5 bedroom house

This rarely available detached period property, dating back to the 17th Century with Victorian and modern additions, is situated in the sought-after village of Hemingford Abbots and is set in a plot, with river access and mooring, of approx. 0.45 acres.

The property has been updated and much improved by the current owners with versatile accommodation including a recently fitted kitchen appliances with island, a modern sitting room with views over the garden, exposed beams which have been stripped back, a large dining room and a formal sitting room with inglenook fireplace and wood burning stove which is situated in the centre of the home. There is also a good size study/snug.

Upstairs there are five bedrooms, with the spacious principal bedroom and the second bedroom both with en-suites. The remaining three bedrooms are all double rooms and are served by a good size family bathroom.

To the front of the property there are two separate driveways; one of which leads to the oversized double garage with scope to add an office or annexe above. The garden is mainly laid to lawn with a generous sized patio area and there is also access to the river with mooring.

Seller Insight

“It was the beautiful setting of West End Cottage which first caught our eye,” say the current owners of this detached Grade II listed property. “Set back from the lane in a plot of nearly half an acre, and with attractive Queen Anne gables, it has impressive kerb appeal. It is a traditional 17th century timber framed cottage with Victorian additions, which we have since modernised and extended to create a home with the perfect blend of old and new.”
“In the 20 years we have lived here, we have made a number of improvements to the property,” the owners continue, “from reroofing the whole house to sandblasting all the beams back to the original timber and revealing the old brickwork, now juxtaposed with contemporary décor. We have also extended the house with an additional bedroom with ensuite and added a large two-storey garage with annexe potential. Our favourite room is the large family room with its oak timbers and modern, airy style – with 7 windows, it is so full of light and proffers fantastic views of the garden. The family room flows into the kitchen to create a generous open plan space where we can all spend time together, or when welcoming family and friends.”
Indeed, this is the perfect property for everyday life and entertaining alike. “The house is set sideways, so the main living accommodation looks out over the garden rather than the lane,” say the owners, “providing a peaceful haven. The house comes alive when it is full of people – the whole extended family comes to us at Christmas because we have the most space and versatility and can seat everyone around the table in our large dining room. The old timber framed part of the house is wonderfully cosy with its old bread oven, inglenook and log burner, while the modern family room and kitchen is ideal for chatting while we prepare food, or for watching a festive film together on the big screen. In summer, the family room and kitchen open out onto the sunny terrace to create the perfect al fresco entertaining area, and we have hosted a number of children’s birthday parties in the large garden over the years. We have plenty of parking too, with ample room on our two driveways to accommodate all of our guests’ vehicles.”
The situation of the property has much to recommend it, too. “Nestled on the banks of the River Great Ouse, the house is set back from the river but has a path leading down to the water and our own private mooring,” the owners say. “The village of Hemingford Abbots itself is very picturesque, surrounded by meadowland and numerous walking and cycling trails. Despite the peaceful position of the property, we are within easy reach of local towns and centres, just three miles from the market towns of Huntingdon to the West and St Ives to the East, and a twenty-minute car journey from the historic city centre of Cambridge. I worked in Cambridge when we first moved here and commuting there has been made even easier by the recent A14 access into the city. For the last 15 years, I have worked in London, which is also extremely convenient, with the train station just a 5 minute drive from our front door.”
Village information

Hemingford Abbots is situated along the banks of the River Great Ouse and is well-known as a very picturesque and sought-after Cambridgeshire village. Much of the village is in a Conservation Area with many thatched cottages and barns and other architecturally important buildings such as the Manor House, Old Rectory and Hemingford Park. The spire of the Grade I listed village church is a landmark for miles around the Ouse valley.

Hemingford Abbots has excellent facilities: across the road from the “Axe & Compass” pub is the purpose-built Village Hall and playing field. The playing field is large open grassland and is equipped with modern children’s play equipment. The village shares many facilities with neighbouring Hemingford Grey: village shop, post office, primary school and sports pitches. Between the two villages there are a variety of clubs, societies and activities such as the annual Regatta and biennial Flower Festival.

Pull quote
“We shall miss the setting of the property, in particular our peaceful garden, where we love to sit in the evening and listen to the bird song.”

Transport

Hemingford Abbots sits about halfway between the towns of Huntingdon and St Ives (approx. 3 miles respectively) where a wider selection of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities are available. A short drive to the A14 provides easy access into Cambridge and links to the A1, M11 and the national motorway network. Huntingdon has a railway station with fast trains into London King’s Cross in under an hour and links to the North via Peterborough (approximately 15 minutes).

Schools

There is a good selection of primary schools within 1-1.5 miles including: Hemingford Grey Primary, Houghton Primary and Wyton-on-the-Hill Primary. There are also several well-regarded secondary schools in the neighbouring towns such as St Peter’s and Hinchingbrooke Schools in Huntingdon and St Ivo Academy in St Ives; all approx. 2-3 miles away. Independent schools in Cambridge and Kimbolton are also within easy reach.

Agents Information

Tenure: Freehold
Year Built: Dates from 17th Century – Grade II Listed
EPC: Exempt
Local Authority: Huntingdon District Council
Tax Band: G
Double glazed throughout

IMPORTANT NOTE TO PURCHASERS:
_We endeavour to make our sales particulars accurate and reliable, however, they do not constitute or form part of an offer or any contract and none is to be relied upon as statements of representation or fact. Any services, systems and appliances listed in this specification have not been tested by us and no guarantee as to their operating ability or efficiency is given. All measurements have been taken as a guide to prospective buyers only, and are not precise. Please be advised that some of the particulars may be awaiting vendor approval. If you require clarification or further information on any points, please contact us, especially if you are traveling some distance to view. Fixtures and fittings other than those mentioned are to be agreed with the seller

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FCY220054

Marketed by: Fine & Country, St.Neots