Main Street, Peatling Parva, LE17

The Laurels has been a home for hundreds of years. Originally constructed in 1785, it is a dwelling of immense elegance and historical charm that has been carefully nurtured and renovated to its period eminence by its present owners. This beautifully restored property has part Georgian, part Victorian characteristics and with a delightful mixture of original and bespoke features, is a house that can boast of being a home that is going to impress from the outset. It is truly a very special property.

Located in the village of Peatling Parva, in the charming southern part of Leicestershire, the house is part of the historical narrative of the village. Sitting behind electrically operated gates on Main Street, it is a five bedroom detached property with four main reception rooms, a kitchen and utility room, integral garage, cellar and annex consisting of a games room, kitchen and bedroom. Of the five bedrooms in the main house, two have en-suites, and there is a family bathroom with a downstairs cloakroom.

Georgian character

The Laurels is a house bearing the gracious proportions of a classical building, with an understated refinement and pleasing symmetry. It has the characteristic Georgian symmetrical window placement on both stories, with sash windows designed to allow abundant light to flood into the interior. Built with red brick, a hip roof and chimney stacks with multiple pots, the overall presentation is pristine from the outset.

The central entrance is adorned with large carriage lamps, a moulded panel door and architrave, with a clear glass fan light. Standing on the doorstep, the visitor can only wonder how many times the bell, which is the original front door bell, has been heard ringing through the house. This is only one of the many elements that capture the imagination. The Georgian period was a time when interior design and decorative arts flourished and within, the present day interior will not fail to disappoint with its charming observance of classical patterns, colours and textures. It is a home of quality that is lavished with period detail while primarily being enjoyed for its versatility, space and convenience. Here, there is a rare opportunity to invest in a house in a delightful village setting that offers privacy and style, whilst being only a short walk away from open countryside. 

From the roadside, the front of the house is bordered by a wall and hedging. Once the wrought iron gates have opened, an unobscured view of the house reveals a wide drive that sweeps between the lawn and around the house to the front and side, edged with borders of mature shrubs and trees. There is ample space along the drive for turning or parking several vehicles. Double gates also open at the side of the property, providing access to the garage, rear entrance to the house and annex to the right. The garage is accessible through an electrically operated up and over door.

The beauty is in the detail

Once inside, the hallway introduces the decorative themes that will repeat throughout the property: high ceilings, deep skirting boards, ceiling roses, patterned tiled flooring, panelled interior doors and cast iron radiators. A complete renovation to the highest standard has allowed contemporary technology to be sympathetically introduced. Rewiring has provided the opportunity to introduce flush to the ceiling LED lighting where appropriate and update existing fixtures to permit chandeliers, pendant and wall lights. A CAT 6 cable alarm, fire and security system monitored by cameras is in operation, with underfloor heating throughout the
ground floor.

From the hall, the carpeted period staircase is the focal point as it ascends to the first level where it splits to run along two separate landings and the bedrooms above. With white painted balustrades, sinuous mahogany handrail and newel posts, the staircase is a beautiful feature. The hallway has doors in a clockwise direction opening into the living room, kitchen and dining room and beneath the stairs there is a door opening to steps leading down into the cellar. This large storage room has a vaulted ceiling and deep shelves, recessed into its walls.

The ground floor tour

The Laurels benefits from having been owned by people who have preserved its original characteristics and made additions that complement the style and integrity of the building. Benefitting from several reception rooms of distinctive character and size, each has period features and has been decorated to emphasise its elegance and charm.

The living room is carpeted and has period sash windows with original shutters, cast iron radiators and a Carrera marble fireplace surround with real flame gas fire. It is a light filled room, complimented with duel aspect windows that look to the front and side of the house.
Across the hallway, the dining room is similarly decorated but with solid oak wooden flooring. It also has period sash windows with original shutters, cast iron radiators and a period marble fireplace with cast iron real flame gas fire on a tiled hearth. Double Panelled double doors open into the kitchen.

The large kitchen is a central hub with steps leading from it into the snug and French doors opening into the garden. It is quintessentially an English country kitchen of the highest standard and has been supplied by Devol, who specialise in bespoke kitchen furniture. The cabinetry is classically stylish: hand painted tongue and groove wooden Shaker units with cup pull handles to drawers. Blue veined marble work surfaces compliment the original stove, painted in high gloss black, while the present oven has a deep over mantel for displaying crockery. A central island fitted with electrical sockets for appliances and housing the sink, has an overhanging marble work top that provides a space for stools, creating an informal eating area. An array of integrated appliances can be accommodated in the kitchen and the dishwasher and fridge freezer are included within the sale. Bowers and Wilkins ceiling speakers have been fitted here and in the snug.

