10 of the Best Cathedral City Homes

CT&H has singled out the 10 best properties on the market in cathedral cities. Including elegant family homes in Chichester, Oxford, and Canterbury…

1. Stockbridge House, Chichester

A period home dating back to 1699, Stockbridge House is steeped with history, as demonstrated by its numerous original features. It has been recently renovated in exquisite taste to include an airy, vaulted kitchen-dining room with bespoke black granite surfaces and Italian tiling. There are five double bedrooms overlooking the gardens and decked areas, perfect for outdoor dining and entertaining. Available through Strutt & Parker for £1.195m.

2. St Vincent’s Priory, Clifton, Bristol

St Vincent’s Priory impresses from the outset; a regency townhouse with gothic revival influences and four bedrooms, the historic façade boasts ornate pilasters and a gothic script inscription, while the interior maintains its Grecian friezes and fireplaces. Of particular note are the iconic views over Bristol’s most famous landmark, Brunel’s Suspension Bridge. Available through Savills for £1.5m.

3. Norham Gardens, Oxford

This fine Grade II listed Victorian house was built in 1866 for an important local bookseller, and appropriately features stained glass windows incorporating scenes and characters from the works of Shakespeare. The extensive accommodation of seven bedrooms over four floors makes it an impressive family home, and the lower ground floor could be a self-contained flat of its own. There is a magnificent Copper Beech in the large garden, as well as a conservatory in which to relax. Available through Knight Frank for £5.5m.

4. Pagoda House, Winchester

Built in 1848 for Richard Andrews, Mayor of Southampton and one of the wealthiest men in England, this house has long been known for its extravagance. Recent extensive restoration won the property a Design Award, and with its six bedrooms, large conservatory, orangery and multiple reception rooms it is perhaps the most distinctive home in the area. Totalling over 5,000 sq/ft. in size, the vast property with its various outbuildings once hosted some of the most influential political figures of its time, such as Giuseppe Garibaldi. Available through Savills for £3.95m.

5. Park Town, Oxford

Park Town is a Grade II listed terraced family home in the prestigious Crescents of North Oxford. Arranged over five floors, it boasts six bedrooms and four reception rooms, as well as an impressive Cotteswood fitted kitchen which looks out over the communal Park Town garden. Feature arches and ornate fireplaces adorn the property, adding much character. Available through Strutt & Parker for £2.75m.

6. Semaphore House, Guildford

Once part of a vital naval communications route, this historic Grade II listed property has a unique charm. Its most prominent feature is a cupola with panoramic 360 degree views across Guildford and Surrey’s beautiful green hills, and the cathedral itself, while the immaculately maintained gardens include a picturesque pagoda, wall of cascading water and even a putting green. Five bedrooms and a games room make this sprawling property the ideal place to entertain, and there is scope for further extension. Available through Savills and Knight Frank for £2.495m.

7. Exchange House, Canterbury

Dating back to the 17^th Century, Exchange House is a charming Grade II listed home in the centre of Canterbury. While the exterior and some parts of the home retain a traditional aesthetic, including timber framing, exposed beams and a charming brick fireplace, the rest of the property has undergone impressive modernisation to provide a lovely four-bedroom family home. Available through Jackson-Stops & Staff for £520,000.

8. Woodhill Place, Bath

This elegant semi-detached regency house has five bedrooms and its placement atop Bathwick Hill gives it unparalleled views over the Somerset countryside. A Grade II listed property, many of its original features have been retained, with cornicing, ceiling roses and sweeping staircase attesting to its history. The grand entrance hall leads to numerous reception rooms, with French doors opening onto the manicured gardens. Available through Knight Frank for £2m.

9. Forbes Place, Chichester

This delightful ground floor apartment is located in much sought-after King George Gardens, a renovated and converted Grade II listed building close to central Chichester. Beautifully maintained communal gardens provide an idyllic setting for the property, which has two bedrooms and a modern kitchen. Available through Hamptons for £310,000.

10. Portland Lodge, Exeter

This beautifully refurbished Grade II listed regency house commands an idyllic spot in the Devon countryside. Three of its six bedrooms have far-reaching views of the rural landscape and the city beyond, and its terrace, veranda and large vegetable garden offer a perfect retreat. Three handsome reception rooms make it perfect for entertaining, and the double garage with turntable is sure to impress. Available through Savills for £1.35m.

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