Cold Ashton, South Gloucestershire, SN14

A distinguished Cotswold Rectory, enjoying extraordinary panoramic southerly views over the valley and open countryside beyond.

ABOUT THIS HOUSE
There’s a quiet gravitas to The Old Rectory in Cold Ashton - an ease that comes from centuries of standing its ground. Dating from around 1510 and later reshaped in the 19th century, this Grade II listed former Rectory is a house that has grown into itself, its mellow stone, mullioned windows and gabled roofline telling a story of gradual evolution rather than design.

The approach, through a characterful porch with carved detailing, sets the tone. Inside, the sense is of generous, time-worn spaces where light falls softly through leaded glass, and where the proportions feel both practical and enduring.

Today, the house offers as much opportunity as it does heritage. It would benefit from thoughtful modernisation, presenting a compelling chance to restore and refine, bringing contemporary comfort into balance with its historic fabric. Alongside, The Coach House provides exciting potential, whether as guest accommodation, workspace or a more independent retreat.

The gardens are a defining feature. A beautifully enclosed walled garden offers structure and seclusion, while the wider grounds, mature and well-established, open out to far-reaching views across the St Catherine’s Valley, an outlook that lends the house a real sense of place.

Rich in history, Sir Bevil Grenville is said to have died here after the Battle of Lansdown. The house sits comfortably within its past while inviting its next chapter. This is not a country house shaped by perfection, but by time—layered, atmospheric, and full of possibility.

ABOUT THIS AREA
The Old Rectory is situated in the very heart of Cold Ashton, which is a hugely desirable village located just to the north of the city of Bath in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The village, which is renowned for its charm and picturesque setting, is surrounded by beautiful undulating countryside with the Cotswold Way running through the village. The property is not far away from Dyrham Park, an impressive National Trust country house set in 274 acres, which was built in the late 17th century.

Few cities in England balance grandeur and intimacy quite like Bath. Set within a gentle valley of honey-coloured stone, its elegant Georgian terraces sweep across the landscape with quiet confidence, shaped by visionaries such as John Wood the Elder and John Wood the Younger.

At its heart lies a city defined by water and wellbeing, where the ancient Roman Baths still steam beneath the open sky, a reminder of its long-standing role as a place of retreat. Today, Bath feels both vibrant and composed—boutiques, independent cafés, and cultural landmarks woven seamlessly into its historic fabric.

The area is renowned for its excellent selection of private and state schools, all being within easy driving distance. Local private schools include Stonar, Haywood Prep, Kingswood, Monkton Combe, Downside, Prior Park, Royal High School Bath, St. Marys Calne, Westonbirt, Marlborough College, Dauntsey’s, and Cheltenham schools. Additionally, there are a number of local state schools including Sheldon, Hardenhuish and Malmesbury.

Road communications are excellent with the A46 providing good access to the M4, Bristol and London and the M5 is within easy reach. Bath Spa Station provides regular rail services to London Waterloo and London Paddington.

TOWNS AND STATIONS
Marshfield 2.5 miles
Bath 8.6 miles
Tetbury 19.4 miles
Bristol 11.9 miles
Central London 110 miles

TRAIN STATIONS
Bath Station 8.5 miles
(London Paddington from 75 mins)
Chippenham 11.6 miles
(London Paddington from 60 mins)

AIRPORTS
Bristol Airport 19.9 miles
Birmingham Airport 101 miles
London Heathrow 97.2 miles