House For Sale £435,000
Ref: SP0303.
Temporary photos - please view again for updated selection!
Offered for Auction with no upper chain. The auction will take place through BidX1 on 14th October 2021 unless sold prior under auction terms. Please contact the agent for details of forthcoming open days. Viewing is not available on an ad hoc basis, so please do not trespass or attempt to enter the property without an appointment. To see the house from the outside, it is possible to walk along the public right of way to the front of the property, or the towpath on the opposite side of the river.
Description
The Elms is a substantial detached Victorian farmhouse on the edge of the Cambridgeshire village of Benwick. The house was built in the mid 1800s and was the original farmhouse for Bank Farm. It faces the Old Course of the River Nene and benefits from riparian mooring and fishing rights. The location is utterly delightful, with a stunning open views across farmer's fields and dramatic fenland skies. It is within walking distance of the village which is a thriving community with a Spar shop, a pub, and a primary school.
The house is a large traditional farmhouse, with spacious rooms, and extensive grounds which surround the house and extend to just over three acres. The house is in need of renovation and modernisation and some parts of the house, chiefly to the right, are affected by subsidence. There is lapsed planning permission for significant building works as a single home, but the property could also be redeveloped by subdivision, conversion, or replacement of the existing buildings, subject to planning consent.
In the main house, there are three reception rooms, four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a conservatory. There is also a contemporary studio annexe, and a range of outbuildings, including garaging for three cars.
The Courtyard
The main entrance to the property is from the courtyard to the rear.
Outbuildings to right including garages and annexe
To the right there is a complex of outbuildings comprising a single garage, a double garage with electric doors, an oil tank store, a cloakroom, a large unconverted ground floor area consisting of three store rooms, and an enclosed iron staircase rising to the fully modernised annexe (see below).
Outbuildings to left including Lodge
To the left there are two buildings. The first consists of a former workshop and former kennels suitable for conversion. The second is a period lodge. The lodge is linked to the kitchen of the main house via a garden room (see below).
The Ground Floor of the Farmhouse
Front Porch
A solid front door opens into a small porch with a cloaks cupboard.
Entrance Hall
A further front door opens into an imposing entrance hall with feature stone voussoir arches opening to the ground floor inner hall and the first floor galleried landing. To the right, a turning staircase with a wooden balustrade rises to the first floor, with a cupboard under the stairs beneath. There is a stone arched window to the gardens on the half landing, and two further porthole windows.
Inner Hall
The inner hall extends almost the whole width of the house. On the far left is a double glazed window looking towards the garden. There are two covered radiators in this hallway which also serve the sitting room and the dining room.
Cloakroom
On the far right of the inner hall is a large cloakroom. This is unmodernised but functional, with a heated towel rail, and windows to the rear and side.
Sitting Room
The sitting room overlooks the river to the front. Period features include deep skirting boards and a ceiling with period coving, and a central spiderweb rose. There is a sash bay window with aluminium framed secondary glazing, and a metal French window leading out to the conservatory. There is a reproduction Adam style fireplace with an electric fire and cupboards in the alcoves to each side.
Conservatory
The conservatory is a period extension overlooking the river and must have been a beautiful room in its heyday. It has wood framed windows on three sides and French doors opening to the front garden.
Dining Room
The dining room overlooks the river to the front. There is a traditional brick open fireplace, deep skirting boards, period coving, and traditional ceiling paper. There is a sash bay window with aluminium framed secondary glazing. (This room is currently used to store a snooker table base).
Study / 5th Bedroom
The study overlooks the river to the front. There is a sash window with aluminium framed secondary glazing. A door opens into the library / pantry. Radiator.
Library / Pantry
The library / pantry overlooks the river to the front. There is a sash window with aluminium framed secondary glazing. Doors to the hallway and study.
Kitchen
The huge kitchen is to the rear of the house and is unmodernised with a mish mash of vintage units and cupboards, including a corner pantry. There is a metal window overlooking the side gardens, and a wooden window overlooking the courtyard. The highlight of the kitchen is a magnificent four oven Aga, in beautiful condition. There is space for a breakfast table, and a range of appliances, including an alternative cooker for ease of use. The ceiling is in poor condition. A half glazed door leads to the garden room.
