When the current owner of Vale Farmhouse first laid eyes on the beautiful old house she discovered an abundance of exceptional features and a wealth of original character. “We first saw the picture of it when it was advertised and was drawn to its gorgeous red brickwork and massive chimneys,” she recalls. “It was a classic old English farmhouse and I could just imagine what it would be like to live here. When we came to see it, we discovered it had a secret staircase for the servants to use and a lovely courtyard. There were even features such as large hooks in the laundry room that were probably once used for hanging meat and wonderful wooden shutters on the windows of the main reception rooms downstairs.”

INTERIOR DESIGN

Dating back to somewhere between 1825 and 1875, and set in 2.4 acres of land, the impressive property was once a working farmhouse. Since moving in nine years ago, the current owner has transformed it. They have worked their way through the entire house, renovating it, redecorating it and giving it their own unique touches, all with an eye to retaining its original character where possible. “We really have put our heart and soul into it,” she admits. “In addition to replacing the windows, the boiler, the kitchen and the bathroom, we have installed two new wood burners and redecorated throughout. I am passionate about interior design and wanted to create rooms that emanate warmth as soon as you walk into them. We wanted this is to be somewhere you walk into and immediately feel your shoulders relaxing.”

BEAUTIFUL SPACES

Vale Farmhouse is entered via a lobby and then the reception hall. “All the entrances have inner and outer doors, which is great for security or if you have dogs,” she says. To the front of the house are the two main reception rooms, each with a working wood burner. One of these would traditionally be the drawing room and the other the dining room, but the current owner has one arranged as a yoga studio. “These are gorgeous rooms, both painted liked the rest of the house in wonderful Farrow & Ball shades. The drawing room is a fabulous place to relax in the winter – you can just light the wood burner and close the shutters and it is lovely.”

MAGNIFICENT KITCHEN

Also downstairs, is the original kitchen, with the secret staircase. This room is currently used as a snug but could also be ideal as a study. There is a downstairs cloakroom, laundry, and two more entrances – and the exquisite, bespoke kitchen. “We had this handmade, in wood, because of the high ceilings,” she explains. “It is painted in a deep blue, with pure white Caesar stone worksurfaces that are very hard wearing. We choose foxed mirror tiles that were made to size and reflect the light. In the kitchen there is also a large pantry, with LED lighting that comes on when you open the door, and more foxed mirroring behind.” There is ample space for a table and banquette seating, and French windows open on to the garden. “This is one of our favourite rooms,” she admits.

LUXURIOUS TOUCHES

All five generously sized bedrooms are on the first floor, together with the capacious family bathroom, with its opulent, central, freestanding bath. “This is very decadent, but we wanted to be able to lie in it without a cushion – and for it to be long and deep,” she says. “This room is so large, there is also ample space for a double shower.” The master bedroom has an en suite shower room. “This room is also absolutely stunning,” she admits. “It exudes luxury in every corner and is a wonderful place to wake up in. It looks out to the front of the house and we have beautiful views of a couple of trees, with green and intense maroon leaves, and in the spring, they burst into blossom.”

NATURAL WORLD

The owner will miss everything about Vale Farmhouse when she leaves. “It is so peaceful. We see deer, birds including kestrels and owls, and we had blue tits nesting in the courtyard. Yet, at the same time, it is also so convenient for getting into Milton Keynes, Bedford or London. There are great road connections and it is just 12 minutes to the station. The village of Lidlington, with its shop, is about one mile away and Marston Moretaine, with more shops and local facilities, is about one and a half miles from the house.” She adds: “This is a lovely home and it has been such a very happy place. We will be very sad to leave.”

SETTING THE SCENE

Vale Farmhouse is set in 2.4 acres of land with great potential. Farm buildings, including a large barn, which (subject to the relevant planning permissions) could hold potential for conversion to additional accommodation or work or leisure space. There are also two cabins, with electricity, within the grounds, as well as dog kennels. The expansive grounds are now largely open, but new owners could fence them off to create a paddock for a pony or a field for livestock, should they require it. “There are all kinds of possibilities here,” says the owner. “I used to run painting courses from the cabins and the barn, which has a workshop, has been used for several business purposes too.” There is a beautiful courtyard, with entertaining area, which has been great for parties, and a summerhouse.