Look inside this former rectory for sale - a “piece of history” complete with coats of arms and arched windows.

The Old Rectory, in Chew Stoke, is Grade II* listed and was built in 1529, having been constructed for Sir John Barry, the rector of St Andrew’s Church at the time.

Over the years, various rectors of the church made their own additions to the building, including a clock tower which has since been removed.

old rectory
The entrance to the property. (Joanna Tiley Estate Agents)

In the 1870s, the property ceased to be the rectors’ home when a new rectory was built.

The new rectory is thought to have been the result of the Old Rectory being unable to accommodate a visiting bishop and his staff - or it may have been because the building was not big enough for the rector’s family.

In 1945, it became a rectory once again, when the new rectory became a convalescent home for children.

It remained in use until 2008, when it was sold by the church and became a private home.

old rectory
The kitchen, which leads to the orangery. (Joanna Tiley Estate Agents)

The house is decorated with a number of coats of arms on the south front, six of which are the arms of the area’s main landowners in the 1500s, the St Loe family, as well as angels holding the initials ‘JB’, referring to John Barry.

The property, which has been sympathetically renovated and has views to the church, is of limestone and sandstone rubble with limestone dressings and a slate roof on the south block.

Entering the property, a double-height ceiling crowns the reception hall, which leads through to three reception rooms, two of which have period fireplaces and stone mullioned windows.

old rectory
The dining room. (Joanna Tiley Estate Agents)

Moving into the kitchen, there is an AGA cooker and a large pantry area, as well as access into an orangery with French doors to the garden.

Completing the ground floor is a utility/boot room and a wet room, with the entirety of this level benefiting from underfloor heating.

A bespoke oak staircase leads to the first floor, with a principal bedroom featuring an en-suite bathroom, wardrobe storage and exposed beams.

old rectory
One of the bedrooms, with period features including exposed beams. (Joanna Tiley )

Also on this floor is a family bathroom and three further double bedrooms, with exposed beams and a fireplace.

In the grounds, there is a selection of outbuildings, including a greenhouse and a double garage, as well as parking behind the gated entrance.

old rectory
The coats of arms adorn the south wall of the property. (Joanna Tiley)

The property is being sold by Joanna Tiley Estate Agents for a price of £1,850,000.

Joanna Tiley said: “A piece of history, fantastically restored and renovated to a very high standard retaining the period features and charm of its 16th century origins.

“The Grade II* listed property is set in beautifully maintained grounds within the centre of Chew Stoke, in the heart of the Chew Valley.”