The House
Upon entering Paxton House, visitors are greeted by the delightful reception hall, which features a period staircase, stripped pine floorboards and a decorative archway having pilasters surmounted by frieze, formerly at Gatcombe Park.
The centrepiece of the large drawing room is a beautiful fireplace with ornate wood surround, marble inset and hearth. An arch with decorative pilaster divides the room and leads to French doors onto a delightful rear terrace.
The study is a classically proportioned room featuring an open fire place with Georgian-style timber surround, marble slips and hearth. It has original sash windows with wooden shutters and wainscot. The room benefits from many period details, including a door with fine carved wood surround.
The Dining Room at Paxton House overlooks the rear of the property, and is the ideal size for large family meals. Also off the hall is the downstairs cloakroom, with wash basin and separate WC.
The property's kitchen features a traditional double oven gas fired Aga, as well as the standard modern appliances. A door from the kitchen leads to the rear porch and utility area, with Belfast sink, washing machine and side door to the rear garden.
Upstairs, the impressive Master Bedroom overlooks the front of the house, and features a fireplace with Georgian wooden surround. A built-in cupboard opens to reveal a wash basin and dressing table.
There is also a Dressing Room which has a range of fitted wardrobes and shelving, and can be used as an occasional bedroom.
The second bedroom measures a spacious 14 by 13 feet, and has built-in wardrobes, one concealing a wash basin with strip light over and shaver point. The third and fourth bedrooms also have built-in wardrobes.
Also upstairs are the two bathrooms, which feature wash basins, baths, heated towel rails, shaver point and leaded light windows.
The Gardens
To the rear of the property is a delightful paved terrace with wall surround providing a sheltered area for sitting. A small spring flows from a stone fishhead. From the terrace, stone steps lead through an archway to a rose walk with lawn to either side. The garden is surrounded by high walls providing shelter and privacy and is stocked with an abundance of herbaceous plants, roses, flowers and climbers. The lawn is overlooked by a cedar shingle summer house.
From the terrace, steps rise to a gravelled pathway which leads to a raised 'secret garden' to the side of the house. The garden is lawned, enclosed by part wall, sheltering a number of specimen ornamental trees and shrubs including Cherry, Sorbus Vilmorinii, Gingko and Arbutus.
Small lawned garden with shrubs and borders to the front of the house. The gardens have been opened to the public annually under the National Gardens Scheme, for over 10 years.