Bay Tree House

About the House cont'd

The mature gardens are fully enclosed by walls and face south with far reaching views across the surrounding countryside. The gardens are divided into separate areas and include a nuttery and a secret garden with a grapevine, figs and a kiwi.The property is in a prominent position in the village, within walking distance of amenities.

History and Heritage

The property was Grade Listed in 1985. It dates back to the mid 18th century with a wing added in the 19th century. The oldest part of the house has cob rendered walls with other sections in chequered brick and it has a slate roof.

Ground Floor

The wooden entrance door opens into the entrance hall which has a fireplace with a timber surround and delft tile inserts housing a gas stove. There is a beamed ceiling, a built-in bookcase, and doors to the stairs, the family room and the utility room. The inner hall has parquet flooring and access to the other reception rooms and the kitchen/breakfast room.

Reception Rooms

The sitting room is in the older part of the house and has two sash windows to the front with original shutters. There is an inset display alcove with a cupboard under, and a feature fireplace with a wood and brass surround and an open grate. The dining room also has an open fireplace with fitted shelves in the chimney recess and further shelves fitted in the bay under the window. The triple aspect family room has an open fireplace with a steel surround. There is exposed wood flooring, coving and a ceiling rose. French doors lead to the garden room which has a tiled floor and is fitted with an air conditioning unit and heating for year round use. There are far reaching countryside views and French doors to the south facing garden.

Kitchen/Breakfast Room

The open plan kitchen/breakfast room measures just under 44 ft. long and has dual aspect windows and a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and Velux skylights providing additional natural light. The kitchen has a black and white tiled floor and is fitted with a range of painted units with wooden work surfaces incorporating a one and a half bowl sink and drainer. There is also a dresser unit, built-in wall units with sliding doors, and a wall mounted display unit for crockery. Appliances include a four oven calor gas fired Aga, and a companion electric hob, and there is space for a dishwasher and a fridge/freezer. The breakfast area has space for a table to seat eight and French doors to a raised decked area for outside dining and entertaining.

Utility Room

The utility room is accessed from the hall and has access to the understairs cupboard and the cloakroom. There is a glazed door to the garden, a Belfast sink and space for two appliances.

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

There are four bedrooms on the first floor, one of which is currently used as a study. All the bedrooms have windows with views of the south facing gardens and countryside beyond towards East Haddon Hall. Three of the bedrooms have built-in wardrobes and the other bedroom has a cupboard which houses the water tank and immersion heater. Two of the bedrooms share a Jack and Jill shower room and there is also a family bathroom.There are two further bedrooms on the second floor both with vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and Velux windows. The rooms are linked by landing areas which could be used as a study, a playroom or converted into a bathroom.

Grounds

The plot extends to approximately 1.01 acres and is enclosed by brick walls with gated access to the gravel driveway which provides parking and access to the house, garages and barn.

Gardens

The gardens are a particular feature of the property and are divided into sections by feature walls. They are mainly in front and to the side of the house and face south with far reaching views. Outside the garden room there is a large bay tree, a Magnolia Grandiflora, and stone steps which lead down to the Italian garden which is lawned with paved paths and an established central bed with shaped trees and bushes including further bays. An arch in the surrounding wall leads to a further grass area with Bramley apple trees, and the Nuttery, a wooded area with walks and spring bulbs including bluebells. The secret garden is a separate walled garden with a paved seating area covered by a pergola, an ornamental fish pond, herbaceous borders, and mature trees including a kiwi and a fig tree. Behind the secret garden there is a vegetable garden which has a shed, and a greenhouse, and there is a further lawned area with herbaceous borders at the side of the house.

Outbuilding

The versatile L-shaped outbuilding was originally stables and a coach house and offers an additional 1,221 sq. ft. of space. It now includes a double garage and there is an electric car charging point. The rest of the outbuilding is currently used for storage but the vendors used to run a business from the building and it provides space for six people to work in and still has power connected, a telephone connection and an ultra high giga clear full fibre broadband connection. One of the four interlinked rooms also has an adjoining kitchenette and a WC. Subject to obtaining the necessary planning permission, the outbuilding has potential to be converted into a self-contained annexe or it could be turned back into spacious offices for running a business from home.

Situation and Schooling

The property is in the centre of Ravensthorpe village, near the church, and is within a few minutes’ walk of other local amenities which include a public house and shop, playing fields and a pocket park. There is also a village hall with a programme of activities including village cinema nights. The property is 0.5 miles from Ravensthorpe Reservoir which is noted for its fishing, bird watching and leisure facilities. Most other amenities can be found in Northampton, within 10 miles, including trains to Euston in 59 minutes. Primary schooling is available at Guilsborough, Creaton, Spratton and East Haddon and there is secondary schooling at Moulton, Guilsborough and Daventry. Local private schools include Spratton Hall and Northampton High School for Girls with preparatory schools at Pitsford and Maidwell. The property is in the catchment area for Guilsborough Academy.