Of all the buildings which are best suited to residential conversion, Victorian schools work really well, usually situated within established communities and with classical architecture with high gables and tall windows which allow for plenty of light.

The origins are clearly evident at The Old School House in Houghton, a little village near Stockbridge, in the heart of the Test Valley. The attractive brick and flint elevations are typical of a Hampshire Victorian school building. Once inside, however, there is little to suggest the former use and the space has been arranged as a very comfortable family house.

A welcoming reception hall is protected from the elements by an enclosed porch and doors lead off to ground floor rooms, with stairs rising from here to the bedrooms. The principal space is the superb sitting room; a lovely room with large windows, a glazed door to the garden and a Jetmaster open fireplace. The galley style kitchen is fitted with plenty of storage on both sides and although this leads through to a breakfast room, there is also a formal dining room at the front. The kitchen also has a door to a boiler room.

Three good size bedrooms are arranged off the landing, one with an adjoining bathroom, together with the family bathroom.

Leading off the village lane is a gravel driveway where there is parking for at least two cars and a small kitchen garden to one side. Gated access leads through to a truly lovely cottage garden, beautifully kept with an array of established specimen trees and shrubs and wonderful through the year. There is also an Amdega summer house.

Contact Fox & Sons in Winchester for more details on 01962 862121. A guide price of £675,000 is quoted.