Fir Tree Lodge is a distinctive and spacious property. When viewing from Ashby Lane this house is noticeably set back from the road and bordered by brick walls, hedges and established trees.

This open aspect supports the generous sweep of garden that surrounds the property amounting to 0.3 acres of land. A wide drive to the side of the house is large enough for several vehicles and is shaped for ease of turning and access to the house. The lodge is impressively wide and overlooks an expanse of lawn to the front: this is a bespoke residence.
From the driveway, the size and style of the property can really be appreciated. The house is white rendered, with a grey slate roof and several chimneys. It has been designed and extended to take advantage of the width of the plot and has a most original style, reminiscent of a colonial property with a covered veranda to the front.

This detached residence with its highly prized location has five bedrooms, two large reception rooms, a breakfast kitchen with walk in pantry and two bathrooms. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone seeking to purchase a new home offering individuality and style. It is positioned on the edge of the village of Bitteswell, South Leicestershire, and is within a short distance from the market town of Lutterworth.

Let’s go inside.

The covered veranda provides weather proofing and a special feature along the front of the house. From the drive there is unhindered access to all areas. Passing the French windows of the living room, the property is entered through a half glazed front door. This has a multi coloured, stained glass panel within and a matching glass panel to the side. The entrance hall is welcoming, light and airy. The house alarm linked to the monitoring centre is positioned here. A neutrally coloured carpet sweeps along the hall, into the adjoining reception rooms and continues upstairs. The staircase itself is particularly distinctive and beautifully simple, featuring darkened stained oak. This characteristic will feature repeatedly throughout the property on both floors, often with exposed dark beams, matching skirting boards, deep window ledges and contrasting white paintwork. This creates a spacious, fresh but traditional feel within the interior.

The reception rooms in this house have multi aspect, double glazed windows, taking full advantage of the width of the plot and the surrounding grounds. The separate dining room is immediately to the right from the hall and has windows on three sides. This room is flooded with light and could easily be used as a snug, office, playroom, or study, especially as there is a generous breakfast kitchen across the hall.

Inviting and practical.

In the large open kitchen, a double oven Aga takes centre stage. It has a traditional pan and airing rack hanging from the ceiling above. Surrounding the Aga, there is ample storage within sage coloured floor and wall cupboards. Coordinating worktops on all sides provide a generous space for food preparation. Neutral shaded floor and wall tiles contrast against the sage coloured cabinetry and through a separate door, a walk-in pantry provides a further bonus for storage. In addition to the Aga, the kitchen is fitted with an integrated double oven, convection hob and extractor hood, fridge freezer, dishwasher and stainless-steel sink. There is a liberal amount of space to place a separate table and chairs for informal dining,
overlooking the garden through a large window to the rear. Tucked out of sight and behind a further utility space, a door leads to the side of the property for easy access to the garden.
If we return to the hall, the first door to the right is a cloakroom with a two-piece suite. There are two such cloakrooms on the ground floor. The second is approached through a small hall from the living room. All washing and bathing facilities in this property, without exception, have been resourced and maintained to a high standard and comprise of traditional white sanitary ware.

Relaxation and garden views.

The living room is certainly impressive, with multi views to front and rear, a large bay window and French windows. It is generously sized and can easily accommodate large pieces of lounge furniture. The focal point is the commanding chimney breast housing a top of the range multi fuel burner under a wooden mantel. The exposed beams compliment the classical simplicity of the interior scheme. An opaque glass paned door to the right leads to the second staircase and utility area.

This utility area has been designed to practically cater for all laundry needs and incorporates a washing machine and tumble drier, with a sink and storage facilities. It is completely out of sight of the living room - being tucked behind the chimney breast- serving as a lobby with second staircase and side door to the garden. This allows access to the first floor without necessarily entering the other parts of the house. The second staircase has a Velux window in the slanted roof and leads to a glass door opening onto the landing above.

To sleep, to dream.

There are five bedrooms. They are all well maintained, generously sized and many have integral wardrobes. There are distinctive attributes to each including such features as a fireplace and exposed ceiling beams. The primary bedroom has a complete wall of wardrobe space, with views looking out to the front of the property. The rooms are all within a few steps across a hall or landing, to one of the two family bathrooms. One bathroom has a shower over the bath, bidet, toilet and vanity unit, the other has a walk-in shower plus a bath. Due to this arrangement, one or more of the rooms could easily become a guest suite and presently the owners use one of them as an upstairs sitting room.

To conclude

This property is certainly an individual. It is bespoke and is in a popular location. Being impressively spacious, further expansion or alteration is potentially viable, especially as the plot is particularly wide.

The present owners are not in a chain.

LOCALITY

The village of Bitteswell is in a region known as the East Midlands, in the southern portion of the county of Leicestershire. The Midlands are essentially central to everything in England and there is easy access to airports, motorways, and train stations. Both Birmingham and East Midlands airports are approximately 30 minutes away, London is approximately 90 miles away and it is possible to visit the seaside for a day trip, by road or train. The mainline railway stations of Rugby and Market Harborough are easily accessible with fast trains to Euston and St Pancras respectively. There are normally 70 trains running daily to London, the fastest taking only 48 minutes. The M1, M69 and M6 maximise the potential for travel by road from this central location.

Bitteswell is in the LE17 postcode district and is a civil parish with Bittesby. It falls within the district council of Harborough and is within easy reach of larger towns such as Lutterworth, Rugby, Market Harborough, Uppingham, Oakham and Hinckley. These larger towns all provide a variety of amenities such as edge of town super stores, leisure facilities or uniquely bespoke shops.

The original village of Bitteswell was recorded in the Domesday Book as Betmeswelle and derived its name from the meaning of ‘spring or stream in the broad valley’. Bitteswell maintains all the charm and features associated with a rural location. The parish church, St Mary’s Church of England, is grade II listed and can trace its original foundations back to the 14th century. The village can boast of two war memorials, a village telephone box and green. It is known for RAF Bitteswell, an airfield used during World War II. The Hawker Siddeley Aviation Company also had a factory close by where Vulcan bombers were built and maintained.

Bitteswell provides the perfect location from which to access wider open spaces, with nature reserves and bridal paths within easy reach. The area provides facilities for those who are keen to become involved with tennis, rugby, golf, or cricket. There are two local public houses, The Man at Arms, and the Olde Royal Oak, both serving food and a range of locally produced ales.

There is a local primary school, St Mary’s Church of England Primary School but over a wider area there are several educational options, nursery, primary and secondary. There are also private establishments in the county offering bordering facilities. The Office for Standards in Education - OFSTED – is best researched to provide a comprehensive review of currently rated standards of practice. The last published report showed a rating of ‘Outstanding’.