The Avenue, Bletsoe, MK44

The Grade II Listed former Rectory enjoys a prominent position on the edge of this accessible north Bedfordshire village, and is constructed of limestone and brick with part rendered, all under a hipped Welsh slate roof.

The property enjoys a timeless charm and retains many of the original architectural features, including sash windows with working shutters, brass door furniture with hand plates, moulded ceilings, picture rails, oak herringbone flooring and traditional working fireplaces.

Ground Floor
A pair of glazed doors open into the central reception hall with stairs gracefully rising to the first floor. All main reception rooms lead off from the hall. The drawing room enjoys a dual aspect with a marble fireplace and recessed cupboards to either side with display shelving. French doors open onto the drive with a bay window enjoying views over the formal lawn.

Across the hall is the study currently used as an additional sitting room with a decorative wooden fireplace housing a Clearview wood burner. The sitting room enjoys a wonderful position in the heart of the Rectory with views across the grounds and open countryside beyond. The room enjoys a marble fireplace. The dining room has wonderful proportions with oak herringbone flooring, believed to have been laid in 1875 which runs into the hallway, drawing room and study. This room also benefits from a decorative fireplace. A panelled door leads to the front of the house.

The kitchen/breakfast room lies at the end of the hall and is in a farmhouse style with a painted base and eye-level units, display shelving and a matching dresser. Appliances include a cream two oven Aga, Neff electric cooker with four ring gas hob and Miele dishwasher. A part glazed door allows access to the rear garden. An inner hallway services a pantry, shower/cloakroom, utility room, tack room and boot room.

First Floor
The main and rear staircases rise to the central landing. The master bedroom enjoys superb views over the grounds and front drive. Built-in cupboards and an ensuite bathroom with rolled top bath, basin and low-level W.C. The guest bedroom has a wash basin and recessed pine cupboards. This room also enjoys picturesque views over the grounds and across to the lake. In addition there a further five double bedrooms on this floor served by a family bathroom.

Off the landing is what is believed to for part of a former private chapel which would be the 8th bedroom but is currently used as a cosy family room with leaded light windows.

Farm Buildings

The gravelled drive leads past the outbuildings and continues to the portal-framed farm buildings. The buildings comprise two two-bay barns by Scorpion of Marlborough. The first barn has an earth floor and is used for storage of hay and providing covered accommodation for horse box/trailer.

The barn behind benefits from a concrete floor with blockwork dwarf walls and Yorkshire boarding to eaves. Internally there are four loose boxes with mains water and electricity connected and a concrete apron to the front.

Gardens and Grounds
The Old Rectory is approached over a sweeping in-and-out gravelled drive with a central island. The gravelled drive continues past the house allowing vehicular access to the stables, farm buildings and grass paddocks.

Lying to the north of the property and attached to the gable end is a double carport. Running away from the house and benefitting from access off the rear drive is a single-storey range of outbuildings comprising a single garage and four individual stables. Slightly set back is a machinery store along with rug and feed store.

The mature grounds are a pure delight and lie to the north and west of the house. The formal lawn is edged by mature trees and gently falls away to the small lake with a central island. A mature beech hedge defines the boundary between the formal garden and the productive orchard that is stocked with mature apple trees of different varieties. Beyond is the kitchen garden and wooded wildlife area.

There are a total of three paddocks divided by post and rail fencing with mature hedgerow boundaries defining the perimeter. Lying behind the farm buildings is a further paddock, currently used as a show jumping and exercise area that could lend itself to accommodating an outdoor ménage.

Location
Bletsoe is an attractive north Bedfordshire village which benefits from a public house, church, village hall, playing field and children’s play park. Local shopping facilities are available in Sharnbrook and Clapham with more extensive shopping and leisure facilities available in the county town of Bedford, Northampton, Wellingborough, Milton Keynes and further afield in Cambridge.

The area is well served for schooling of all ages with bus services from the village. The renowned Harpur Trust Schools are situated in Bedford. Wellingborough and Kimbolton schools are close by. Further afield and readily accessible are Uppingham, Oundle, Oakham, Stowe and Rugby. The village is within the Sharnbrook Upper School catchment area. Schooling is offered in the neighbouring villages of Riseley and Milton Ernest.

The village benefits from direct access onto the A6 providing access to both the M1 motorway at junction 13 and A14 linking the M1 to the A1. For the commuter, Bedford station offers a fast and reliable Thames Link and EMR services into St Pancras and onto the city. For European and international travel Luton airport is within a 40 minute drive of the property with Heathrow, Stanstead and East Midlands airport further afield. Trains from Bedford station run to Gatwick airport.