A 17th-century waterside house in the coastal village of Bosham in West Sussex, U.K., with a mooring and panoramic water views, has come on the market for offers in the region of £4.95 million (US$6.5 million). The Grade II-listed William and Mary style property sits on Shore Road beside Bosham Creek, which is part of Chichester Harbour. It went on sale with House Partnership on Oct. 23. According to selling agent and Bosham local Felicity Chetwood, The Old Town Hall, as it is known, is “an iconic and instantly recognizable property because it is a historic, distinctive building and it lies ‘on the water, which is a rare combination in Bosham.”

Bosham itself is a pretty, peninsula-set village with a “chilled vibe and a popular sailing club,” and, according to Ms. Chetwood, people who are in-the-know about Bosham want a house on the water. Bosham peninsula lies on two inlets on Chichester Harbour, a natural harbor known for its scenery and wildlife. The extended property has a historic wood-framed interior along with modern fittings, according to its sales photos. It has antique beams reclaimed from ships, old wooden doors and fireplace lintels with portrait carvings, and clay bricks embossed with the date 1694 above the door. While the origins of its name remain a mystery, it is thought the 4,000-square-foot property was used as a meeting place in its long history, according to Ms. Chetwood.
Though the water can be seen from all the main rooms in the house, the best vistas are from the open-plan kitchen and living room, which has two sets of glazed doors that open onto the riverside gardens. Open fireplaces lie at either end, and it has an oak kitchen with a large stainless-steel fridge freezer, and a pantry, according to its sales photos.
The Old Town Hall sits beside Shore Road, a road that goes around the harbour edge and is covered in water during high tides. Small boats and kayaks can be launched from the property or from the adjoining Bosham Lane, according to Ms. Chetwood. The home’s mooring is located further out into the channel in deeper water. A further deep-water mooring is available for lease from the owner, subject to separate negotiation.
The home’s gardens are south and southwest-facing and are mostly laid to lawn and feature several outbuildings, which are used for storage. They look across the serene Bosham Creek, which is dotted with sailboats. A few yards from the home lies a recently built double garage with a sail loft. In addition to the open-plan kitchen and living room, there is a cozy drawing room and a dining room with glazed gable-end wall, a utility room, a master bedroom with a dressing room and an en-suite bathroom, four further bedrooms (three with en suites) and a bathroom. The owners bought the home six years ago and have restored, improved and extended it with the help of a local architect. They are selling the property as they are looking to downsize, according to Ms. Chetwood.
Article source: Mansion Global