Park Road, Melchbourne, Bedfordshire, MK44

19TH CENTURY COTTAGE, WITH BARNS RIPE FOR CONVERSION - IN WONDERFULLY PEACEFUL SPOT

An unlisted and extended, detached, 4-double bedroom cottage in the rural Bedfordshire village of Melchbourne, looking over paddocks and fields, and with barns that would make a perfect annexe. With a lovely, long, private garden at the front, as well as courtyard and garden areas at the back, not to mention plenty of parking space, Gamekeepers Cottage makes a gloriously peaceful family retreat.

On a quiet, no-through lane, leading as its name suggests to Melchbourne Park and its Jacobean mansion, the cottage is set by itself between a row of other lovely, old homes to each side, a beautiful weeping silver birch opposite and countryside views front and back.

Glance at a map of Melchbourne and it seems as if major routes were planned to leave the village in perfect peace, while providing easy access to Bedford, Wellingborough and St Neots railway stations, Rushden Lakes shopping complex and further afield.

Kimbolton’s renowned private school is less than six miles away and there’s an outstanding private pre-school in the village itself. The catchment schools at Riseley and Sharnbrook are a short bus ride away.

Wander up the lane to Sunday service at the medieval, Grade I-listed church, perhaps followed by a bite to eat at the popular village pub, a former hunting lodge with a beer garden and open fire. You’re spoiled for choice for many beautiful walks, in the fields surrounding your cottage and through Melchbourne Woods to Riseley.

You can look forward to the feast day held annually at Melchbourne Park at the same time of year as the 13th century Knights Hospitallers held their “annual fayre, vigil, feast and morrow” of St Mary Magdalene, after whom the church is named. Melchbourne was once a village of some importance. It’s now, quite simply, a lovely, friendly, tranquil place to live.

MORE ABOUT THE PROPERTY

Melchbourne Park once housed its gamekeepers here, hence the name of your new home. They would be amazed to see it today. What were then two cottages have become one, with an extension at the back. What were once outdoor privies and, perhaps, wash houses for each of the cottages are now an office and store.

The barns would make a super, income-earning annexe, perhaps even with space to still maintain an office. They even have their own little garden, where you can relax with just horses and sheep for company. Wander into the paddock to appreciate their beautiful, once open, central arch. The old flat clay tiles intriguingly, contrast with the pantiles of the other side; and the lovely red brick of the barns with the equally lovely, checkered design of the main house.

Come home from a muddy field walk and you have no need to worry if your dog escapes your clutches. The beautiful slate and herringbone-style, oak floors are very forgiving. And with the open plan design of the living space, the cottage is made for entertaining too.

While some upstairs doorways may make you duck or grouse, there’s plenty of height. And character; ledged and braced doors, beautiful beams and exposed floorboards being a reminder of the cottage’s heritage. Nor will the views from the bedrooms let you forget your good fortune at living in such an environment.

You may wish to put your stamp on your new home, but there’s interest at every turn. An eclectic mix of old and new, of designer lights and wall coverings, all oozing fun and colour. A redundant chimney is left exposed in the dining area. Both bath panel and kitchen tops are made from scaffold boards, the kitchen, with its architect’s chest island, hinting at an unfitted style. Quite something!

Natural light pours into the snug through sliding doors leading to what could be a super courtyard. And into the sitting room, which extends through bifold doors to the lovely front garden. Relax on the decking in perfect privacy, watching children slide down from the apple tree, bees busy amid the roses, birds singing from the beautiful silver birch. Delightful!