations. Bromsgrove Town, located just 2.5 miles away, provides additional amenities including supermarkets, restaurants, and leisure facilities.

Sellers' Comments
"The poet and scholar, A E Housman was born in ‘the big house’ next door, then called Valley House. They didn’t stay long and soon his family moved into Bromsgrove when he was very young. The barn was used for storing crops and housing livestock, and it wasn’t until 1980 that plans were drawn up to convert it into a dwelling place. Local architect Dudleys were engaged and drew up plans for a conversion to a three bedroom house, featuring the large sitting room incorporating a Minstrel’s gallery and supported by beams with a 27 foot high ceiling. The plans excluded development of the large cowshed and outhouses behind.

In 1992, with an expanding family, we were attracted to Housman’s Barn because of three main features:
• Its location, rural (on the edge of a small village with its three pubs), but with easy access in 20 minutes by car to Selly Oak Hospital, where my job was based.
• Potential to develop the property by restoring the outhouses.
• A one acre plot offering safe outdoor space for 2 young children and our first dog.

In 2105, the kitchen was renovated with the installation of an Everhot Range Cooker which has served us well for 10 years. In 2019 we moved the oil tank to the front garden (hidden by trees) and undertook renovation of the garage, substantial electrical rewiring to modern standards and built a new tarmac driveway.

Attached to the back of the house was a 50 foot long derelict cowshed with an L shaped extension offering open storage space. During the late 1990s, we decided to rebuild the outhouse to modern building standards, including insulation all round, while retaining most of the original exposed beams, and thus created a large sitting room, a 4th bedroom with en suite and a fully tanked-in workshop (which could be converted into a further room, but for me was an ideal ‘mancave’ for my interest in woodturning). Sandstone blocks and numerous blue bricks recovered from the cowshed were used to build the terraced lower garden and the kitchen patio.

The outside acre also has its history. In our early years the rear part was a 5-a-side football pitch. In recent years, following the ‘green’ agenda and for easier maintenance, we allowed the rear part of this large garden to go wild (with some woodland paths), while the nearer section was kept well mowed and a number of trees were planted (birch, rowan, maple, whitebeam). We also established a small orchard which has miniature apple, pear and cherry trees. Allowing the wild area to develop itself, we ended up with several self-seeding oak trees and a rampant crop of wild raspberries – a feast or famine crop each year depending on the weather. The area is fenced in providing a safe play area for our latest dog, a lively cockapoo, and any stray grand children who appear.

So, with only 2 of us living here, it’s time to offer the house which we’ve enjoyed for over 30 years to someone else as an ideal family home."

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No statement in these details is to be relied upon as representation of fact, and purchasers should satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the accuracy of the statements contained within. These details do not constitute any part of any offer or contract. AP Morgan and their employees and agents do not have any authority to give any warranty or representation whatsoever in respect of this property. These details and all statements herein are provided without any responsibility on the part of AP Morgan or the vendors. Equipment: AP Morgan has not tested the equipment or central heating system mentioned in these particulars and the purchasers are advised to satisfy themselves as to the working order and condition. Measurements: Great care is taken when measuring, but measurements should not be relied upon for ordering carpets, equipment, etc. The Laws of Copyright protect this material. AP Morgan is the Owner of the copyright. This property sheet forms part of our database and is protected by the database right and copyright laws. No unauthorised copying or distribution without permission..

Porch

1.42 x 1.66

Guest W/C

2.05 x 0.82

Lounge

5.20 x 6.52 - Min excl stairs

Dining Room

3.36 x 3.50

Kitchen/Diner

4.16 x 4.18

Utility Room

1.80 x 4.18

Study

2.49 x 4.18

Sitting Room

7.16 x 3.87 - Both max

Bedroom Four

4.80 x 3.91 - Both max

En-suite

2.64 x 1.58

Garage

5.30 x 3.47

Workshop

3.76 x 3.91

Garden Store

3.16 x 5.72

Master Bedroom

4.60 x 4.38

Bedroom Two

5.08 x 3.45 - Max incl wardrobes

Bedroom Three

3.37 x 3.82

Family Bathroom

4.15 x 3.52