House For Sale £950,000
Clareford is a beautiful detached family home within the sought after location of Ickwell. The house dates back to the 1950s, but has been refitted and extended by the current owners. The property has stunning views to both the front and rear.
The spacious entrance hall includes a three piece shower room and a French polished staircase leading to the upper floor. The family room has a dual aspect full height large window which overlooks the garden, a large bay window and a brick built fireplace. The sitting room is the perfect space to entertain, with French doors that open to the dining room from which patio doors lead into the garden. The garden room leads out of the dining room and is an ideal space to sit and enjoy views of the garden. The refitted kitchen overlooks the garden and is fitted with a Neff electric oven, combination oven and warming drawer and has an integrated under counter fridge and dishwasher. Upstairs there are four double bedrooms which have unspoilt views of parkland and countryside. The principal bedroom is dual aspect, has a range of fitted wardrobes and a four piece en-suite. Bedrooms two and four have large windows which overlook the rear garden.
Both the mature front and large rear garden are planted with a range of trees, fruit trees, shrubs and plants. The property has a double garage with an electric roller door and a staircase leading to a home office.
Seller Insight
Built in the 1950s, Clareford is an extremely attractive four-bedroom detached family home that occupies a sought-after location in the delightful village of Ickwell.
“We bought the house twenty-eight years ago, and I think we’d both agree that it was this gorgeous setting that proved to be one of the main selling points, ” says Wyn. “Ickwell is a beautiful place with a pretty village green, maypole, a cricket club and it’s peppered with really attractive thatched cottages.” “It’s the quintessential English village and it’s a place with a really vibrant community, ” adds Margaret. “There’s a singing group, a drama group, yoga in the village hall… It’s a place where you can do as much or as little as you want.”
“The house itself has been the most wonderful family home. However, it was definitely in need of work when we came here, ” continues Wyn. “Over time we’ve added a first-floor extension and made many changes to make it more homely.” “We’ve always been keen to support local artisans and so we have a lot of bespoke features within the house, ” says Margaret. “For example, the fireplace in the TV room was handmade especially for us, and a fantastic carpenter based in Old Warden handcrafted the front porch.”
“One of the many things we love about the house is the fact that it connects so beautifully with the garden, which is yet another gorgeous feature, ” continues Margaret. “We’ve cultivated it over the many years we’ve been here and transformed the space into a really pretty cottage garden. It’s planted with spring, summer and autumn bulbs giving colour throughout the year. We’ve left a lot of the vegetation to its own devices so it attracts lots of wildlife.” “It really is a very beautiful garden and so peaceful and private, ” adds Wyn, “and there are lots of places where we can sit out, relax and just soak in the views.”
“It’s very hard to choose a favourite room, ” says Wyn. “During the summer months we tend to spend more time in the older part of the house because it’s comfortable and cool. However, when it’s cold and miserable outside the TV room is a cosy place to be, particularly when the fire is roaring away.”
“This has been a place where we’ve been able to enjoy a really fantastic quality of life, ” says Margaret. “There’s a sense of community within the village, we have mile upon mile of beautiful countryside on our doorstep and there’s an array of well-served towns and villages close by as well as farm shops so everything we need is within easy reach.” “It’s an ideal spot for a commuter, ” adds Wyn. “I used to work in London and I could hop on the train and be in Kings Cross in just over half an hour.”
“The den above the garage is another great space and very flexible in terms of how it can be used, ” says Margaret. “Wyn wrote his thesis up there, and our daughter often slept up there because she loved to look up through the Velux window and see the stars.”
“The house has been the most wonderful home, but it’s the location that we’ll miss most, ” says Wyn. “Being amongst the greenery, enjoying the beautiful views and utter peace and quiet has been an absolute joy. It’s been a very special place to call home.”
Village information
Ickwell is a picturesque and quintessentially English village, complete with a cricket club (one of the oldest in Bedfordshire) and lots of footpaths and bridleways around the area, perfect for riders, dog walkers, joggers and ramblers alike. The village is dominated by the Green with its cricket pitch and pavilion, maypole and war memorial. The annual Ickwell May Day Festival dates from the 16th century with games, competitions, Morris dancing and children dancing around the Maypole and, of course, the crowning of the May Queen.
Nearby Biggleswade has a variety of shops, cafés, bars and restaurants and a weekly market. The town is also well se with several of the large supermarket chains plus additional brand shopping at the Retail Park on the outskirts of the town. For the more active, there is a sports and leisure centre and a wide selection of sports and leisure clubs for young and old.
Transport
Ickwell lies about 3.5 miles to the west of the market town of Biggleswade and about 10.5 miles southeast of the county town of Bedford. With easy access to the A1(M) and the national motorway network it is convenient for access to Letchworth, Stevenage and Hatfield home to a variety of major employers in the area. For the London commuter, Biggleswade train station offers fast services into London King’s Cross in about 35 minutes and Thameslink also offers services through to Horsham via London St Pancras, London Bridge and Gatwick Airport.
Schools
There are several primary schools in the nearby villages of Northill, Caldecote, Southill and Moggerhanger. The nearest secondary schools are in Biggleswade and Sandy. There are also a number of well-regarded independent schools in Bedford.
