This is a rare example of an outstanding Modern house in a historic setting in the popular town of Bewdley.
It was designed by the architect Robert Swan for himself and his family in 2006 and has been recently completed to an exacting standard. The four-bedroom house sits in a quiet plot at the end of a track beside an impressive Victorian viaduct. The land was formerly part of the landscaped gardens of a country house that were designed by the celebrated garden designer Gertrude Jekyll, with many plantings from this period remaining.
Accommodation is arranged over three floors, with the most impressive space being the open plan living room with a dining area. Entirely glazed on two sides, with skylights above and high ceilings, this is a wonderfully light space with views over the garden. Much of the glazed façade opens out, blurring the distinction between indoor and outdoor space in a way that has been the ideal of many Modern architects.
Also on the ground floor is a kitchen, with views to the viaduct at the front and, on the other side of the entrance hall, a bedroom and shower room.
Steps constructed from iroko and glass lead up to the first floor where two further bedrooms (one with en suite shower room and walk-in closet) and a family bathroom can be found. There is also a utility area on this floor and access out to the roof terrace. There is an integrated fridge in this room for serving the roof terrace and the bedrooms on this floor.
On the lower ground floor is a further space, currently used as a studio, that could provide a fourth bedroom.
A deck, made from Brazilian walnut, surrounds the ground floor, stepping down into the gardens on one side.
There is ample parking space at the front of the house, beyond which are gardens located under three sandstone railway arches (these are leased at minimal cost).
The viaduct no longer serves mainline railways but forms part of the Severn Valley Railway, a heritage train service running vintage steam trains.
In designing the property for himself, Swan spared few expenses when it came to finishes and fittings. The house, which is steel-framed like many of the Californian houses of the 1950s and 60s to which the design is indebted, features Franke sanitary fittings, Fisher & Paykel refrigeration, Smeg cooking facilities and Saloni porcelain bathroom tiles, amongst other notable details.
The house has been designed with sustainability in mind, and features efficient underfloor heating, Sto render insulated exteriors and argon-filled glass.
The property can be found a short distance from the centre of the pretty town of Bewdley (a picturesque walk along the river takes you into the centre in approximately fifteen minutes). Built largely in the Georgian era, it is noted for its impressive architecture of this period, the River Severn that runs through the middle of it (on which regular regattas are held) and the beautiful Wyre Forest that borders onto it. There are a wide range of shops, services, restaurants and pubs in the town (including the 15th century inn, the Little Pack Horse).
Birmingham is approximately 24 miles away and the cathedral city of Worcester is approximately 14 Miles, both of which provide direct rail connections to London. The medieval town of Ludlow, renowned for its restaurants and food shops (it was named the UK’s number one foodie hot spot in a recent feature in The Telegraph) is 17 miles away.
Closer by is the larger town of Kidderminster, which also has a rail service and wider range of facilities. Direct trains from Kidderminster run directly to London Marylebone in 2 hours 20 minutes.
Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.
