4 bedroom equestrian property for sale

Period farmhouse in about 2.44 acres with over 7,000 sq ft of stables, workshops and barns, offering great potential for conversion into residential units, subject to planning consent

Description

Old Greenend Farm is situated on the edge of the village of Kensworth in a semi rural setting. The property has about 2.44 acres and in addition to the pretty Grade II listed farmhouse there are substantial outbuildings, including stabling, workshops and barns extending to about 7214 sq ft. English Heritage describe the house as "probably” dating from the 16th century, though it was extended in the early 19th century and has a brick inscribed with the date 1827. Internally the property is well presented with fine period features including fireplaces, beams and flooring. Arranged around a courtyard the buildings have been in use for a number of years as part of an equestrian business defined as the keeping, storage, maintenance and hire of horse carriages. The buildings would suit a variety of commercial or leisure uses, but also represent an opportunity for conversion to residential use subject to obtaining the appropriate planning consents.

The property is set back from the road behind a gated forecourt parking area. The entrance hall has one of the two staircases and gives access to a family room with log burner, snug and sitting room with inglenook fireplace. This leads through to an inner hallway/boot room with door to side, guest cloakroom and a utility room. The hallway leads on to a substantial dining room which has the second staircase which leads to a galleried landing around a double height void which gives the room real presence. The kitchen breakfast room is fitted with wood faced cabinets and has a peninsular breakfast bar, gas range oven, wine fridge and fridge freezer. There is also a good size cellar accessed by staircase from the main hallway.

The main staircase leads up to the vaulted landing with exposed floorboards and pretty beams. This gives access to the second bedroom with high ceiling and an en suite shower room. Bedroom three and the family bathroom are also located at this end of the house and with bedroom four situated in the middle of the house. This room has doors to the main landing and also can be accessed from the other side from the galleried landing which also leads to on the main bedroom suite with bedroom, lobby and en suite bathroom.

To the front of the property there is 60 ft long barn abutting the parking area and a lawned garden on the other side along the road boundary. Gated vehicular access by the side of the house leads to a courtyard formed by the house and a very substantial stabling block, workshops and an 1800 sq ft agricultural barn. The centre of the courtyard is lawned. There is a patio garden to the rear of the house and a further cottage garden to the side. Behind the courtyard is the rest of the land which totals about 4.3 acres and is mainly laid to meadow. There is another agricultural barn and a second vehicular access to Common Road.

There are a number of other recently converted and new build “farmyard” or “courtyard” developments within the local area, including conversion of Grade II listed buildings. There is reason to believe that the situation of the buildings at Old Greenend Farm may well allow for similar permission to be granted, subject of course to the appropriate planning consents being granted. Planning consent for the conversion of the front barn into lecturing facilities and ancillary accommodation. Planning reference SB/97/00043

Location

Mileages Approx: Luton Parkway station 7.5 miles, Harpenden mainline station 10 miles, M1 junction 10 - 5 miles, M25 junction 21A - 15 miles, St Albans - 12 miles, Milton Keynes - 22 miles, central London 34 miles.

The parish of Kensworth, lies in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and was originally located in Hertfordshire, although transferred to Bedfordshire in 1897. Today, the village contains a lower school, a village hall, two churches, two convenience shops and one pub. Kensworth village is approximately a 10 minute drive from the M1 and approximately 15 minutes from London Luton Airport. For those needing to commute to London via rail, Thameslink railway line can be found at Luton Parkway and Harpenden, both offering fast and frequent services into St Pancras International in about 32 and 22 minutes respectively. Close by are the renowned Dunstable Downs, which is a National Trust site with stunning far reaching views over Bedfordshire/Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Close by is the world renowned Whipsnade Park Zoo and the National Trust Ashridge Estate with its four thousand acres of wonderful woodlands and downland.

There is an excellent choice of schools, both private and state, in Harpenden, Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead. Other schools include Beechwood Park Preparatory School and slightly further afield, the St Albans Schools for Girls and Boys. Major shopping amenities can be found in Harpenden, Berkhamsted, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead.

Square Footage: 3,688 sq ft


Acreage: 2.44 Acres