Old Vicarage

The present vendors have carefully conserved the fabulous original features and have raised their family here over the last 32 years, enjoying the active village community and access to the wonderful landscape, including the Dove & Manifold Valleys.
A vicarage is mentioned as far back as 1609. The well-known 17th century author Charles Cotton was born nearby. The village benefits from a village hall as the Hub of a lively community, together with an active cricket club and a well-known public house "The George".

This Grade II listed property has a wonderful Georgian front elevation facing south over the garden and grounds with distant views, featuring rusticated ashlar quoins and dressings, together with original sash windows with shuttered reveals, and an amazing decorative ceiling to the study.
Whilst part of the original building, the accommodation now also comprises a self-contained kitchen cottage with two bedrooms, which has historically been Let and has permission to do, could be incorporated within the main property or used as a great holiday home.

Six-panelled entrance door leads into an enclosed lobby with WC/cloakroom off and half glazed double doors with inset etched glass opening into the splendid reception hall which features a wonderful Georgian staircase having lovely turned handrail and balustrade, plus useful storage cupboards below and ceiling cornice work.

The three principal reception rooms all enjoy a southerly aspect overlooking the garden, Church and countryside beyond. One of which comprises a delightful sitting room which was an 1828 extension to the original Vicarage and boasts a particularly high ceiling with decorative cornice, fireplace having inset with log burner, sash window having shuttered reveals, and French door with shutters opening out onto the garden. The attractive bookcase within this room is available if desired.

There is a separate dining room/office with a wonderfully decorative ceiling having dentil cornice work, plus a south facing sash window with shuttered reveals and a 19th century fitted cupboard and bookcase. Lastly, a fireplace houses the log burner.

Adjacent to this is a further, separate reception room which is currently used as a dining/family room and has two south facing sash windows with shuttered reveals and a Hopton stone fire surround with large solid fuel stove inset.

The contemporary kitchen was refitted circa 2007 by Creative Interiors of Derby, having an attractive range of base and wall units with granite worktops, inset oil-fired Aga within a tiled recess, together with stainless-steel twin inset sink and mixer tap having tiled splashbacks. NEFF appliances include dishwasher, fan oven, and microwave/combination oven, plus fridge freezer and a two-ring ceramic hob. Engineered oak flooring runs throughout, in addition to a sash/shuttered window to the side and fitted ceiling Wi-Fi speakers.
To the rear of the kitchen is a scullery/utility having a range of base and wall units with roll-edge work surfaces over, a stainless-steel sink with mixer tap and tiled splashbacks, cupboard housing the oil-fired central heating Worcester boiler, plus window and door to the rear. Engineered oak flooring again runs throughout, and there is space and plumbing for an automatic washing machine, as well as a dryer.
From here, steps lead down to a very useful two-bay cellarage with stone thralls and brick flooring.

From the hallway is a rear passage which used to be the servant's hallway having secondary stairs off with cupboard below and a further side passage leading to a rear porch and the adjacent log store.

The wonderful Georgian staircase ascends and turns to the first-floor landing, having an attractive handrail and balustrade. Off the main landing and, again facing south are the three principal bedrooms, comprising a master bedroom having two south facing windows with panelled reveals, plus a range of fitted wardrobes and shelving. Off this, is an ensuite bathroom including panelled bath in tiled surround, plus a shower with glazed enclosure and thermostatic power shower, a bidet and fitted units with wash hand basin and WC. There are also two heated towel rails. A door returns from the bathroom to the landing, providing a Jack & Jill feature.

Bedroom two is also spacious, having fitted wardrobes and south facing window. Bedroom three has further fitted wardrobes and two south facing windows with panelled reveals affording lovely views of the adjacent St. Peters Church, the garden and countryside beyond.

These rooms are served by a bathroom and separate cloakroom WC, together with a walk-in airing cupboard housing the hot water cylinder and shelving. Access to the loft is via the landing.

An inner landing has servant stairs which return to the ground floor, as well as bathroom three which comprises a panelled bath in tiled surround with pedestal wash hand basin and WC, separate tiled shower unit with glazed enclosure, and a useful fitted cupboard.
Adjacent to this is bedroom four, having built-in cupboards and lovely westerly facing views.
Bedroom five has a cottage-style ceiling with fitted bookshelves.
Bedroom six is equipped with a contemporary kitchenette; having fitted cupboards with worktop, inset sink with mixer tap, fridge and microwave. This would be ideal for a live-in Au pair, child minder, or independent teenager.

Within the main body of the property is a separate, self-contained kitchen cottage which has historically been Let on a shorthold tenancy. This comprises of entrance hall with pine double doors leading to an inner hall, bedroom, shower room, a sitting room/kitchen with units, oven, and fridge, together with an oil-fired combination boiler.
Off here is a further bedroom with exposed stone feature.
The cottage is separately metered and has its own council tax and therefore could be Let independently.

The Old Vicarage is approached via a shared driveway shared with the Vicarage, bounded by stone walling, and the driveway leads to ample parking spaces also enclosed by stone walling leading to a large double garage.
There is a courtyard garden to the kitchen cottage and further pathway leading to the main front of the house which is adjacent to the Church. The property stands in approximately 1.09 acres of beautifully landscaped south-facing gardens having extensive stone terrace, plus lawns and an adjacent paddock. Within the grounds is a fascinating, original 18th century icehouse.

Agents Notes:
-The property is Grade II Listed.
-The property is situated within a conservation area.
-Drainage is via a cesspit.
-There is oil-fired central heating (no mains gas connected)
Tenure: Freehold (purchasers are advised to satisfy themselves as to the tenure via their legal representative).
Services: Mains water and electricity are believed to be connected to the property but purchasers are advised to satisfy themselves as to their suitability.
Useful Websites:
Our Ref: JGA/16012023 Local Authority/Tax Band: Staffordshire Moorlands District Council / Tax Band D

To arrange a viewing of this wonderful home and a rare opportunity, please contact John German in Ashbourne.


Marketed by: John German, Ashbourne