House For Sale £1,500,000
With a rich history and located in the centre of this sought-after village, Whympers is a non-listed Edwardian Arts & Crafts style home which has been restored by the current owners and now offers beautifully presented accommodation with generous proportions throughout.
The entrance hall opens onto the reception rooms, kitchen breakfast room and rear porch. The living room features an open fireplace and two glazed doors to the west facing side garden, a large window overlooks the main south facing garden. The dual aspect dining room, also with an open fireplace, an east facing bay window and south facing French doors. Once two rooms, the kitchen breakfast room is now a large open space finished with solid wooden work surfaces, butler sink, range cooker and large walk-in pantry. French doors to the garden are ideal for summer entertaining. The rear vestibule has been finished with a mosaic floor and benefits from access to a utility room and cloakroom.
The first floor includes the principal bedroom with windows overlooking the village clock tower, three further bedrooms and two bathrooms, one with a freestanding bath. All of these bedrooms have their original fireplaces. The fifth bedroom is located on the second floor.
Outside, the part walled plot of approximately 0.4 acre surrounds the house to the west, south and east, it has been landscaped to include well stocked borders, mature specimen trees and a revolving summer house. Extending around the house, most of the rooms enjoy views of the garden. A double garage and drive offer parking.
The property was taken on as a project in 2019 with the intention of returning the house close to its original conception. The restoration in brief includes re-wiring, re-plumbing, new drains, several structural alterations, re-plastering and rendering inside and out in materials commensurate with an Edwardian build, new windows and doors, new staircase and the removal of post 1902 additions. The house enjoys a prominent and commanding presence in the centre of the village in a conservation area a short distance from the National Trust Mill and looks out onto The Green dominated by a thatched clock tower, designed and funded by Charles Whymper ra, the first occupant. The house is built in an Arts and Crafts style.
Seller Insight
“Whympers is an Edwardian home built for and owned by the painter and illustrator Charles Whymper, ” the current owners say, “which has an interesting history. Whymper’s brother, Edward was the first to climb the Matterhorn, and he and Charles built a monument of the mountain in the garden.
So, since taking ownership four years ago, the current owners have made immeasurable improvements to the property, “our intention was to save the Arts and Crafts house for the village and to restore it to the beautiful home that it once was. We have returned the house close to its original floorplan and design by careful reference to old plans, paintings, photographs and the testimony of former occupants. We have done our best to respect the integrity of the house using materials commensurate with the original build such as lime render, alongside modern materials such as breathable paint to bring the building up to contemporary standards. Every single brick on the northern façade has been carefully cleaned of paint and cement mortar and repointed in lime mortar as when first constructed. No expense has been spared on the interiors, too, with everything completed to the highest specification. This 1902 house retains its history whilst offering all of the comforts of modern life.”
“Our favourite room is the kitchen, where we spend much of our time, ” the owners say, “while the large dining room is ideal for entertaining. Upstairs, all of the double bedrooms have fantastic views, while downstairs a series of doors open out from the kitchen, dining room and sitting room. The gardens themselves are large and wonderfully colourful all year round, a particularly special feature being the rotating 1920’s summerhouse – complete with Yorkshire sash windows and shingle roof.
The location of the property has much to recommend it, too. “Set in an enviable position next to the thatched clock tower in the picturesque village of Houghton, the house sits at the heart of community life, ” the owners say. “We are opposite the thriving community-run general store at the village green, and there is a well-regarded primary school, an active Church, a cosy pub and a couple of small independent shops too in this popular village. What’s more, Houghton is just nineteen miles from Cambridge City Centre famous for its university, its architecture, culture, shopping and entertainments, and renowned private schools. Neighbouring St Ives, where a guided busway links to Cambridge, can be reached via the Thicket on foot or by bicycle. In fact cycling past the Science Park into Cambridge takes an hour. The thriving market towns of Huntingdon and St Ives and cathedral city of Ely are also not far away for boutiques, cafes and restaurants, and again, well-regarded schooling.”
