Forge Barn

Set in the heart of the village of Harley and enjoying a great deal of privacy, Forge Barn was created from the period barns that were originally part of Forge Farm. Intended for conversion into three 4-bedroom houses, the owners were able to purchase the site and change the plans before work started, building instead, one exceptional family home with hugely versatile accommodation, outbuildings, and beautiful gardens, completed in 2004.

The internal accommodation extends to over 6651 sq ft. and has been designed to be spacious but comfortable, with family living in mind, and a focus on connecting the house and garden with French doors throughout the ground floor reception space.

The impressive glazed entrance hall accesses the main wing of the barn, to the North of the site, opening into the primary hallway which features a striking galleried landing.

The kitchen/breakfast room is very much at the heart of the property and cleverly connects the two wings of the house. This large open space has painted kitchen units with granite worktops, a large island and built-in seating area along with French doors out to the garden. The adjoining dining room has floor to ceiling windows and a further set of French doors opening onto the terrace at the front of the house. These two areas create a fantastic space for entertaining, with the terrace providing an extension of the house during the summer months.

To the other end of the main wing there is study and a superb 30ft drawing room with a stone fireplace. This leads onto the large games / media room – both rooms provide comfortable and generous living space with French doors out to the terrace again making the most of this wonderful area.

The large master bedroom is an impressive room with a vaulted ceiling, fitted wardrobes and en suite bathroom. There is a further bedroom suite, two double bedrooms and family bathroom in the main wing. An additional, seamlessly connected, southern wing incorporates a utility / laundry, WC and two reception rooms (currently utilised as a gym and office respectively), with stairs rising to a bridged landing with an en suite bedroom at either end.

Garden and grounds
Enclosed by walls, mature hedges and fencing, the plot extends to about 0.62 acres with a central courtyard off which there is plenty of parking and a triple garage / carport. The existing owners have rented the adjacent 4 acre field to the South for the duration of their ownership. The owners believe that there is the possibility that this arrangement could be continued, by separate negotiation.

The courtyard has been beautifully landscaped with terraces and planting that complement the setting of the barns. It is a wonderful sun trap allowing the light in most of the day and into the evening.

To the rear of the house is a large lawn that wraps around the property and has many well planted borders and beds and in part, backs onto neighbouring paddocks with views out over the fields and to St Marys Church in the heart of the village. There is a further barn within the grounds that has had the benefit of planning permission to convert into a one-bedroom dwelling. It is currently used for garden storage but has scope for other uses.

Harley is a sought-after village at the base of Wenlock Edge between the County town of Shrewsbury and the popular market town of Much Wenlock. It is surrounded by glorious countryside that provides plenty of fine walks and is accessible to the A458 which connects Shrewsbury to Bridgnorth and into the Midlands beyond.

A number of highly regarded preparatory and public schools are found nearby, including Prestfelde, Kingsland Grange, Shrewsbury School, Old Hall, Wrekin College and Shrewsbury High School for Girls, as well as a selection of popular state schools. Bus services from the village for the above schools can be arranged, subject to availability.

Directions (postcode SY5 6LX)
From Shrewsbury, leave via the A458 signposted Much Wenlock and continue for about 8 miles before turning right into Harley and continuing for a further 0.4 miles into the centre of Harley. Take the right fork in the road and after a short distance, the driveway to Forge Barn is on the left-hand side of the lane.

Distances
Shrewsbury 8.5 miles, Much Wenlock 2.2 miles,
M54 (junction 7) 8 miles. (Distances and time approximate).

Services
Mains water and electricity. Oil fired central heating. Private drainage.

Local authority
Shropshire council. Tel: . Council Tax Band – H

Marketed by: Knight Frank, Shrewsbury