Church Street, Shipston-on-Stour CV36 4AP

Set right in the heart of Shipston-on-Stour, on Church Street beside the church, this handsome mid-18th-century Grade II listed home is built in warm local lias and limestone and enjoys one of those wonderfully special positions that gives you the very best of town living.

Step outside and you are only moments from Shipston’s lovely independent shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants, with everything you need close at hand. Church Street itself has a particularly appealing feel, with handsome period buildings, the church as a beautiful backdrop and a real sense of its own little community. It feels intimate and full of character, yet you are right in the centre of this super-friendly market town.

From the street, the house is particularly handsome, with its warm Cotswold stone façade, sash windows, dormers and traditional bay creating a wonderful first impression. Look a little closer and there is another rather special detail: a large ammonite set into the stonework to the left of the front door. 

The front door opens into a generous entrance hall, where broad flagstone flooring immediately sets the tone for the house. It is a proper entrance, with useful storage and the staircase rising to the upper floors.

The hall sits at the heart of the ground floor, with the main living room and kitchen both reached independently from it, creating an easy and practical flow.

The principal reception room is a fabulous space, running the full depth of the house and combining sitting and dining areas beautifully. At one end, the bay window with plantation shutters fills the room with light and creates a natural sitting area around the wood-burning stove. At the other, there is ample room for a generous dining table, making this a room that works just as well for quiet evenings as it does for having friends and family around.

There is lovely character throughout, with recessed shelving, alcoves and period detailing adding interest.

Across the hall, the kitchen has a warm, informal feel, with white shaker-style cabinetry paired with timber worktops, while the terracotta-toned floor adds another layer of character. There is plenty of storage and preparation space, and a broad window over the sink looks directly onto the garden. A charming traditional timber door with glazed upper panel leads outside, creating an easy connection between the kitchen and garden and making this part of the house feel particularly practical for everyday life. Just outside, the detached brick-built utility room provides really useful additional space, with a sink, plumbing for laundry appliances and room for further storage.

The staircase rises to the first floor, where two generous bedrooms sit either side of the landing. Both have their own individuality. One is a lovely double room with exposed timbers, while the second has an attractive period fireplace, generous proportions and useful recessed areas for storage or dressing furniture. A spacious shower room also sits on this floor, with a large walk-in shower, pedestal basin and WC, and plenty of natural light.

The staircase then continues to the top floor.

The landing here is far more than simply somewhere to pass through. Exposed timbers, original floorboards and the vaulted roofline create a wonderfully atmospheric and versatile space which could work beautifully as a small study, reading area, dressing room or occasional work-from-home space.

From here, the principal bedroom feels private and tucked away beneath the eaves, with further exposed beams.

Alongside is the bathroom, with a freestanding bath, pedestal basin and WC. Rooflights bring in plenty of natural light, while the old timbers running through the room give it real individuality.

Together, the top floor works almost as its own private suite, with the bedroom, bathroom and versatile landing feeling nicely separated from the rest of the house.

Outside, the rear garden is an absolute delight.

Enclosed by traditional brick walls, it has a wonderfully private and established feel, with a generous lawn, deep planted borders, mature shrubs, hydrangeas and plenty of colour. It feels sheltered and peaceful, which is particularly lovely given how centrally the house is positioned.

There are several places to sit and enjoy the garden, including a dedicated seating and dining area towards the far end, making it ideal for summer lunches, drinks with friends or simply enjoying the garden in the sunshine.

The rear elevation of the house is every bit as attractive as the front, with its stone walls, sash windows and traditional roofline providing a beautiful backdrop to the planting.

Sitting alongside the house is the detached brick-built utility room, a particularly useful addition with sink and laundry facilities, while the garden also includes a sauna shed and separate garden shed for further storage.

What makes this house particularly special is the combination of character and history in this very central location nestled beside the church, with all the shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants of Shipston just moments from the front door.

The Location – Shipston-on-Stour
Often referred to as the Gateway to the Cotswolds, Shipston-on-Stour is a historic South Warwickshire market town that offers a wonderful balance of character, culture and community. Perfectly positioned between the cultural charm of Stratford-upon-Avon and the rolling landscapes of the North Cotswolds, it provides an enviable lifestyle for those seeking the feel of country living while remaining well connected.

The town centre is vibrant and welcoming, with an appealing mix of independent shops, award-winning eateries, traditional pubs and cafés that create a lively yet relaxed atmosphere. Beyond its amenities, Shipston is especially known for its strong community spirit, with a wide variety of clubs, societies and activities that cater to all interests, alongside a popular programme of annual events, the buzzing Shipston Proms music festival, and regular craft markets and seasonal celebrations.

Everyday life is well catered for, with an excellent range of local facilities including the Ellen Badger Hospital, medical centre, dental practices, leisure centre, town hall and a variety of sports clubs. Shipston is also well regarded for its schooling, with both Shipston Primary School and Shipston High School in the town, while highly regarded grammar schools in nearby Stratford-upon-Avon offer further choice.

Shipston-on-Stour is exceptionally well placed for travel. The nearby North Cotswold towns of Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and Chipping Campden are all within easy reach, offering some of the region’s most iconic scenery, dining and walking countryside. For commuters, Moreton-in-Marsh station (approximately 6 miles) provides direct rail services to London Paddington, while Banbury station (around 15 miles) offers fast connections to London Marylebone. Stratford-upon-Avon is just nine miles away, and the M40 is readily accessible, placing Oxford, Cheltenham, Warwick and Leamington Spa all within comfortable driving distance.