Garden Room
The garden room has been built over a side courtyard to form a utility cum conservatory linking the main house and the lodge. There is a door and window to the courtyard side and two glazed walls to the garden side. This room is in poor repair and the ceiling has collapsed. There are doors to kitchen and lodge.
The Lodge
The period lodge consists a porch and one large room which is partially converted into a kitchen. In the main room there is a metal window overlooking the courtyard and a wooden window looking towards the garden. The lodge is linked to the kitchen of the main house via a garden room (see above). An oil fired boiler in the lodge supplies central heating to the farmhouse.
The First Floor of the Farmhouse
First Floor Landing
Stairs rise from the entrance hall to the long galleried first floor landing, overlooking the hall. At the left end is a fitted cupboard. To the right is a window to the rear.
Bedroom 1
Bedroom one is a large bright room overlooking the river. There are two sash windows to the front with secondary glazing. There are two standard ceiling lights and a radiator.
Linen Room
The linen room or walk in wardrobe is separately accessed from the landing. No window.
Bedroom 2
Bedroom two is to the front with views over the river. There are two sash windows with secondary glazing to the front, three fitted cupboards, and four wall sconces.
Bedroom 3
Bedroom three is to the front with views over the river. There is one sash window with secondary glazing to the front, one fitted cupboard, and one wall sconce.
Bathroom 1
This modernised bathroom is at the far end of the landing. It is fully tiled in white, with a white three piece suite and over bath shower, window to rear, and radiator.
Bathroom 2
This unmodernised bathroom is at the opposite end of the house. It has a pink three piece suite and small shower cubicle. There is a sash window to the front overlooking the river, and a casement window to the side, both with secondary glazing.
Bathroom 3
This is the principle bathroom which has been fully tiled and modernised. It has a three piece suite including a bath, a basin, a toilet, and a separate modern walk-in shower. There are inset ceiling lights, two heated towel rails, and a double glazed casement window to the side. There is a Megaflow Heatrae Sadia immersion tank in this room for independent hot water supply which has not yet been boxed in.
Bedroom 4
Bedroom four is to the rear and is accessed through bathroom 3. It is a bright room with a double glazed casement window to the garden side, a secondary glazed casement to the courtyard side, and a sash with secondary glazing looking towards the driveway. It would be possible to add an internal staircase from the kitchen to turn this area into a guest suite.
Annexe
The annexe is a fully modernised space on the first floor of the main outbuilding, and is accessed by an enclosed (previously external) wrought iron staircase. It comprises a very large living room with plenty of space for sleeping, sitting, dining, and an excellent small kitchen area. There is a double glazed window with a lovely view over the garden. There is also a contemporary shower room. There is electric underfloor heating in the annexe with its own fuse box. This unit would be ideal to live in whilst working on the redevelopment of the farmhouse.
Gardens
There are three entrances to the property from the road - the straight main drive leading to the garages and large tarmac parking area; a farm gate off the road frontage leading straight into the garden; and a formal wrought iron gate in the far front corner of the garden leading to a long, curved former driveway, no longer in use and covered with grass.
The beautiful grounds surround the house on all sides and extend to just over three acres. The land is mainly lawned, and is divided into formal and informal areas, including two greenhouses, a chicken run, a gardener’s store, and a large formal pond filled with goldfish. There are many mature trees and shrubs, including two fruiting pears. To the front of the house there is is a small walled front garden overlooking the river. Gates provide access to the side gardens.
Mooring
The property enjoys a very wide frontage to the river, including about 100 feet of moorings. The front garden is separated from the river by a wide footpath but this does not impact on the pleasure of this delightful spot, or its mooring rights. The moorings are piled and well constructed in concrete with heavy duty mooring bollards. The Old Course of the River Nene is a non-crt waterway managed by the Middle Level Commissioners. The Middle Level waterways are fully accessible by narrowboat (subject to water levels and bridge heights), and they are connected to the main canal network via the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal and the Wash. A new waterway currently under development will provide a further connection, via Bedford, to the Grand Union Canal at Milton Keynes. This will make it possible to cruise several delightful waterway rings directly from the property.
Disclaimer
All measurements and details are approximate and provided for guidance and marketing only.
