3 bedroom detached house

Stunning one storey home with biodiverse garden and exceptional natural light.

Description

Designed by the acclaimed architect Meredith Bowles of Mole Architects in 2010, this exceptional house is a multi-award-winning property, located on Madingley Road in the western section of Cambridge's Conservation Area and boasts over 2,460 sq ft of living space, occupying a quiet and secluded position.

The house follows a single storey L-shaped plan, built around an internal south-facing garden that features a rare Liquidambar tree at its centre. The design places emphasis on energy efficiency, natural materials and sustainable modern living. Located on the western edge of Cambridge, the house is nestled among gardens filled with trees and concealed from view by a brick gatehouse extension that provides private off-street parking as well as a useful garage, workshop and storage space. The construction of the house has been built to minimise any disturbance to the existing trees, which are protected by a tree preservation order.

The house features a timber frame, clay blocks for thermal mass, glulam beams for roof support and heat recovery ventilation to ensure excellent energy efficiency. Other environmentally friendly features include rainwater harvesting, a solar collector for hot water, a ground source heat pump for underfloor heating, and low energy lighting throughout.

Upon entering the house through the main entrance hall, a sunny corridor grants access to all areas and maintains a direct line of sight to the garden. The open-plan kitchen and dining room adjoin the internal garden courtyard, while an interconnected utility space, pantry store, and a study complete this wing of the house. The library corridor with comfortable window seats and wonderful walnut flooring leads to the large open-plan living space, with a prominent log-burner serving as a focal point in the room and a combination of clerestory glazing and timber-framed glass walls invite an abundance of natural light into the room.

The well-proportioned bedrooms are furnished with exceptional built-in storage and offer views of secluded courtyards. Two of these bedrooms grant direct access to the garden and the main bedroom features a capacious en suite bathroom with a picturesque garden view. A second study with triple-aspect provides excellent opportunities for home working or as an additional bedroom.

The outdoor area is a vibrant tribute to the local wildlife, thriving with diverse flora and fauna. It boasts a nature pond that allures ducks, birds, butterflies, and dragonflies, as well as the garden studio which provides great versatility of usage.

Location

Madingley Road is situated on the western side of the city, approximately 1 mile away from the historical city center.

There is great access to excellent schooling options in both the state and private sectors, such as St John's and King's College prep schools, and Newnham Croft Primary School.

For daily shopping, Newnham offers a small supermarket and a butcher, while Histon Road provides further options, and the city itself offers comprehensive shopping including The Grafton Centre and Grand Arcade shopping malls, as well as the bustling daily market.

There are pleasant walking paths leading towards the River Cam, including the beautiful Granchester Meadows. Cambridge is renowned globally for its prestigious university and stunning historic architecture, but it is also gaining recognition as a hub for international businesses due to its expanding technology and science sectors.

Commuters have access to Cambridge railway station, located approximately 2.5 miles away, with fast and frequent train services to London's Kings Cross and Liverpool Street stations. Additionally, the M11 (Junction 13) leading to London is situated close by, just beyond Madingley Park & Ride.

Please note that all distances and times are approximate.

Square Footage: 2,451 sq ft