Estate Agent details, July 2000
Keats Hilder in Liphook are marketing "Woolmer Gate", a lovely detached house dating from about 1920 with an interesting literary connection. Flora Thompson, author of the classic trilogy "Lark Rise to Candleford" and other works on Victorian country life lived at the house in 1927-28 while her husband was the village postmaster. Some of her writings describe the countryside immediately adjacent to Woolmer Gate and although her roots were in Oxfordshire, her love of this part of East Hampshire has kept her works prominent in the area.
Woolmer Gate has retained much of its original charm although it is larger now than when Flora Thompson would have known it. A substantial extension has been added which has formed additional living space on two floors, and the property now offers four bedrooms, bathroom and en-suite shower room on the first floor. Downstairs there is a fine through reception room with oak strip floor and double glazed casement doors to the garden and, although the house benefits from many improvements, original fireplaces, windows and picture rails have been kept where possible.
Other downstairs rooms include study/playroom, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, entrance hall, rear lobby and cloakroom.
The property occupies a very pleasant semi-rural position facing woodland and its rear garden, which enjoys a southerly aspect, is mature with beds and borders, apple tree and several fir trees. In all the grounds extend to approximately a quarter of an acre and include a detached garage with integral store.
John and Flora sold the house in 1928 for around £750.
In 2000 Keats Hilder gave a price guide of £350,000.
The property came on the market again in 2003 for £490,000.