A FORMER Victorian school converted into a fine family home set in rolling Hampshire countryside could be yours for a cool £1,950,000.

The 5200sq ft country house in the stunning unspoilt village of Avington, on the banks of the River Itchen, is set in 0.75 acres.

It boasts a double height hall and galleried landing, vaulted drawing room, Baronial dining room, seven bedrooms, a self contained access, a triple garage and imaginatively landscaped gardens.

The former school has been substantially extended into the fine family house that exists today with works completed in 2004.

Finished to an exceptionally high standard, oak joinery has been extensively used throughout the house.

The front door opens into a double height hall. There is a useful playroom/sitting room, cloakroom and fine vaulted drawing room, which was the former school room with brick fireplace and wood burning stove. French doors open out to the terrace and there are views up the garden. The family room opens into a superbly fitted kitchen/breakfast room with bespoke handmade units.

A short staircase leads up into a baronial dining room with floor to ceiling brick chimney breast, wood burning stove, and four pairs of French doors leading out to the gardens.

A door leads off into the south west wing, which could provide a self-contained annexe. Within this part of the house is a study/music room, utility room, cloakroom, integral three-car garage and at first floor level, three bedrooms and a bathroom.

Within the main house the galleried landing looks down into the drawing room and hall. The principal bedroom has an adjoining bathroom. There is a guest bedroom and adjoining shower room, two further bedrooms and a family bathroom. The bathrooms are predominantly Villeroy and Boch.

The driveway enters the property through automatic gates and leads up to the garaging. There is also ample additional car parking space.

The gardens are a beautiful feature of the house, fully stocked, landscaped and terraced to take into account the contours of the garden. Adjoining the house are paved and brick terraces and an ornamental pond.

Steps lead up through the beds which are a mass of shrubs and ornamental trees. There is a pergola smothered in clematis and from the top garden, which is lawned, there are amazing views across towards the village, church, and the countryside beyond.

Avington lies north east of the cathedral city of Winchester and forms part of the South Downs National Park.

The village is renowned for Avington Park, a Grade I listed stately home, stayed in by Charles II and George IIII. It boasts a Georgian church, St Mary's, a Trout Fishery, a nine hole parkland golf course and is surrounded by excellent countryside for walking and cycling.

Additional village amenities include the Itchen Abbas and Avington village hall, primary school, a choice of public houses and the shop/post office in Kings Worthy.

The pretty Georgian market town of Alresford four miles away provides excellent day to day shopping.

There are also first class transport links, particularly for London, either by road or rail.

The property is being marketed by Jackson-Stops. Call 01962 844299.