House For Sale £1,250,000
Willowdene, a mid-Victorian period property dating from the 1850s, boasts a lovely feel reflecting stylish eras with such touches as its Regency style front porch, traditional fireplaces, panelling and Georgian style sash windows. Spacious, elegant rooms offer a mix of high ceilings, picture rails, deep skirtings, ceiling/wall mouldings and maple wood flooring to the main reception rooms. As a unique home of approx. 4930 sq ft, it also offers the versatility of a self-contained wing with the whole property set in a generous garden mixing the formality of a walled terrace and an abundance of natural areas.
The entrance lobby opens into a large reception room with a tall bay window, a feature log burner and staircase, with storage cupboard below, to the first floor. An inner hall, with its unusual curved wall, leads through to the formal dining room, large living room and kitchen/breakfast room. The wood-panelled dining room, with its tall bay window, has an Arts and Crafts style feel and a fabulous open fireplace with original tile surround, ornate high-level mantel flanked by leaded lights in alcoves. The room’s walk-out bay window has a door to the garden. The distinctive living room, south facing, with its Victorian-style fireplace, ornate surround and marble hearth, has decorative features including wall beading, large ceiling rose and picture rails. Its walk-out bay window includes a door to the terrace, with views over the gardens and a further door to a spacious, traditional conservatory. The two rooms are linked by original sliding panelled ‘pocket’ doors to allow their use as one huge room for special occasions. The generous kitchen/breakfast room is fitted in a traditional style with integrated oven and hob and has ample room for a breakfast table. The kitchen leads through to a snug room; a lovely area perfect for watching the bird feeders or a separate area to eat, relax or work. Both kitchen and snug overlook the south facing kitchen garden, a sun trap in the mornings and afternoons. The kitchen also leads to a large walk-in pantry, utility room, large storage room, cloakroom and through to the rear lobby with stable door accessing the garden. Beyond is a generous sized study with dual aspect views over the garden.
Upstairs, the large landing with loft access provides access to four of the bedrooms, the family bathroom, separate WC and large walk-in airing cupboard. The imposing principal bedroom is dual aspect, featuring an Art Deco style corner fireplace and door out to an unusual feature: A roofed, wooden beamed balcony overlooking the gardens. Bedroom two is a spacious double room with a door to gain access to the self-contained annexe, if required. Bedroom three is a double room and bedroom four is a good-sized single room or small double. The family bathroom features a four-piece suite and next door is a separate WC.
The self-contained annexe, with separate external side entrance, is ideal for guests, a retreat for young or more elderly relatives or perhaps a live-in au pair. The accommodation includes, a substantial dual aspect lounge, Shaker style kitchen/diner with fitted appliances, bathroom with three-piece suite and a large double bedroom.
A wide, gravelled drive bounded by a close board fence and wrought iron gates leads to the property frontage with ample parking. The drive continues along the side of the property past the entrance to the annexe, a store cupboard, covered alcoves useful for logs storage and to more parking space and a triple garage at the rear. The wrap around garden is south facing to the rear, laid mainly to lawn there and to the right side of the house, and benefits from sun through the day. The large flat lawned area is ideal for family games, parties, etc. Two sets of steps from the lawn lead up to the house fronted by an extensive south facing walled terrace, featuring sunken rose beds, which is ideal for al fresco dining. The garden has a wide range of trees, bushes, shrubs and plants.
Seller Insight
Semi-rurally situated to the south of St Ives, Cambridgeshire, Willowdene is a striking period home standing in large established grounds. A mid-Victorian property c1850s, it has touches reflecting periods pre-1850s, seen in its Regency style front porch, Georgian style sashes and elegant rooms. Versatile and distinctive, it has been the much-loved home of the current owners for 28-years.
“Willowdene or ‘The Dene’, as our family have come to call it over the years, will be a big wrench to leave with so many happy memories over nearly 30 years. Sadly, with the sheer size of the place (we couldn’t believe it was around 5,000sq ft when it was measured!) it’s time to move to somewhere smaller.
“We knew the property was a real one-off when we bought it with such lovely living space, south facing gardens, privacy and has been perfect as a family home. We were looking for somewhere with character, a bit quirky, but practical and very little was on offer. Willowdene just jumped out at us, the great spaces, good light and airiness, its versatility inside while outside the contrast between the formal terrace, a lawn big enough for a tennis court and lots of ‘hide & seek’ fun to be had.
