Rooms

About the House cont'd
The property has a plot of 4.16 acres of mature gardens and paddocks and is surrounded by open countryside creating a tranquil rural oasis. This peace is combined with the convenience of being only about 30 minutes’ walk or 5 minutes’ drive from amenities in Long Marston or Wingrave. For a wider range of amenities including commuter trains to London, the property is only 3.8 miles from Cheddington, 6 miles from Tring and just over 7 miles from Leighton Buzzard.

History and Heritage
The property is a former farm and outbuildings which have been converted into a country house. The oldest part, the kitchen/dining room, dates from circa 1743 and the main house was built in the 1850s. A two storey extension was added in 2005 which created the sitting room on the ground floor and two first floor bedrooms. The vendors have lived in the property for about 4 years and have undertaken a refurbishment programme which included replacing all 47 windows with hardwood timber framed double glazed units, replacing all the lights and bringing the electrical system up to the current code, and replacing all the internal doors with new bespoke oak, latch and brace doors in keeping with the period of the property.

Ground Floor
The wooden front door opens into a stone tiled entrance hall which has two windows to the front, a built-in log store, and space for coats and shoes. The inner hall has a two piece cloakroom and access to the kitchen/dining room and the family room.

Principal Reception Rooms
The family room has wood flooring, a ceiling beam and a feature fireplace which has a tiled hearth and a timber bressummer and houses a log burning stove. There are built-in cupboards in the chimney recesses either side. A step down from the family room leads to the light and airy sitting room which also has exposed wooded flooring and a ceiling beam. There are triple aspect windows overlooking the garden, a bay with built-in seating and double doors to the garden, and a range of bespoke built-in cupboards and display shelves spanning one wall.

Other Reception Rooms
A door from the family room leads to the TV room which has two windows to the side, wood flooring, exposed ceiling beams and a brick chimney breast with an open fire which is currently closed off but which could be reinstated to house a stove if desired. A feature arch from the family room leads to a vestibule with steps up to the study which has a window overlooking the front garden, and a range of bespoke built-in cupboards and shelves. A wall panel gives access to the electric controls for the property. The vestibule also has doors to a small wine cellar and a second cellar which has been fully lined and tanked. It is currently used for storage but it has a window for natural light and could be converted into a snug or playroom if required.

Kitchen/Dining Room
The impressive open plan kitchen/dining room has a high vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and A frames, triple aspect windows, including a bay with built-in window seat, and a part glazed stable door to a paved patio in the rear garden. The kitchen is fitted in a comprehensive range of bespoke Nicholas James full height, wall and base units including pan drawers, a shelved larder cupboard, and a large central island. The complementary work surfaces incorporate a double butler sink. There is a Falcon dual fuel range cooker which has double electric ovens, a grill and a five ring LPG gas hob with a Wok ring, and is set into a recess with a timber mantel over and a sparkle tiled splashback. Other integrated appliances include a dishwasher, a larder fridge, and a larder freezer. Stone flooring with underfloor heating continues into the dining area which has an L-shaped built-in storage bench, and space for a dresser unit and a table to seat ten.

Utility/Boot Room
The adjoining utility room has been fitted with a bespoke range of storage which includes full height cupboards, wall and base units, a built-in bench seat with coat hanging space, and a butler sink. There is space and plumbing for a washing machine and tumble dryer, and a window and part glazed door to the garden.

First Floor
The first floor landing has a window overlooking the front of the property, and a shelved airing cupboard.

Principal Bedroom Suite
The principal bedrooms is part of the 2005 extension and has dual aspect windows overlooking the rear garden and countryside beyond. There is a dressing room which has a comprehensive range of fitted drawers and wardrobes, and an en suite shower room which has panelling to dado height, patterned floor tiles, a walk-in shower, a wide washbasin and a WC.

Other Bedrooms and Bathrooms
There are three further bedrooms on the first floor, the smallest of which is currently used as a gym. The first floor bathroom has a bath inset into a tiled surround, a separate walk-in shower, and a concealed cistern WC and twin washbasins set into an array of vanity storage. There is feature exposed brickwork, additional shelved storage, and a wall cabinet. On the ground floor, accessed from the utility room, there is a spacious room, measuring over 17 ft by 15 ft. which was originally used as a gym but which is now used as a bed/sitting room. It has a high vaulted ceiling with exposed A frames, dual aspect windows to the front and rear, a door to the pool area, a built-in wardrobe and an en suite shower room which has a WC, walk-in shower, and a vanity washbasin. There is also access to the changing room and shower for the pool. It would be possible to convert this area into a self-contained annexe for extended family or staff if desired and subject to the necessary permissions.

Gardens and Grounds
The property is at the end of a private no through road surrounded by open countryside and farmland with numerous footpaths in the area. A gate leads to a long tree lined gravel drive which passes the paddocks, which are currently home to the families’ four sheep, and leads to an extensive gravel parking area with a turning circle in front of the house. There is also a detached double garage with twin sets of timber doors. The total plot extends to approximately 4.16 acres and includes a front garden which is lawned with trees interspersed and has a wildflower bank. The mature gardens continue around the rear and side of the house with sweeping lawns with an array of mature trees interspersed, herbaceous borders and flower beds and a feature arbour with raised beds planted with lavender and rose bushes. Mature hedges screen off an area behind the garage which houses a shed, the gas tank, and a compost area.

Gardens cont'd
There is also a natural pond which is fed by springs and attracts wildlife including deer. An iron fence borders the pond for safety, and also separates the garden from a footpath which has right of way across this corner of the property. An arch from the driveway leads to a new Japanese garden created by the vendors. A Japanese tea house provides a sheltered seating area overlooking this garden which has numerous Acer trees, stone pathways, and an ornamental pond with a stream and waterfall feature. The Japanese garden leads to an area with a number of raised beds which are currently used to grow flowers for cutting but which could alternatively be used for vegetables.

Swimming Pool
The swimming pool area is sheltered by a mature hedge on one side and has a pergola with climbing plants including wisteria on the other side. The pool has an integrated electric cover for insulation and safety and is surrounded by a stone terrace with ample space for seating and loungers. There is a changing room with a shower which can be accessed via the door into the ground floor bedroom. It should be noted that some pipework and the ground source heat pump which heats the pool need some repairs after damage in the severe winter weather.

Situation and Schooling
Long Marston is situated at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, and is surrounded by open countryside. Nearby attractions include the Grand Union Canal, Tring Reservoirs and Areas of Natural Beauty. There is an infant / primary school, a church, tennis club, pub and village hall, and the property is in catchment for Aylesbury grammar schools and Tring School. Tring (5.9 miles) has a range of social, shopping and sporting amenities, as does Aylesbury (8.1 miles), as well as mainline stations in both.