House For Sale £720,000
VICTORIAN FAMILY HOME IN RIVERSIDE HAMLET, OVERLOOKING THE GREEN AND WITH PERFECTLY PRIVATE GARDENS
A superb, extended, 5-bedroom family home within the lovely, riverside hamlet of Radwell, Laburnham House looks down the country lane towards the river to one side and, to the other, over The Green and its picturesque, thatched cottages. With driveway parking for at least three cars, you also have a super games room with bar, a craft room cum study and a utility room that have all been designed to be turned into an attached annexe, perhaps for elderly parents, should you wish in the future.
The historic North Bedfordshire parish of Felmersham with Radwell is well positioned minutes from Sharnbrook in one direction, with its schools for all ages, surgery, shops, theatre and community gym, and Milton Ernest in the other, with its popular garden centre and quick access to Bedford – far enough from main road traffic noise, yet just 6 miles from the county town’s fast trains, which reach London in under 40 minutes, and its world-renowned private schools. Pinchmill Primary School is less than a mile from your front door.
Mentioned in the Domesday Book, Felmersham with Radwell is particularly known for the glorious 13th century Church of St Mary, referred to by Nikolaus Pevsner as “the noblest parish church in the country”. Fabulous countryside surrounds the parish, with wonderful, circular walks straight from your doorstep. Step out along the beautiful River Great Ouse to Pavenham Golf Club, or to the nature reserves and Pinchmill islands near Sharnbrook. Swim or boat from Felmersham’s community gardens, followed by a drink or meal at the highly thought of 17th century Sun Inn, and you’ll think you’re on holiday. Could a family ask for more?
ABOUT THE PROPERTY
Laburnham House stands, in its understated way, in a rather commanding position on its own island territory, with views all-around of the lanes winding through beautiful countryside, and of its quintessential country cottage neighbours surrounding The Green.
Over the years, the original Victorian cottage has grown significantly, yet harmoniously, to provide plenty of space for a family to grow in turn, even providing the option of turning some of the rooms into an annexe with downstairs bedroom and bathroom. In the meantime, what a great place for entertaining, with its bar and games room, complete with professional pool table (by separate negotiation). Throw open the French doors and that summer garden party or barbecue will go with a swing.
The sitting room is at once huge and cosy. Watch television at one end, read peacefully in front of logs ablaze in the multifuel stove at the other. With the fireplace’s striking stone surround and its reclaimed bricks and quarries, you’d be forgiven for not realising that this is part of the extension.
But step onto the tumbled travertine hall floor, through the gorgeous, old kitchen door and into the beautiful dining room, with its original floorboards and fireplace, and you’ll have no doubt that you are in the Victorian part of the house. The Shaker-style kitchen, with its Belfast sink, oak tops and wooden pot rack hanging over the island, is perfectly in keeping.
Picture rails and high ceilings add to the feeling of space. Light pours through large, sliding sash windows. Bedrooms have room for studying as well as sleeping. One has an original fireplace, the main bedroom has its own bathroom to add to the stylish family bathroom, and all have a super outlook to wake up to.
Outside, south-west facing gardens with something for everyone and everything. Pretty flowers and shrubs, lawns for the budding footballer, wild areas for the pollinators and beautiful trees and hedging a haven for the birds. Eat al fresco beneath the awning on the gravelled terrace, sip wine under the beautiful red roses, morning coffee near the kitchen, peacefully watch dragonflies flit across the pond. Delightful!