“We were hugely attracted to the mix of big and smaller rooms and how they connected and found it a very versatile home, as perfect for day-to-day use as for hosting guests. With this and the rambling elements of the garden which is so much a natural environment, it’s been tremendous for a growing family. The garden has many mature trees, including a giant sequoia guarding the entrance, a rare bitter orange tree along with bushes and rose beds, etc.
“Above all, it’s been such a fun home to live in with memories of playing Kubb (basically throwing pieces of wood!), Quidditch when Harry Potter was the big thing and other games in the garden.
Inside, opening up the main reception rooms into a huge space for parties with the sliding doors was always a treat. For many years, one room had a full-sized table tennis table there permanently for ping pong & the fir cones game (don’t ask!).
“The house really is ideal for entertaining, especially for parties and visitors and its traditional feel with tall bay windows, original plaster and wooden mouldings, curved walls etc make it such a pleasure to live in. Having a walk-in pantry and a walk-in airing cupboard, too, are not always thought of in homes these days; we’ll miss this sort of thing. Christmas meals and supper parties are always atmospheric, in the room with an open fire, (quite recently replaced with a wood burner) before flopping down in one of the other rooms.
“The house has some quite unusual features aside from its varied fireplace styles, panelled dining room, etc including our ‘resident’ (!) passion flower bush inside the conservatory and a covered balcony off the main bedroom for breakfasts in the morning or glasses of wine at sunset. On a more practical side in these times, there is a completely refurbished self-contained first floor flat, ideal for a range of uses - maybe for family or friends to stay, as a working from home area, a live in au pair or an art or crafts studio with the light being so excellent.
“The location is ideal for access to the countryside, riverside walks, nature reserves, etc and convenient for the amenities of village & town life nearby. We feel tucked away (first time visitors often don’t find us easily) and I suppose a good description is ‘semi rural’ with all the local amenities in the Hemingfords villages and St Ives just a few minutes stroll and close by, Cambridge a 15 minutes’ drive and London about an hour on the train from nearby Huntingdon.
“Anyway, it’s not a property for anyone looking for the conventional; but The Dene has been an unforgettable family home for us, one we were lucky to find all those years ago and one we’ll be very sad to say goodbye to.”
Village information
St Ives is a charming market town on the banks of the River Great Ouse c12 miles north-west of Cambridge. The main street and the old Quay, on the riverside, have many attractive buildings, with several architecturally important, including a Jacobean manor house and the 15th century All Saints church and six-arch Barnack stone Chapel Bridge, one of only four of its kind left in England. The market square has a good range of shops from national chains to small independent stores. Weekly markets offer locally produced foods and several food/drink festivals and continental markets are held during the year. There is ample choice for the more active: A leisure centre, championship golf course, sailing, boating, fishing and walks and many sports clubs/activities.
Transport
St Ives combines its rural advantages with superb transport links, lying just north of the A14 with easy access into Cambridge, with links to the M11, A1M, M1 and the national road network. Access to Cambridge city centre is convenient with the Madingley Road Park & Ride just 25 minutes’ drive away. The Guided Busway (just a few minutes’ walk from Willowdene) links St Ives directly to Cambridge city centre and Cambridge Science Park. Nearby Huntingdon (c10 minutes’ drive) offers a fast train link into London King’s Cross (from c50 minutes) connecting services to the North via Peterborough rail station.
Schools
St Ives is well-served with the St Ivo Academy secondary school and three primary schools (Thorndown, Westfield and Wheatfields) and Hemingford Grey Primary School is nearby. Easy access to Cambridge offers a choice of highly regarded independent schools. They include King’s College School and The Perse School. Nearby Kimbolton School, a well-regarded independent school, is c30 minutes’ drive away and offers a dedicated bus service to St Ives.