Agents Information
Tenure: Freehold
Year Built: 1950s
EPC: E
Local Authority: Central Bedfordshire Council
Council Tax Band: G<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>BWE220461
The spacious entrance hall includes a three piece shower room and a French polished staircase leading to the upper floor. The family room has a dual aspect full height large window which overlooks the garden, a large bay window and a brick built fireplace. The sitting room is the perfect space to entertain, with French doors that open to the dining room from which patio doors lead into the garden. The garden room leads out of the dining room and is an ideal space to sit and enjoy views of the garden. The refitted kitchen overlooks the garden and is fitted with a Neff electric oven, combination oven and warming drawer and has an integrated under counter fridge and dishwasher. Upstairs there are four double bedrooms which have unspoilt views of parkland and countryside. The principal bedroom is dual aspect, has a range of fitted wardrobes and a four piece en-suite. Bedrooms two and four have large windows which overlook the rear garden.
Both the mature front and large rear garden are planted with a range of trees, fruit trees, shrubs and plants. The property has a double garage with an electric roller door and a staircase leading to a home office.
Seller Insight
Built in the 1950s, Clareford is an extremely attractive four-bedroom detached family home that occupies a sought-after location in the delightful village of Ickwell.
“We bought the house twenty-eight years ago, and I think we’d both agree that it was this gorgeous setting that proved to be one of the main selling points, ” says Wyn. “Ickwell is a beautiful place with a pretty village green, maypole, a cricket club and it’s peppered with really attractive thatched cottages.” “It’s the quintessential English village and it’s a place with a really vibrant community, ” adds Margaret. “There’s a singing group, a drama group, yoga in the village hall… It’s a place where you can do as much or as little as you want.”
“The house itself has been the most wonderful family home. However, it was definitely in need of work when we came here, ” continues Wyn. “Over time we’ve added a first-floor extension and made many changes to make it more homely.” “We’ve always been keen to support local artisans and so we have a lot of bespoke features within the house, ” says Margaret. “For example, the fireplace in the TV room was handmade especially for us, and a fantastic carpenter based in Old Warden handcrafted the front porch.”
“One of the many things we love about the house is the fact that it connects so beautifully with the garden, which is yet another gorgeous feature, ” continues Margaret. “We’ve cultivated it over the many years we’ve been here and transformed the space into a really pretty cottage garden. It’s planted with spring, summer and autumn bulbs giving colour throughout the year. We’ve left a lot of the vegetation to its own devices so it attracts lots of wildlife.” “It really is a very beautiful garden and so peaceful and private, ” adds Wyn, “and there are lots of places where we can sit out, relax and just soak in the views.”
“It’s very hard to choose a favourite room, ” says Wyn. “During the summer months we tend to spend more time in the older part of the house because it’s comfortable and cool. However, when it’s cold and miserable outside the TV room is a cosy place to be, particularly when the fire is roaring away.”
“This has been a place where we’ve been able to enjoy a really fantastic quality of life, ” says Margaret. “There’s a sense of community within the village, we have mile upon mile of beautiful countryside on our doorstep and there’s an array of well-served towns and villages close by as well as farm shops so everything we need is within easy reach.” “It’s an ideal spot for a commuter, ” adds Wyn. “I used to work in London and I could hop on the train and be in Kings Cross in just over half an hour.”
“The den above the garage is another great space and very flexible in terms of how it can be used, ” says Margaret. “Wyn wrote his thesis up there, and our daughter often slept up there because she loved to look up through the Velux window and see the stars.”
“The house has been the most wonderful home, but it’s the location that we’ll miss most, ” says Wyn. “Being amongst the greenery, enjoying the beautiful views and utter peace and quiet has been an absolute joy. It’s been a very special place to call home.”
Village information
Ickwell is a picturesque and quintessentially English village, complete with a cricket club (one of the oldest in Bedfordshire) and lots of footpaths and bridleways around the area, perfect for riders, dog walkers, joggers and ramblers alike. The village is dominated by the Green with its cricket pitch and pavilion, maypole and war memorial. The annual Ickwell May Day Festival dates from the 16th century with games, competitions, Morris dancing and children dancing around the Maypole and, of course, the crowning of the May Queen.
Nearby Biggleswade has a variety of shops, cafés, bars and restaurants and a weekly market. The town is also well se with several of the large supermarket chains plus additional brand shopping at the Retail Park on the outskirts of the town. For the more active, there is a sports and leisure centre and a wide selection of sports and leisure clubs for young and old.
Transport
Ickwell lies about 3.5 miles to the west of the market town of Biggleswade and about 10.5 miles southeast of the county town of Bedford. With easy access to the A1(M) and the national motorway network it is convenient for access to Letchworth, Stevenage and Hatfield home to a variety of major employers in the area. For the London commuter, Biggleswade train station offers fast services into London King’s Cross in about 35 minutes and Thameslink also offers services through to Horsham via London St Pancras, London Bridge and Gatwick Airport.
Schools
There are several primary schools in the nearby villages of Northill, Caldecote, Southill and Moggerhanger. The nearest secondary schools are in Biggleswade and Sandy. There are also a number of well-regarded independent schools in Bedford.
Agents Information
Tenure: Freehold
Year Built: 1950s
EPC: E
Local Authority: Central Bedfordshire Council
Council Tax Band: G<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>BWE220461
