There is a lot to be said for a room with a view. But it is the pool room at Birchwood House that probably has the best vista.
The infinity pool has floor to ceiling glass on two sides, a outlook across the 26 acres of land surrounding the house.
It is in a leisure complex so luxurious that one could live as comfortably in there as one could in the main house.
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This cutting edge home is in Hoar Cross in Burton upon Trent. The town of Burton is just over eight miles away while Birmingham is less than 30.
It is being sold for just shy of £3 million, but the hefty price tag nets an outstanding contemporary house made from beautiful materials and the seclusion one can only get from being surrounded by acres of privately owned rolling fields.
Located at the end of long drive, Birchwood House is made from Siberian larch with brick and cream rendered elevations, topped by a slate roof.
Inside, the generous use of glass, sliding and bi-fold glazed doors, and part walls with wide openings between rooms creates a sense of space and light.
No expense has been spared on the design of the house and the decor.
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Fittings include a white gloss and granite-topped kitchen, stone/oak floors, designer wet rooms, underfloor heating and digitally controlled (from iPad/iPhones or smartphone) lighting, surround sound, electric curtains and blinds, pool temperature, security system, lawn irrigation system, garage doors and climate control.
All the lights can be , including scene setting and occupancy simulation.
There are ceiling speakers in all principal rooms and the house is adapted for wheelchair use with lift in the middle of the entrance hallway.
The layout features four reception spaces on the ground floor, including the galleried hall, sitting room, drawing room (with library) and a snug. There is a central kitchen/breakfast and a nearly 30ft long media room at the end of its own wing.
On the first floor there are five suites/bedrooms – all of them with their own private shower or bathrooms.
In the hallway, which is large enough to accommodate a grand piano, there is a bespoke oak and glass staircase over a stone floor.
High gloss white kitchen units with granite work surfaces have been fitted in the kitchen above Jura grey/blue honed limestone flooring. Appliances include Siemens four-ring induction hob, two Siemens fan ovens, Siemens steamer, De Dietrich extractor fan, Fisher & Paykel two-drawer dishwasher, two Siemens fridges and freezers, a Siemens microwave oven, coffee machine and a warming drawer.
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The cinema room boasts an HD and 3D projector system with B&W Nautilus speakers, enormous screen with full surround sound, bar, wine coolers, fridge and dishwasher.
Upstairs, two of the bedrooms have vaulted ceilings which have been fitted with fibre optic lighting mapping the night sky at this latitude. One of the guest bedrooms has access to a south-facing balcony.
The master suite features a dressing room with custom-made wenge and oak vanity units and a bathroom with wet room-style shower and Castello bath.
The walls and floors of the en suites are dressed with Italian cream limestone and have Axor Massaud and Hansgrohe designer fittings with oversized shower heads.
A high efficiency ground source heating pump provides hot water, underfloor heating and heats the pool.
The leisure suite is as well equipped as a purpose-built spa hotel. with slate and oak while the floor is heated basalt.
The 12m infinity edge pool means swimmers can gaze across lush green fields as they plough through the lengths.
It has an automatic pool cover and Swimjet feature for swimming against the current or a spot of aquatic massage.
Afterwards, there is a chance to relax by walking through the raindance shower with side massage jets, enjoying the dry heat of the sauna lined with Western red cedar or soaking up the humidity of the steam room.
For a dryer workout, there is a large gym with surround sound and drop down cinema screen with HD projector.
There are also beautifully appointed shower and changing rooms.
Planning permission has been granted for a glazed single storey link from the house to the leisure suite
An extensive tarmacadam drive (with other houses leading off) leads to Birchwood House. A granite parking and turning area lies to the front and there is a triple garage with workshop and store attached.
The majority of the gardens lie to the back. A south-facing terrace wraps round the whole house and can be accessed via bi-folding doors off the kitchen, drawing room and media room. Water collected from the leisure suite roof feeds the irrigation system for the lawn.
At the end of the manicured lawns is the hard tennis court and orchard area. Beyond this there are paddocks.
Hoar Cross is an affluent little village, nestled in the hills of the ancient Needwood Forest (now part of the National Forest).
The next nearest village to this rural idyll is Abbots Bromley. This has a variety of pubs and restaurants, a convenience store, a GP’s surgery and a junior school.
Sports fans will appreciate the fact that it is just seven and a half miles from Uttoxeter Racecourse and only four miles from St George’s Park National Football Centre – a £105m facility for the use of all the England teams ahead of international fixtures.
There is a sailing club at .
VIEWING INFORMATION
AGENT: Jackson-Stops & Staff
TEL: 01625 540340
WEB: www.jackson-stops.co.uk
GUIDE PRICE: £2,950,000