As its name suggests, this room is a delightful retreat within a few spaces of the busyness of the kitchen to permit companionable interaction but separate enough to enjoy a little peace. It has limestone flooring, an exposed ceiling beam, a fireplace fitted with a log burner and overlooks the rear garden. The study is immediately next door.

The study has duel aspect windows and solid oak flooring. A cast iron feature fireplace with panelling to the sides and exposed ceiling beam create a delightful working space. There is a door from this room leading into the garage, where underfloor heating has been fitted to maximise the potential for the space and is in turn decorated to resemble a sports den, fitted with limestone floor tiles, pendant light fixtures, speakers and a television.

Lastly, in the main house, the utility and downstairs cloakroom - fitted with a white basin unit and toilet - can be entered from the snug. Similarly fitted with limestone floor tiles, Devol units, marble work surfaces and a Butler sink, there is provision and storage in the utility to cater for all laundry requirements. A door opening to the side entrance, allows easy access to the separate annex, across reclaimed Georgian paving. Outside taps with hot and cold water are fitted here.
 
The annex

Within a few steps of the house but quite independent of it, the annex is a single width combination of rooms offering the potential for ground level accommodation or a guest suite. Presently comprising of a games room, kitchen and bedroom with separate shower room, the annex is self-contained and has underfloor central heating. Ceilings in the bedroom and sitting room are vaulted, and the kitchen has integrated appliances. It is fitted to a high specification throughout and offers privacy and seclusion, It is a valuable asset and provides a sixth bedroom option with all the benefits of a beautifully decorated individual dwelling.

The dreamy first floor

From the main house staircase, the landing becomes split levelled and divides, with steps leading in opposite directions to the bedrooms and family bathroom. At the front of the house there is a double bedroom with duel aspect sash windows and directly opposite, the prime suite. The latter consists of a double bedroom with double doors opening into the most luxurious of en-suites featuring underfloor heating and Imperial sanitary ware fitted to a high specification and presented, immaculately. Particularly striking is the raised cistern flushing toilet and grand bath, with middle hand held shower tap. The prime suite also has a spacious walk-in wardrobe, fitted with shelving and hanging fixtures.

A double bedroom at the rear of the property also has an en-suite shower room fitted with toilet and vanity unit. Tiled on the floor and walls, it also has a walk-in wardrobe area. It benefits from three windows overlooking the rear grounds.

Bedroom four overlooks the side of the property and is accessed from an upstairs sitting room that also serves as bedroom five. All of the bedrooms are elegantly decorated and contain features repeated throughout the house, maintaining quality and characteristics pertaining to a property of age. They provide individually styled rooms with a complimentary theme. Likewise, all of the washing and bathing facilities within The Laurels have been fitted and maintained to the highest standard and equipped with quality fitments, accessories, tiles and furniture that provide rooms of characterful, individualistic  decoration. This is true of the family bathroom which is situated in the middle of the first floor containing a bath, toilet and vanity unit.

The grounds

The Laurels is built upon three quarters of an acre of land. It creates the impression of maturity and elegance within its garden design from the front aspect and continues to delight with a meandering combination of lawns, planted beds and trees at the rear. A York stone patio has been lime pointed and steps leading into the west facing garden promote the perception that all around has been as it is seen, since the house was built. In fact, the area has been professionally designed and landscaped, with built in irrigation and outside lighting. As with all aspects of this beautifully renovated period home, aspects to improve have been undertaken with attention to detail and with the objective to enhance the original.
 
Located in the picturesque Leicestershire village of Peatling Parva. Within the village is the well renowned Shires pub/restaurant. Other amenities include the Village Hall and St Andrew's Church. There are also a number of walks that allow you to explore the local countryside.

Peatling Parva is centrally located and within easy reach of other villages and major towns, the amenities on offer are extensive in places such as Rugby, Lutterworth and Market Harborough. They offer edge of town super stores and uniquely bespoke shops, restaurants, sports venues, public houses, cafes and parks. For an even greater variety of entertainment including theatres, art galleries and museums, the cosmopolitan city of Leicester is only nine miles away.

The nearest secondary schools are Lutterworth High School, rated ‘outstanding’, Lutterworth College and Thomas Estley Community College at Broughton Astley, both rated ‘good’. Local independent schools include Brooke House Day School, Stoneygate School, Rugby School, Leicester Grammar and Leicester High School for Girls.

Communication links are excellent with access to junction 20 of the M1 within three miles. By rail, London St Pancras is about an hour from Market Harborough and London Euston is less than an hour from Rugby.

EPC Rating D
Local authority Harborough borough council
Council tax band G