The stunning Test Valley is no stranger to rarities – osprey can regularly be seen between Longparish and Wherwell as they make their transition between Scotland and Africa, and vice versa.

But for those who want a more permanent place close to the banks of this world-famous chalk stream, a family home called Woodedge at South Harewood, also between the two villages and about a mile from the A303, is a rarity not to be missed.

You won’t need to be dressed like a twitcher to see it as Simon Randall, from Carter Jonas, will happily take you to where the house stands surrounded by its gardens, backing onto Harewood Forest and looking out across the Test.

The property started life as a modest bungalow in the 1930s but has since been substantially remodelled and extended to take advantage of its 0.66 acre setting. It now has a spacious master suite consisting of bed, dressing, and bath rooms plus a study occupying the roof space, accessed via a turning staircase that’s an unobtrusive presence towards the rear of the very large sitting room where a bay window looks out across the Test.

A door in the sitting room opens to an inner hall serving three bedrooms, two with fitted wardrobes, and at the back of the house is a shower room with a separate w.c. The kitchen is at the rear of the house with a separate breakfast room with glazed walls that has been added to the side of the house behind the dining room – large double glazed windows taking full advantage of the outlook are features of many downstairs rooms.

The gardens are a major feature, extending right around the property with a further 0.34 of an acre available at a nominal annual rent to give a full acre of space. Primarily lawn, a significant feature is a sunken garden with ornamental pond and rockery but the plot also boasts various beds and borders, mature trees, a vegetable garden, and a paved terrace in addition to a raised swimming pool. Gated access leads to the driveway which provides ample parking, and there is a car port.

Guide price is £725,000 (EPC Band F). For more information, contact Carter Jonas on 01962 842742 or email winchester@carterjonas.co.uk