Temporary photos - please view again for updated selection!
Offered for Auction with no upper chain. The auction will take place through BidX1 on 14th October 2021 unless sold prior under auction terms. Please contact the agent for details of forthcoming open days. Viewing is not available on an ad hoc basis, so please do not trespass or attempt to enter the property without an appointment. To see the house from the outside, it is possible to walk along the public right of way to the front of the property, or the towpath on the opposite side of the river.
Description
The Elms is a substantial detached Victorian farmhouse on the edge of the Cambridgeshire village of Benwick. The house was built in the mid 1800s and was the original farmhouse for Bank Farm. It faces the Old Course of the River Nene and benefits from riparian mooring and fishing rights. The location is utterly delightful, with a stunning open views across farmer's fields and dramatic fenland skies. It is within walking distance of the village which is a thriving community with a Spar shop, a pub, and a primary school.
The house is a large traditional farmhouse, with spacious rooms, and extensive grounds which surround the house and extend to just over three acres. The house is in need of renovation and modernisation and some parts of the house, chiefly to the right, are affected by subsidence. There is lapsed planning permission for significant building works as a single home, but the property could also be redeveloped by subdivision, conversion, or replacement of the existing buildings, subject to planning consent.
In the main house, there are three reception rooms, four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a conservatory. There is also a contemporary studio annexe, and a range of outbuildings, including garaging for three cars.
The Courtyard
The main entrance to the property is from the courtyard to the rear.
Outbuildings to right including garages and annexe
To the right there is a complex of outbuildings comprising a single garage, a double garage with electric doors, an oil tank store, a cloakroom, a large unconverted ground floor area consisting of three store rooms, and an enclosed iron staircase rising to the fully modernised annexe (see below).
Outbuildings to left including Lodge
To the left there are two buildings. The first consists of a former workshop and former kennels suitable for conversion. The second is a period lodge. The lodge is linked to the kitchen of the main house via a garden room (see below).
The Ground Floor of the Farmhouse
Front Porch
A solid front door opens into a small porch with a cloaks cupboard.
Entrance Hall
A further front door opens into an imposing entrance hall with feature stone voussoir arches opening to the ground floor inner hall and the first floor galleried landing. To the right, a turning staircase with a wooden balustrade rises to the first floor, with a cupboard under the stairs beneath. There is a stone arched window to the gardens on the half landing, and two further porthole windows.
Inner Hall
The inner hall extends almost the whole width of the house. On the far left is a double glazed window looking towards the garden. There are two covered radiators in this hallway which also serve the sitting room and the dining room.
Cloakroom
On the far right of the inner hall is a large cloakroom. This is unmodernised but functional, with a heated towel rail, and windows to the rear and side.
Sitting Room
The sitting room overlooks the river to the front. Period features include deep skirting boards and a ceiling with period coving, and a central spiderweb rose. There is a sash bay window with aluminium framed secondary glazing, and a metal French window leading out to the conservatory. There is a reproduction Adam style fireplace with an electric fire and cupboards in the alcoves to each side.
Conservatory
The conservatory is a period extension overlooking the river and must have been a beautiful room in its heyday. It has wood framed windows on three sides and French doors opening to the front garden.
Dining Room
The dining room overlooks the river to the front. There is a traditional brick open fireplace, deep skirting boards, period coving, and traditional ceiling paper. There is a sash bay window with aluminium framed secondary glazing. (This room is currently used to store a snooker table base).
Study / 5th Bedroom
The study overlooks the river to the front. There is a sash window with aluminium framed secondary glazing. A door opens into the library / pantry. Radiator.
Library / Pantry
The library / pantry overlooks the river to the front. There is a sash window with aluminium framed secondary glazing. Doors to the hallway and study.
Kitchen
The huge kitchen is to the rear of the house and is unmodernised with a mish mash of vintage units and cupboards, including a corner pantry. There is a metal window overlooking the side gardens, and a wooden window overlooking the courtyard. The highlight of the kitchen is a magnificent four oven Aga, in beautiful condition. There is space for a breakfast table, and a range of appliances, including an alternative cooker for ease of use. The ceiling is in poor condition. A half glazed door leads to the garden room.