Village information
The riverside village of Houghton lies between the market towns of Huntingdon to the east and St Ives to the west. The village of Houghton lies side by side with the village of Wyton along the bank of the River Great Ouse and combined forms the Houghton & Wyton Parish of Huntingdonshire. Much of Houghton and Wyton fall within a Conservation Area with many buildings of architectural interest together with the flood meadows and pretty countryside. Local amenities within the two villages include: Three small shops, a community owned general store which houses a post office, a village hall, two pubs and a primary school in Houghton. The village hall hosts a range of activities from baby and toddler groups, Pilates, karate and dancing and is also available for private hire. Nearby Wyton and Hartford marinas provide a range of leisure facilities. There are more comprehensive shopping and leisure facilities in nearby Huntingdon and St Ives including most major supermarkets. Cambridge is about 20 miles away and offers a wide range of cultural, leisure and shopping facilities together with its well renowned University colleges.
Transport
There is good road access north and south via the A1 and east and west by the A14. The new guided bus service now provides direct access into Cambridge. Nearby Huntingdon has a mainline train station providing fast services into London in approx. 50 minutes and to the North via Peterborough.
Schools
There is a playgroup and primary school in Houghton and is in the catchment area for St Peter’s secondary school in Huntingdon. Other nearby primary schools include: Wyton on the Hill Community Primary School, Thorndown Primary School in St Ives and Hemingford Grey Primary School. Other nearby secondary schools include: St Ivo School in St Ives and Hinchingbrooke School in Huntingdon. There is a wide range of well-regarded independent schools for all age groups in Cambridge as well as the renowned King’s Ely and Kimbolton Schools which are all within approx. 30-40 minutes’ drive.
Agents Information
Tenure: Freehold
Year Built: C1902 – Not Listed
EPC: E
Local Authority: Huntingdon District Council
Council Tax Band: G
The whole property has Ubiquity WiFi which would enable someone to run a business from home
The garage has the infrastructure to install a car charging point<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>FCY220085
The entrance hall opens onto the reception rooms, kitchen breakfast room and rear porch. The living room features an open fireplace and two glazed doors to the west facing side garden, a large window overlooks the main south facing garden. The dual aspect dining room, also with an open fireplace, an east facing bay window and south facing French doors. Once two rooms, the kitchen breakfast room is now a large open space finished with solid wooden work surfaces, butler sink, range cooker and large walk-in pantry. French doors to the garden are ideal for summer entertaining. The rear vestibule has been finished with a mosaic floor and benefits from access to a utility room and cloakroom.
The first floor includes the principal bedroom with windows overlooking the village clock tower, three further bedrooms and two bathrooms, one with a freestanding bath. All of these bedrooms have their original fireplaces. The fifth bedroom is located on the second floor.
Outside, the part walled plot of approximately 0.4 acre surrounds the house to the west, south and east, it has been landscaped to include well stocked borders, mature specimen trees and a revolving summer house. Extending around the house, most of the rooms enjoy views of the garden. A double garage and drive offer parking.
The property was taken on as a project in 2019 with the intention of returning the house close to its original conception. The restoration in brief includes re-wiring, re-plumbing, new drains, several structural alterations, re-plastering and rendering inside and out in materials commensurate with an Edwardian build, new windows and doors, new staircase and the removal of post 1902 additions. The house enjoys a prominent and commanding presence in the centre of the village in a conservation area a short distance from the National Trust Mill and looks out onto The Green dominated by a thatched clock tower, designed and funded by Charles Whymper ra, the first occupant. The house is built in an Arts and Crafts style.
Seller Insight
“Whympers is an Edwardian home built for and owned by the painter and illustrator Charles Whymper, ” the current owners say, “which has an interesting history. Whymper’s brother, Edward was the first to climb the Matterhorn, and he and Charles built a monument of the mountain in the garden.
