The Little House is a beautiful Grade II Listed country property set in the heart of Barnsley near Cirencester which is on the market for £1.9 million.

The property is believed to date back to the 17th century with more recent extensions creating excellent living space.

The gardens are a particular feature of The Little House, designed by the late Rosemary Verey and added to by the current vendors.

Spacious ground floor accommodation is centred around an excellent kitchen/breakfast room which includes an oil-fired Aga and Neff electric oven.

Attached is a light and airy garden room with French doors opening out onto the fabulous gardens – an ideal spot for alfresco dining and entertaining.

Close to the front door is a spacious drawing room and dining room, both with French doors to the garden, and study/sitting room beyond. To the rear of the house is a WC/cloakroom and another door opening out to the beautiful gardens.

On the east side of the house is a second hall, a spacious bedroom and en-suite bathroom, ideal for guests or a dependant relative.

There's is also a large utility room with externally accessed cellars below suitable for conversion to cinema room, games room or similar.

The first floor is accessed by two staircases.

The master bedroom with dressing area and spacious bathroom is centrally situated with two further double bedrooms and a family bathroom adjacent to the open-plan landing. The landing could be used as a study or if needed, reverted to a fifth bedroom.

The Little House is approached off the road by a gravel driveway passing the house before leading to a parking area in front of the stone double garage.

To the rear of the house is a paved terrace with circular steps that rise up to the most sensational gardens, set out by the celebrated garden designer Rosemary Verey in the 1980s.

Rosemary lived in nearby Barnsley House and had a particular relationship with The Little House as well as with her royal clients such as the Prince of Wales at Highgrove and celebrities including Sir Elton John.

The gardens are a particular feature divided by clipped hedges, walls, herbaceous borders and mature beds.

There are extensive lawns and semi-wooded areas. Despite their detail they are relatively easy to maintain for the non-green fingered owner and provide enjoyment throughout the year.

Of particular note are the wonderful specimen trees, paths, parterre and pottager gardens and two water features by Simon Verity, one surrounded by pleached whitebeam and the other eclipsed by a ring of pleached hornbeams underplanted with brunnera “jack frost”.

Stone walls and a mature Beech hedge provide privacy from the village road.

There is an Apple Archway walk with 20 different varieties of apples, a vegetable garden, raised beds, traditional stone potting shed with Gothic doorway and workbench and a greenhouse. To the west is an orchard area of fruit and mature specimen trees.

Behind the stone garage is a further lawn, including a group of silver birch trees, which could be used as a small paddock, tennis court or similar.

The Little House is situated in the centre of the charming village of Barnsley at the heart of the Cotswold Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

As a designated Conservation Area, the quintessential charm of Barnsley is protected. The parish has amenities including the award winning Village Pub, the boutique Barnsley House Hotel and the 12th Century Church of St Mary.

The larger centres of Cirencester (4 miles) and Cheltenham (17 miles) provide comprehensive shopping and recreational facilities.

Kemble (8 miles) and Swindon (16 miles) stations, offer regular train services to London Paddington. A dual carriageway linking the M4 and M5 is easily accessible.

There are ample sporting opportunities in the local area including popular golf courses at Cirencester, Burford and Cheltenham; racing at Cheltenham, Bath and Warwick; polo at Cirencester; VWH hunting and water sports at the Cotswold Water Park.

Education is first class with a good selection of private and state schools, including nearby Hatherop Castle, Rendcomb College, Beaudesert Park and the Cheltenham Colleges.

Nearby Cirencester, the 'Capital of the Cotswolds', is ideally situated in one of the most beautiful areas in England.

The thriving market town is steeped in history and culture and is an ideal destination to enjoy a day trip of a longer weekend .

Its quaint charm comes from nearly two thousand years of history and its picturesque setting. History surrounds you when you walk through the town's charming streets.

Cirencester was founded on its status as an important military fort in the Roman south-west. It developed in the medieval period through the wealth generated by the wool trade and its Market Town status dates back to the Doomsday Book in 1086.

A bustling market scene is still vital in Cirencester, and has been given a renewed prominence thanks to a redevelopment of the Market Square in the town.

There are many places to visit and sites to enjoy, including the Corinium Museum (home to the Visitor Information Centre), the peaceful Abbey Grounds, St Michael's Park, beautiful Cirencester Park, Roman Amphitheatre and New Brewery Arts.

Shopping in Cirencester offers an eclectic mix of independent retailers, alongside some recognisable high street names. And after a day of retail therapy, there are plenty of cafes, restaurants and Inns available to catch up with friends and enjoy some locally-sourced food.

Culture-vultures are also well served in the town with the newly opened Barn Theatre offering professional theatre to rival the West End, the Sundial Theatre offering an eclectic mix including some of the UK's best comedians, and the New Brewery Arts offering a host of courses and exhibitions.

Agent: Knight Frank, Cirencester

Price: £1.9 million

T: 01285 659771

W: www.knightfrank.co.uk