Garden Room
The garden room has been built over a side courtyard to form a utility cum conservatory linking the main house and the lodge. There is a door and window to the courtyard side and two glazed walls to the garden side. This room is in poor repair and the ceiling has collapsed. There are doors to kitchen and lodge.
The Lodge
The period lodge consists a porch and one large room which is partially converted into a kitchen. In the main room there is a metal window overlooking the courtyard and a wooden window looking towards the garden. The lodge is linked to the kitchen of the main house via a garden room (see above). An oil fired boiler in the lodge supplies central heating to the farmhouse.
The First Floor of the Farmhouse
First Floor Landing
Stairs rise from the entrance hall to the long galleried first floor landing, overlooking the hall. At the left end is a fitted cupboard. To the right is a window to the rear.
Bedroom 1
Bedroom one is a large bright room overlooking the river. There are two sash windows to the front with secondary glazing. There are two standard ceiling lights and a radiator.
Linen Room
The linen room or walk in wardrobe is separately accessed from the landing. No window.
Bedroom 2
Bedroom two is to the front with views over the river. There are two sash windows with secondary glazing to the front, three fitted cupboards, and four wall sconces.
Bedroom 3
Bedroom three is to the front with views over the river. There is one sash window with secondary glazing to the front, one fitted cupboard, and one wall sconce.
Bathroom 1
This modernised bathroom is at the far end of the landing. It is fully tiled in white, with a white three piece suite and over bath shower, window to rear, and radiator.
Bathroom 2
This unmodernised bathroom is at the opposite end of the house. It has a pink three piece suite and small shower cubicle. There is a sash window to the front overlooking the river, and a casement window to the side, both with secondary glazing.
Bathroom 3
This is the principle bathroom which has been fully tiled and modernised. It has a three piece suite including a bath, a basin, a toilet, and a separate modern walk-in shower. There are inset ceiling lights, two heated towel rails, and a double glazed casement window to the side. There is a Megaflow Heatrae Sadia immersion tank in this room for independent hot water supply which has not yet been boxed in.
Bedroom 4
Bedroom four is to the rear and is accessed through bathroom 3. It is a bright room with a double glazed casement window to the garden side, a secondary glazed casement to the courtyard side, and a sash with secondary glazing looking towards the driveway. It would be possible to add an internal staircase from the kitchen to turn this area into a guest suite.
Annexe
The annexe is a fully modernised space on the first floor of the main outbuilding, and is accessed by an enclosed (previously external) wrought iron staircase. It comprises a very large living room with plenty of space for sleeping, sitting, dining, and an excellent small kitchen area. There is a double glazed window with a lovely view over the garden. There is also a contemporary shower room. There is electric underfloor heating in the annexe with its own fuse box. This unit would be ideal to live in whilst working on the redevelopment of the farmhouse.
Gardens
There are three entrances to the property from the road - the straight main drive leading to the garages and large tarmac parking area; a farm gate off the road frontage leading straight into the garden; and a formal wrought iron gate in the far front corner of the garden leading to a long, curved former driveway, no longer in use and covered with grass.
The beautiful grounds surround the house on all sides and extend to just over three acres. The land is mainly lawned, and is divided into formal and informal areas, including two greenhouses, a chicken run, a gardener’s store, and a large formal pond filled with goldfish. There are many mature trees and shrubs, including two fruiting pears. To the front of the house there is is a small walled front garden overlooking the river. Gates provide access to the side gardens.
Mooring
The property enjoys a very wide frontage to the river, including about 100 feet of moorings. The front garden is separated from the river by a wide footpath but this does not impact on the pleasure of this delightful spot, or its mooring rights. The moorings are piled and well constructed in concrete with heavy duty mooring bollards. The Old Course of the River Nene is a non-crt waterway managed by the Middle Level Commissioners. The Middle Level waterways are fully accessible by narrowboat (subject to water levels and bridge heights), and they are connected to the main canal network via the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal and the Wash. A new waterway currently under development will provide a further connection, via Bedford, to the Grand Union Canal at Milton Keynes. This will make it possible to cruise several delightful waterway rings directly from the property.
Disclaimer
All measurements and details are approximate and provided for guidance and marketing only.
