A handsome listed Victorian former Rectory, with two bedroom cottage, set within two acres of fantastic gardens, with tennis court and rural views, on the edge of a pretty village.
Set behind private gates, with a large driveway turning sweep within beautifully landscaped gardens, The Old Rectory is a substantial grade II listed Victorian Rectory, which dates from circa 1862.
The Old Rectory's accommodation retains the grace, proportions, elegance and the features of the Victorian era. The four principal reception rooms, and five main bedrooms are all elegant and symmetrical, with large sash windows, with working shutters throughout, offering attractive views over the gardens, and high ceilings, several with coving and roses, along with working window shutters. However, these period elements are complimented by a modern and contemporary palette and eye, which makes for a fabulous modern period home, with a lovely feel and flow to its accommodation.
In addition, the self-contained two bedroom single storey annex cottage, within an attractive former coach house and located just across a courtyard from the main house, is ideal for extended family, guest accommodation or letting purposes.
Accommodation: The front door opens into a wide and inviting limestone flagged reception hallway which offers access to the four reception rooms, along with the kitchen and utility. It offers a lovely, light and voluminous space for meeting and greeting guests. Within the hallway, the main staircase with an attractive curving balustrade, rises to the first floor, beneath which stairs also descend to the two room vaulted cellar.
The reception rooms are all striking and beautifully proportioned. Positioned centrally within the south façade of the house, the solid wood floored, 26' dining room (currently a snooker room) has an attractive fireplace and a fabulous, full height, bay window, with fully functioning shutters and French doors within, opening to the gardens.
The dual aspect sitting room, in the south east corner of the house also has period detailing, with working shutters, ceiling coving and rose, as well as a marble open fireplace. The library, in the north east corner, would also be ideal as a play room, with period fireplace. Across the entrance hallway, the home study, which belies its proportions, has two sash windows overlooking the driveway.
The open plan family kitchen has been formed through the amalgamation of two former rooms. It is well placed within the house for flow, whilst French doors open from it directly to the gardens. It has an extensive range of wall and base units beneath granite worktops, with a dresser unit that spans an entire wall with further cupboards, drawers and display shelves. With double Belfast sink and four-oven gas Aga, there are integrated fridge and dishwasher appliances, whilst large central island unit, with a breakfast bar, has integrated oven, microwave and hob appliances as well.
From the kitchen, a door accesses a secondary staircase to the first floor, whilst the stone flooring continues from the breakfast room into a rear entrance hall, with access to the courtyard between house and annex, and a laundry/boot room.
At first floor, the galleried landing is bathed in natural light from a large skylight window, and provides access to the five double bedrooms and two bathrooms, with bedroom six at second floor level.
The 27' dual-aspect principal bedroom was originally two rooms. It incorporates bedroom and dressing area, with a range of built-in wardrobes spanning a wall en-route to the full suite en suite bathroom, with centrally positioned bath and separate shower cubicle, which is jack & Jill to the landing.
Double bedroom two also has an Jack & Jill full-suite ensuite bathroom, with bath and separate shower, which is well placed for double bedrooms three and four too. A door off the landing accesses stairs that lead up to bedroom six on the second floor, currently used for storage.
Annex Cottage
Across a courtyard from the house, within a brick built former coach house, lies a single storey two bedroom cottage with a sitting room, kitchen, shower room and two bedrooms. The property has had a new kitchen fitted and has been redecorated in the past year. It is currently uncarpeted and is used by the family as a gym.
Gardens
The gardens wrap around the house and are beautifully presented with landscaped lawns, deep flowering borders and mixed deciduous and cedar trees.
With mature wooded and hedgerow boundaries, there is a high degree of privacy. They include formal lawns and informal areas, a kitchen garden and terraces for entertaining and for tracking the sun. In addition a full-sized hard tennis court ensure fabulous lifestyle opportunities.
The property is approached through electric double gates and approached to an extensive gravelled turning sweep and parking area to the north of the house, with access to garaging and to the annex cottage's parking.
The house and annex are positioned within 2.03 acres, or thereabouts, of gardens in total.
View payable Stamp Duty for this property
This is a really elegant home. With period grace, I love the contemporary feel and presentation; it shows how period proportions can appeal to a modern eye well. The gardens are also lovely, as is the area; there so much to do nearby. For example, I regularly attend Sywell Reservoir's weekend open water swimming.
James AbbottProperty agent