Rooms

SET IN STONE
It has been 11 years now since the couple first moved into Long Barn. Converted from stone agricultural buildings, believed to date back to around 1800, the property had a wealth of character that appealed to Melanie and John. “Part of Long Barn was originally a pigsty, with a hay loft above,” John explains. “They had to dig the floor out (as pigs don’t require much headroom!) and open it up in order to create the splendid, sunken drawing room we have today.” The single-storey, split-level property still presents many of its original barn features, with heavy oak beams, vaulted ceilings and exposed stonework. “It is quirky and yet it flows so well – these features also appealed to us when we first saw the barn,” Melanie recalls.

WHERE THE HEART IS
The heart of the house is the grand drawing room, which has a spiral staircase up to a mezzanine level leading to a family bathroom. This is currently an open family area but could easily become an additional bedroom. “The drawing room below is so large that we can easily welcome 80 or 90 people here for a celebration,” Melanie observes. “One of the many wonderful things about the barn is that it is empathetic for entertaining, as it can accommodate such a lot of people, and yet at the same time never feels too big.”

SUMMER SUN
Also ideal for entertaining, is the attractive kitchen breakfast room, which is well designed, with a central island and ample space for food storage and preparation. There is room for a breakfast table and French windows open on to the Mediterranean-style garden, making it ideal for summer barbecues and morning coffee. “The kitchen breakfast room also adjoins a dining room, where I can lay the buffet out if we have people here for a party,” she says. “There is such an easy flow between the different parts of the house and then out on to the garden. In total, we have five doors that open on to the garden, which is superb in the summer months.” With underfloor heating and air-conditioning, Long Barn is certainly a home for all seasons. “It is an extremely comfortable place to live,” she adds.

FLEXIBLE LIVING
One wing of the house accommodates the master bedroom and the guest room. Each of these has an en suite shower room and a walk-in wardrobe. Another room, which has the versatility to be a study, playroom or snug, could also be a third bedroom. This is close to a family shower room. “The accommodation here has been very well thought-out to suit a variety of different potential owners with different needs,” she says. “The room on the mezzanine is currently open but it would be simple to wall it in if someone wanted a fourth bedroom with more privacy.”

BEAUTIFUL LOCATION
With easy access to Milton Keynes and Northampton, as well as Hanslope, where there is a village shop and there are a couple of pubs, Long Barn offers convenience as well as country living. It is also well positioned for travelling to London by road or rail and is central for picking up motorways leading to other parts of the country. “We have found it very easy to get to everything we need,” says Melanie. “Yet at the same time, there are some lovely places to go walking close by. There are footpaths across the countryside from here and then we are just five minutes’ drive from Salcey Forest.” She adds: “This is a beautiful place to live – both the barn and the surroundings have been perfect for us in the time we have been here.”

SETTING THE SCENE
Long Barn nestles in a tranquil, rural location. It boasts a sun-soaked, Mediterranean-style garden that has been designed for low maintenance. There is a double garage, which has a boarded-out loft above.

Disclaimer
Chewton Rose Estate Agents is the seller's agent for this property. Your conveyancer is legally responsible for ensuring any purchase agreement fully protects your position. We make detailed enquiries of the seller to ensure the information provided is as accurate as possible. Please inform us if you become aware of any information being inaccurate.