Agents Information
Tenure: Freehold
Year Built: C1850s
EPC: D
Council Tax Band: G
Virtual Viewings Available<br /><br /> <b>Important Note to Purchasers:</b><br> We endeavour to make our sales particulars accurate and reliable, however, they do not constitute or form part of an offer or any contract and none is to be relied upon as statements of representation or fact. Any services, systems and appliances listed in this specification have not been tested by us and no guarantee as to their operating ability or efficiency is given. All measurements have been taken as a guide to prospective buyers only, and are not precise. Please be advised that some of the particulars may be awaiting vendor approval. If you require clarification or further information on any points, please contact us, especially if you are traveling some distance to view. Fixtures and fittings other than those mentioned are to be agreed with the seller.<br><br>FCY220006
The entrance lobby opens into a large reception room with a tall bay window, a feature log burner and staircase, with storage cupboard below, to the first floor. An inner hall, with its unusual curved wall, leads through to the formal dining room, large living room and kitchen/breakfast room. The wood-panelled dining room, with its tall bay window, has an Arts and Crafts style feel and a fabulous open fireplace with original tile surround, ornate high-level mantel flanked by leaded lights in alcoves. The room’s walk-out bay window has a door to the garden. The distinctive living room, south facing, with its Victorian-style fireplace, ornate surround and marble hearth, has decorative features including wall beading, large ceiling rose and picture rails. Its walk-out bay window includes a door to the terrace, with views over the gardens and a further door to a spacious, traditional conservatory. The two rooms are linked by original sliding panelled ‘pocket’ doors to allow their use as one huge room for special occasions. The generous kitchen/breakfast room is fitted in a traditional style with integrated oven and hob and has ample room for a breakfast table. The kitchen leads through to a snug room; a lovely area perfect for watching the bird feeders or a separate area to eat, relax or work. Both kitchen and snug overlook the south facing kitchen garden, a sun trap in the mornings and afternoons. The kitchen also leads to a large walk-in pantry, utility room, large storage room, cloakroom and through to the rear lobby with stable door accessing the garden. Beyond is a generous sized study with dual aspect views over the garden.
Upstairs, the large landing with loft access provides access to four of the bedrooms, the family bathroom, separate WC and large walk-in airing cupboard. The imposing principal bedroom is dual aspect, featuring an Art Deco style corner fireplace and door out to an unusual feature: A roofed, wooden beamed balcony overlooking the gardens. Bedroom two is a spacious double room with a door to gain access to the self-contained annexe, if required. Bedroom three is a double room and bedroom four is a good-sized single room or small double. The family bathroom features a four-piece suite and next door is a separate WC.
The self-contained annexe, with separate external side entrance, is ideal for guests, a retreat for young or more elderly relatives or perhaps a live-in au pair. The accommodation includes, a substantial dual aspect lounge, Shaker style kitchen/diner with fitted appliances, bathroom with three-piece suite and a large double bedroom.
A wide, gravelled drive bounded by a close board fence and wrought iron gates leads to the property frontage with ample parking. The drive continues along the side of the property past the entrance to the annexe, a store cupboard, covered alcoves useful for logs storage and to more parking space and a triple garage at the rear. The wrap around garden is south facing to the rear, laid mainly to lawn there and to the right side of the house, and benefits from sun through the day. The large flat lawned area is ideal for family games, parties, etc. Two sets of steps from the lawn lead up to the house fronted by an extensive south facing walled terrace, featuring sunken rose beds, which is ideal for al fresco dining. The garden has a wide range of trees, bushes, shrubs and plants.
Seller Insight
Semi-rurally situated to the south of St Ives, Cambridgeshire, Willowdene is a striking period home standing in large established grounds. A mid-Victorian property c1850s, it has touches reflecting periods pre-1850s, seen in its Regency style front porch, Georgian style sashes and elegant rooms. Versatile and distinctive, it has been the much-loved home of the current owners for 28-years.
“Willowdene or ‘The Dene’, as our family have come to call it over the years, will be a big wrench to leave with so many happy memories over nearly 30 years. Sadly, with the sheer size of the place (we couldn’t believe it was around 5,000sq ft when it was measured!) it’s time to move to somewhere smaller.
“We knew the property was a real one-off when we bought it with such lovely living space, south facing gardens, privacy and has been perfect as a family home. We were looking for somewhere with character, a bit quirky, but practical and very little was on offer. Willowdene just jumped out at us, the great spaces, good light and airiness, its versatility inside while outside the contrast between the formal terrace, a lawn big enough for a tennis court and lots of ‘hide & seek’ fun to be had.
“We were hugely attracted to the mix of big and smaller rooms and how they connected and found it a very versatile home, as perfect for day-to-day use as for hosting guests. With this and the rambling elements of the garden which is so much a natural environment, it’s been tremendous for a growing family. The garden has many mature trees, including a giant sequoia guarding the entrance, a rare bitter orange tree along with bushes and rose beds, etc.
