Bargain Hunter: Property of the week

Restoration drama

IT HAS two kitchens, a kitchenette and a scullery, hasn't been decorated in years, is in need of central heating and stands near the busy A342 between Devizes and Chippenham. But it's a lovely mellow old country house, stands in seven acres, has an old stone coach house with stable, tack room, hayloft and dovecote... and it's just had pounds 45,000 knocked off the price. Mulberry Lodge in Rowde, Wiltshire, is 14 miles from Bath, the city that casts a golden glow over property prices in a 20-mile radius, partly because of its own beautiful buildings, partly because of the good schools and also because it's within easy reach of London. Around pounds 50,000 could make this house a real gem. Others in the area, in good condition but with no land to speak of, have sold for upwards of pounds 465,000. Offers of pounds 350,000 to joint agents Cluttons (01225 469511) or Drewett Neate (01380 722237).