So, since taking ownership four years ago, the current owners have made immeasurable improvements to the property, “our intention was to save the Arts and Crafts house for the village and to restore it to the beautiful home that it once was. We have returned the house close to its original floorplan and design by careful reference to old plans, paintings, photographs and the testimony of former occupants. We have done our best to respect the integrity of the house using materials commensurate with the original build such as lime render, alongside modern materials such as breathable paint to bring the building up to contemporary standards. Every single brick on the northern façade has been carefully cleaned of paint and cement mortar and repointed in lime mortar as when first constructed. No expense has been spared on the interiors, too, with everything completed to the highest specification. This 1902 house retains its history whilst offering all of the comforts of modern life.”
“Our favourite room is the kitchen, where we spend much of our time, ” the owners say, “while the large dining room is ideal for entertaining. Upstairs, all of the double bedrooms have fantastic views, while downstairs a series of doors open out from the kitchen, dining room and sitting room. The gardens themselves are large and wonderfully colourful all year round, a particularly special feature being the rotating 1920’s summerhouse – complete with Yorkshire sash windows and shingle roof.
The location of the property has much to recommend it, too. “Set in an enviable position next to the thatched clock tower in the picturesque village of Houghton, the house sits at the heart of community life, ” the owners say. “We are opposite the thriving community-run general store at the village green, and there is a well-regarded primary school, an active Church, a cosy pub and a couple of small independent shops too in this popular village. What’s more, Houghton is just nineteen miles from Cambridge City Centre famous for its university, its architecture, culture, shopping and entertainments, and renowned private schools. Neighbouring St Ives, where a guided busway links to Cambridge, can be reached via the Thicket on foot or by bicycle. In fact cycling past the Science Park into Cambridge takes an hour. The thriving market towns of Huntingdon and St Ives and cathedral city of Ely are also not far away for boutiques, cafes and restaurants, and again, well-regarded schooling.”
Village information
The riverside village of Houghton lies between the market towns of Huntingdon to the east and St Ives to the west. The village of Houghton lies side by side with the village of Wyton along the bank of the River Great Ouse and combined forms the Houghton & Wyton Parish of Huntingdonshire. Much of Houghton and Wyton fall within a Conservation Area with many buildings of architectural interest together with the flood meadows and pretty countryside. Local amenities within the two villages include: Three small shops, a community owned general store which houses a post office, a village hall, two pubs and a primary school in Houghton. The village hall hosts a range of activities from baby and toddler groups, Pilates, karate and dancing and is also available for private hire. Nearby Wyton and Hartford marinas provide a range of leisure facilities. There are more comprehensive shopping and leisure facilities in nearby Huntingdon and St Ives including most major supermarkets. Cambridge is about 20 miles away and offers a wide range of cultural, leisure and shopping facilities together with its well renowned University colleges.
Transport
There is good road access north and south via the A1 and east and west by the A14. The new guided bus service now provides direct access into Cambridge. Nearby Huntingdon has a mainline train station providing fast services into London in approx. 50 minutes and to the North via Peterborough.
Schools
There is a playgroup and primary school in Houghton and is in the catchment area for St Peter’s secondary school in Huntingdon. Other nearby primary schools include: Wyton on the Hill Community Primary School, Thorndown Primary School in St Ives and Hemingford Grey Primary School. Other nearby secondary schools include: St Ivo School in St Ives and Hinchingbrooke School in Huntingdon. There is a wide range of well-regarded independent schools for all age groups in Cambridge as well as the renowned King’s Ely and Kimbolton Schools which are all within approx. 30-40 minutes’ drive.
Agents Information
Tenure: Freehold
Year Built: C1902 – Not Listed
EPC: E
Local Authority: Huntingdon District Council
Council Tax Band: G
The whole property has Ubiquity WiFi which would enable someone to run a business from home
The garage has the infrastructure to install a car charging point<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>FCY220085