“Above all, it’s been such a fun home to live in with memories of playing Kubb (basically throwing pieces of wood!), Quidditch when Harry Potter was the big thing and other games in the garden.
Inside, opening up the main reception rooms into a huge space for parties with the sliding doors was always a treat. For many years, one room had a full-sized table tennis table there permanently for ping pong & the fir cones game (don’t ask!).
“The house really is ideal for entertaining, especially for parties and visitors and its traditional feel with tall bay windows, original plaster and wooden mouldings, curved walls etc make it such a pleasure to live in. Having a walk-in pantry and a walk-in airing cupboard, too, are not always thought of in homes these days; we’ll miss this sort of thing. Christmas meals and supper parties are always atmospheric, in the room with an open fire, (quite recently replaced with a wood burner) before flopping down in one of the other rooms.
“The house has some quite unusual features aside from its varied fireplace styles, panelled dining room, etc including our ‘resident’ (!) passion flower bush inside the conservatory and a covered balcony off the main bedroom for breakfasts in the morning or glasses of wine at sunset. On a more practical side in these times, there is a completely refurbished self-contained first floor flat, ideal for a range of uses - maybe for family or friends to stay, as a working from home area, a live in au pair or an art or crafts studio with the light being so excellent.
“The location is ideal for access to the countryside, riverside walks, nature reserves, etc and convenient for the amenities of village & town life nearby. We feel tucked away (first time visitors often don’t find us easily) and I suppose a good description is ‘semi rural’ with all the local amenities in the Hemingfords villages and St Ives just a few minutes stroll and close by, Cambridge a 15 minutes’ drive and London about an hour on the train from nearby Huntingdon.
“Anyway, it’s not a property for anyone looking for the conventional; but The Dene has been an unforgettable family home for us, one we were lucky to find all those years ago and one we’ll be very sad to say goodbye to.”
Village information
St Ives is a charming market town on the banks of the River Great Ouse c12 miles north-west of Cambridge. The main street and the old Quay, on the riverside, have many attractive buildings, with several architecturally important, including a Jacobean manor house and the 15th century All Saints church and six-arch Barnack stone Chapel Bridge, one of only four of its kind left in England. The market square has a good range of shops from national chains to small independent stores. Weekly markets offer locally produced foods and several food/drink festivals and continental markets are held during the year. There is ample choice for the more active: A leisure centre, championship golf course, sailing, boating, fishing and walks and many sports clubs/activities.
Transport
St Ives combines its rural advantages with superb transport links, lying just north of the A14 with easy access into Cambridge, with links to the M11, A1M, M1 and the national road network. Access to Cambridge city centre is convenient with the Madingley Road Park & Ride just 25 minutes’ drive away. The Guided Busway (just a few minutes’ walk from Willowdene) links St Ives directly to Cambridge city centre and Cambridge Science Park. Nearby Huntingdon (c10 minutes’ drive) offers a fast train link into London King’s Cross (from c50 minutes) connecting services to the North via Peterborough rail station.
Schools
St Ives is well-served with the St Ivo Academy secondary school and three primary schools (Thorndown, Westfield and Wheatfields) and Hemingford Grey Primary School is nearby. Easy access to Cambridge offers a choice of highly regarded independent schools. They include King’s College School and The Perse School. Nearby Kimbolton School, a well-regarded independent school, is c30 minutes’ drive away and offers a dedicated bus service to St Ives.
Agents Information
Tenure: Freehold
Year Built: C1850s
EPC: D
Council Tax Band: G
Virtual Viewings Available<br /><br /> <b>Important Note to Purchasers:</b><br> We endeavour to make our sales particulars accurate and reliable, however, they do not constitute or form part of an offer or any contract and none is to be relied upon as statements of representation or fact. Any services, systems and appliances listed in this specification have not been tested by us and no guarantee as to their operating ability or efficiency is given. All measurements have been taken as a guide to prospective buyers only, and are not precise. Please be advised that some of the particulars may be awaiting vendor approval. If you require clarification or further information on any points, please contact us, especially if you are traveling some distance to view. Fixtures and fittings other than those mentioned are to be agreed with the seller.<br><br>FCY220006
