Hillesden, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, MK18

History & Heritage

The vendor purchased Stockingwood Farm and associated farm buildings in 1981 and undertook a comprehensive refurbishment and remodelling of the farmhouse which was originally three cottages which are believed to date from the 16th century. The remodelling included replacing all the internal floors and installing a new staircase in the hall in place of the original stairs which used to be in the dining room. Period features including beams and fireplaces have been retained. About 9 years ago a further programme of refurbishment modernised all the bathrooms and installed a new Fraser James kitchen. The vendors demolished some Dutch barns on the property but retained other outbuildings including a barn situated across the drive from the farmhouse which was converted into a self-contained annexe in 1984. Other barns and piggeries are now used for storage and garaging.

About the house

The main house has 2,725 sq. ft. of accommodation with three reception rooms, a conservatory, a kitchen/breakfast room, a utility room, a shower room, and a cloakroom on the ground floor and four bedrooms, two en suite shower rooms and a bathroom on the first floor. As well as the farmhouse there is also a 1,339 sq. ft. annexe which the vendor uses as a guest wing for family gatherings but which would suit multi generational families wanting to live together while maintaining some independence, or it could be rented out to create an income. 3,451 sq. ft. of outbuildings include three double garages, a tractor garage and several workshops and stores. The property sits on a plot of 8.44 acres of wraparound landscaped gardens and paddocks and has a tennis court. It is a rural location with countryside views but is only 9 minutes’ drive from amenities in Buckingham and about 28 minutes’ drive from amenities in Milton Keynes which include commuter trains to Euston in just 32 minutes.

Ground Floor

The front door is sheltered by an overhang on the triple aspect stone built porch which has a window and door to the hall. The main hall has stairs to the first floor and an opening to the inner hall which has a window to the rear and a cloakroom with a WC and a vanity washbasin.

Reception Rooms

The sitting room has exposed ceiling beams, arched display shelves, and a feature brick fireplace housing a coal effect gas fire. There is a window and door to the front garden and drive, and steps up to the conservatory which overlooks the walled garden at the side and has double doors to a paved seating area. Sliding doors from the conservatory lead into a study/snug which has a window to the rear and a built-in double wardrobe, one half of which houses the calor gas boiler and water tank. This room could alternatively be used as a ground floor bedroom if required, and is adjacent to the ground floor shower room which has a walk-in shower, a concealed cistern WC and washbasin set into vanity storage, and a towel radiator. The dining room has a window to the front, exposed beams, a built-in glazed display cabinet and built-in shelves. The original fireplace was removed during the remodelling but the room has an alcove where the former bread oven was.

Kitchen/Breakfast Room

The kitchen/breakfast room has tiled flooring, exposed ceiling beams, dual aspect windows, and a range of solid wood full height, wall and base units by Fraser James which include display shelves, glazed display cabinets, pan drawers, pull out internal drawers, a carousel corner unit, spice rack, and cutlery drawer. The black granite worksurfaces incorporate inset double sinks, and an induction hob with an extractor over. Other integrated appliances include a fridge, a dishwasher, an AEG microwave and a Baumatic double oven. There is a column radiator, space for a dresser, and space for a breakfast table and chairs.

Utility Room

The utility room has a window to the rear and a part glazed door to the side garden. It has a built-in shelved cupboard which houses the electric fuse box, and a range of full height storage cupboards., a granite work surface incorporating a sink, and space and plumbing for a fridge/freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer.

First Floor

The galleried landing has dual aspect windows to the front and rear and access to four bedrooms and the family bathroom. The principal bedroom has exposed ceiling beams, a window to the front, and two sets of built-in wardrobes with hanging rails and shelving. The en suite has a shower cubicle, a concealed cistern Gerberit WC, a vanity washbasin and a towel radiator. Bedroom two has a window to the rear and an en suite shower room. Bedroom three has a range of built-in wardrobes spanning one wall and a window to the front. Bedroom four is dual aspect with windows to the front and side and has a built-in wardrobe. These two bedrooms share the family bathroom which is fully tiled and has a freestanding copper coloured bath, a towel radiator, an airing cupboard, and a concealed cistern WC and washbasin set into vanity storage with granite tops.

Annexe

The annexe was converted from a timber framed and brick barn in 1984. The entrance hall has steps up to the sitting/dining room, and access to a shower room with adjoining sauna, and the kitchen which has a range of fitted units, a one and a half bowl sink, an electric oven and hob, and space for a fridge/freezer. The sitting/dining room measures 25 ft. by 16 ft. and has dual aspect windows, and a brick fireplace which currently houses a gas stove but which has a chimney for a log burner if preferred. The remaining ground floor room is currently used as a bedroom but could be used as an office for working from home. It has a door to a garden area at the rear which overlooks a parking area which could be used for clients. There is also access to a store room under the stairs and landing. Stairs from the sitting/dining room lead up to a galleried landing which has stairs at either end. One set leads to a bedroom which has a Velux window and is currently being used as a (truncated)

Gardens

The gardens are a particular feature of the property and wrap around the house and outbuildings. The vendors added a wall which borders the formal garden and separates it from the road and tennis court beyond. Mature hedges are also used to separate areas and to screen off the vegetable garden and greenhouse, a compost and store area, and the calor gas tank from the house. The formal gardens are landscaped with several paved patio seating areas linked by paved paths with low retaining walls bordering established herbaceous beds. The rest of the space is lawned with numerous mature trees and shrubs interspersed, and there is a gravelled area with a terracotta urn water feature. A timber and brick pergola supports a wisteria and leads from the formal garden to a lawned area with mature trees interspersed which overlooks the outbuildings and paddocks.

Tennis Court

The hard surface tennis court is surrounded by a chain link fence and the area is sheltered by mature hedges and the wall of the garden.

Grounds and Outbuildings

The property has three entrances. The main entrance leads to a gravelled courtyard between the main house and the annexe which provides parking and access to the double garage which has two up and over doors and power connected. A second entrance leads to the tennis court behind the formal garden, and the third entrance leads to a separate courtyard behind the annexe where there is extensive parking and access to the two outbuildings. The former piggeries measure just under 96 ft. long and are currently used as stores and workshops. The other outbuilding is a barn which comprises two double garages and a tractor garage.

Paddocks

The property has a total plot of 8.44 acres which includes two paddocks, one of 3.27 acres and one of 2.67 acres. The paddocks are enclosed by post and rail fencing and mature hedges and currently have sheep on them but have in the past been used for horses. One paddock has an area of hardstanding which could be used to park vehicles.

Agents Note

Purchasers should be aware that the property has mains water from Anglian which is then provided to other nearby properties which are metered. The bill comes to Stockingwood Farm and is then shared out according to the meter readings.

Hillesden

The small Buckinghamshire village of Hillesden is about 3 miles south of Buckingham, in the Aylesbury Vale. Hillesden’s name reflects its Anglo-Saxon origins and is in a landscape dominated by farming and natural woodland. While the village retains its rural roots, there are local train connections to London in under an hour. The market town of Buckingham has a range of shopping and leisure facilities, a library, and dental and GP surgeries. Hillesden Hamlet is in the catchment area for the Royal Latin (grammar) School in Buckingham. A wider range of facilities can be found in Milton Keynes (16.5 miles) and Bicester (11 miles).