A wonderful traditional farmhouse with adjoining annexe, excellent equestrian facilities and gardens and paddocks of approximately 16.4 acres.

Description

Dating back to the 1600’s during which this has been home to the same family, this is the first time Weston Bury has been offered to the open market. Located at the end of a private tree lined driveway, Weston Bury is rural living at its very best. As the name suggests, the home is located on a hill, close to a church in an elevated position and as such, boasts some fabulous far reaching views over open countryside. Weston Bury is currently arranged as a six-bedroom home with an independent two/three-bedroom adjoining annexe and all set in formal gardens extending to about two acres including the tennis court. From the attractive lengthy driveway bordered by banks of wild flowers, a pair of white gates open onto a gravelled area, which fronts the house and provides parking for several cars.

The house, with its superb symmetry to the front and elements dating from before 1700, has a reassuringly relaxing but elegant feel with various additions being added over the centuries creating what is now a beautiful family home with very flexible accommodation. An outer hallway leads into a delightful reception hall which, with its substantial wood burner and beautifully burnished paneling, makes for a fabulous entertaining space. A bright elegant drawing room, with a set of French doors leading out to the gardens, is set to one side of the hallway with sash floor to ceiling windows, framing the attractive open fireplace. With timber floors, exposed beams and pale painted paneling, this large, yet cosy room, gives a faintly Scandinavian feel providing a perfect place for family suppers or indeed entertaining on a grand scale. There is a useful cloakroom on the ground floor with an outer lobby offering ample space to store outdoor wear.

Overlooking the rear of the property is a bright and airy well-fitted study, a quietly located space for those who wish to work from home. There is also a doorway that leads through to the sitting room in the annexe, should one wish to integrate the annexe back into the main house.

Adjacent is a substantial utility room with an original dresser with fitted cupboards and a butler’s sink. There is separate access to the rear of the property and driveway – the perfect place to bring the dogs in after their daily exercise!

The kitchen/breakfast room, with its vaulted ceilings and a rich red quarry tiled floor, is located at the rear of the house with a comprehensive range of wooden cupboards including a pantry style alcove providing ample storage. There is a useful island unit too, ideal for food preparation. From an inner lobby, there is access down to a cellar, which provides storage space and shelving for a wine collection.

On the first floor, in the main part of the house, there are a total of six well-proportioned bedrooms. The principal bedroom features an en suite bathroom and a separate dressing area. A delightful guest room with a range of fitted wardrobes and delightful window seat providing views over the gardens, has a well presented fitted en suite bathroom which also serves as a family bathroom. There is also access from the first floor landing into the adjacent annexe, if required.

Annexe
Although this annexe can be accessed directly from the main house from both the ground and first floors, it is currently arranged as a separate dwelling with a sitting room, kitchen, bathroom and two/three bedrooms. Access is via the rear of Weston Bury and via the rear driveway. This would make an ideal home for those seeking multigenerational living or an Au-Pair.

Formal lawned gardens, interspersed by beautiful mature trees including a spectacular Indian Bean tree, lead to a well-stocked orchard and a meandering pathway leads to a lightly wooded spinney and the tennis court. The tennis court is set behind a high chain link fence on three sides with a plexiturf carpet surface. This is overlooked at the entrance by a beautiful pavilion with an attractive stone terrace in front; a fabulous venue for summer tennis tournaments with great entertaining space for banquets or barbeques.

There is an extensive range of brick-built stables arranged around a gated courtyard with eight loose boxes and a separate pony stall. Access leads from the courtyard directly onto a bridleway which links into a vast interconnecting network including The Old Roman Road, perfect for hacking or simply walking the dog. Along a track leading from the stables there is an all-weather manege next to the paddocks providing an ideal training and exercise arena.

A further range of outbuildings, including a double garage, can be found including a very useful independent home office with fabulous views. With the necessary consents these buildings could be further developed.

Location

Mileages approx:
Hitchin 7.7 miles - Stevenage 5.3 miles - Baldock 3.5 miles - Cambridge 26 miles - A1M Junction 8, 5 miles

Weston is a delightful village with a strong community spirit and is located within three miles of junction 8 of the A1(M) providing onward access to the M25 and greater motorway network. The village has a local convenience store/post office which enjoys an excellent reputation. There is a gem of a village pub serving 'pizzas and pints’ with a local’s bar, pavilion restaurant and beer garden, with families, muddy boots and dogs all made very welcome. There is a village school and nursery within half a mile of the house catering for children up to 11 years of age.

For more substantial daily shopping there is a large branch of Tesco at Baldock at under three and a half miles. The elegant Georgian priory town of Hitchin with its market square and independent shops is well worth a visit and also has a large branch of both Waitrose and Sainsburys.

Alternative schooling is available at Hitchin with Kingshott School, Hitchin Boys and Hitchin Girls Schools, St Christophers at Letchworth and further afield schooling is available at Cambridge with the Perse and the Leys school and the popular Hills Road College for sixth form.
There is a comprehensive commuter train service from Baldock to Kings Cross and Cambridge taking as little as 23 minutes respectively, and with a useful Thameslink service to London Gatwick Airport and Brighton.
For leisure there is the popular Chesfield Downs Golf and Country Club at Graveley less than three miles away. There are a variety of clubs to join in the village itself and for those seeking to enjoy the countryside a network of bridleways and footpaths lead from the driveway of the house providing the opportunity to explore to your heart’s content.

Square Footage: 5,146 sq ft


Acreage: 16.4 Acres

Additional Info

Services
Mains water, electricity and drainage. Oil fired central heating.

Easements, Wayleaves and Rights of Way
The property is offered for sale subject to any public or private rights of way and all easements and wayleaves, referred to in these particulars or not.

Council Tax Band H