5 bedroom detached house for sale

‘Naturally relaxing, comfortably contemporary, with an attached business included.'
Welcome to Keepers Cottage

Countryside views

Keepers Cottage is a large house in a delightful country setting that offers privacy, style and historical connections within the charming Leicestershire village of Kirkby Mallory. The villagers of Kirkby Mallory in 1485 may have been within earshot when King Richard III passed by on his way to the Battle of Bosworth Field but certainly it is recorded in 1541 that the village was part of the 4,000 acre estate owned by Thomas Harvey, a supporter of King Henry VIII. By 1666, the Noel family had built the manor house at Kirkby Mallory and the estate was renowned for its large park, stocked with fine trees and deer. Keepers Cottage was the home of subsequent estate gamekeepers and presents as a property that has been nurtured into the present. If you are looking for a new home immersed in the natural charm of its rural surroundings, complimented with the spacious luxury of a renovated, modernised and extended five bedroomed house, Keepers Cottage offers all of this and so much more.

Mallory Meadows

The purchase of Keepers Cottage provides a very special business. Within the two and a half acres of land, six glamping lodges - two round houses and four timber framed cabins - have been constructed. They offer self-contained, luxurious holiday retreats known as Mallory Meadows and the present owners have successfully maximised the presence of a public footpath within their grounds to present a gateway for those yearning to explore the seclusion, relaxation and peace of the English countryside. Within each separate luxury unit there is room for a king sized bed, kitchenette, shower room and private decking or patio area with a hot tub; all fitted to a high specification. The development of Mallory Meadows has provided the present owners with a lucrative and successful business, and presently bookings are being taken up to the end of the year.

Privacy maintained

The private grounds are entered from Barwell Road. A wide, winding gravel drive leads past the retreats, neatly bordered by individual posts that illuminate the drive after dark. The imposing white rendered residence at the furthest point is Keepers Cottage. Nestled amongst native trees, the property is impressively pleasing to the eye and is reminiscent of a large country farmhouse. The drive sweeps round to the side and back of the house, where there are two double garages and ample space for turning and parking.

The tour begins

Keepers Cottage is foremost a home that has been maintained to reflect its unique history while being enjoyed for its versatility, space and convenience. By entry through the porch, the first room is currently being used as a reception and office space for the business. It has exposed darkened beams, a rustic fireplace and an open plan design that leads out into the hallway, shower room and links to the separate study next door. From immediate entry the neutrality of the colour scheme and choice of materials, fixtures, and fittings sets the quality and character of the overall property that is coordinated throughout the residence, even the separate study is supplied with its own hobbit multi fuel log burner and bare brick fireplace. There are medium oak, hard wood floors and a carpeted staircase within these rooms and fitted bespoke shelving , complimenting original feature cupboards.

The hall merges into the dining room and the open plan perspective continue. Here the dining room and living room have been stylishly decorated to incorporate contemporary and original features: oak flooring, chrome accessories, modern lighting and underfloor heating. The first two rooms share a multi fuel log burner that is exposed in the hearths of both brick chimney breasts. These interlinking rooms effortlessly combine to offer space for larger scale entertaining without compromising the integrity of the original property. With the kitchen close by and French doors opening out onto the private patio with retractable electrical awning, the area is perfect for social gatherings or parties. At the furthest end of the property, the spacious sunroom is exactly as its name suggests, a room of windows and light, with views into the garden and beyond.

The hot spot!

The spacious kitchen is full of character and traditional charm. An Aga and central table amidst a wealth of oak cupboards and swathe of worktops establish a distinctive farmhouse feel to this lovely but practical room. The kitchen and adjoining utility room, as you would expect in this distinctive property, has built in, high quality appliances – freezer, fridge, electric oven and induction hob - seamlessly combined together in polished, contemporary cabinetry. The contrasting tiles on the floor and walls, the rustic brick chimney, the internal doors - reminiscent of stable doors and equipped with black ironmongery - all work together to make this kitchen a delight.

Blissful bedrooms and bathing

On the ground floor, mention has already been made of the shower room facilities. Upstairs, a large landing leads to the primary bedroom that has a luxurious ensuite, with shower, while bedroom three has the second ensuite, with bath. As with all the bathing facilities in this beautifully maintained property, the quality and specification of all the fixtures and fittings – large family bathroom, shower room or separate ensuite - is of a high standard and stylishly contemporary. There are five large carpeted bedrooms in total. All bedrooms benefit from countryside views and some are fitted with wardrobes, providing ample storage for the needs of each occupant. Characteristic oak internal doors and black ironmongery continue to provide character and show attention to the echoes of the past.

The gardens

Keepers Cottage has a walled garden with different landscaped areas offering sun or shade seekers relaxing privacy, while children are safely enclosed or able to play on the lawn. Whether walking under the arches of wisteria blooms by day or waiting for the appearance of the protected species of creatures – bats and badgers – by night, the grounds offer seclusion, peace and bespoke features such as the memorial to a previous resident. The distance and careful arrangement of mature trees, shrubs and paths prevent any mutually intrusive element limiting the beauty of the surroundings for either residents of Keepers Cottage or guests using the rural retreats: a winning situation for all concerned.

We have not finished yet

Keepers Cottage is equipped with CCTV and has an alarm system. One of the two double garages is fitted with solar panels and houses the laundry room and linen store. There is also a large shed that offers additional, secure storage.

The locality

Kirkby Mallory is a village in central England, a region referred to as the East Midlands. It is situated approximately 8 miles west of Leicester’s city centre and approximately 30 miles south of Nottingham. It is in the LE9 postcode district and falls within the local authority of Hinkley and Bosworth. It is in the constituency of Bosworth and the electoral division of Newbold Verdon, with Desford and Peckleton.

The A47 is predominantly the village’s link road to Kirby Muxloe and the M1 (junction 21, west towards Leicester Forest East). The A447 links to Hinkley and the M69 at Nuneaton. The M42 is south, heading towards Tamworth.

There are railway stations in Hinckley , Narborough and Leicester, where the Midland Main Railway Line runs trains to London – Leicester to St Pancras - regularly. There are normally 70 trains running daily, to London, the fastest taking approximately an hour. From Hinkley, trains run from Nuneaton to London Euston.

Kirkby Mallory maintains all the charm and features associated with a rural location and several amenities including public houses in the village or close by: Kirkby House is on Church Road, the Windmill Inn is on Brascote Lane, Newbold Verdon , and the Dog and Gun can be found on Keats Lane in Earl Shilton. Many serve meals and some provide a takeaway service.

The village has a general store on Church Street and the village hall is located in a building that was once the village school, The Old Schoolroom, also on Church Street. The local parish church is All Saints. Burbage Common Woods is a popular place for a ramble and likewise Market Bosworth’s Country Park. Mallory Park is a well-known motor racing circuit that hosts a variety of other events such as family cycling fun days.

Kirkby Mallory is within a short car journey of the towns of Hinkley and Market Bosworth. These towns offer a variety of amenities such as edge of town super stores or uniquely bespoke shops, restaurants, sports venues, public houses, cafes and parks. For an even greater variety of entertainment including theatres, the cosmopolitan city of Leicester with its diverse cultural influences is on hand.

Within the locality, there are many schools offering educational provision across the whole age range; nursery, primary, secondary, including private establishments offering bordering facilities. The Office for Standards in Education - OFSTED – is best researched to provide a comprehensive review of currently rated standards of practice.