Church Street, Newnham, NN11

Description:
April Cottage is a charming and historically significant period property situated in the heart of the picturesque village of Newnham. Constructed from roughly hewn ironstone, this delightful cottage was once known as "The Off-Licence" (beer house) and served as a gathering place for the local community. Along with many other original features, the serving windows and bars from its days as a beer house have been preserved, adding a unique character to the property.

The cottage has been under the same ownership for over 40 years and has been thoughtfully refurbished to create a stunning family home. The accommodation is arranged over three floors and features generously proportioned reception rooms, including a bright open-plan kitchen/breakfast room with direct access to the south-facing garden, a cozy sitting room with an inglenook fireplace, and four well-appointed bedrooms, including a spacious master bedroom with vaulted ceilings, an ensuite bathroom, and a dressing area. The beautifully landscaped gardens further enhance the appeal of this exceptional home and provide the perfect setting for outdoor entertaining and relaxation.

Complementing the main house is a large detached double garage, offering ample storage and parking space. In addition, the property boasts a Malvern Garden Building, known as "The Woolf Shed." This unique structure, which featured at the Chelsea Flower Show, was inspired by Virginia Woolf's iconic essay "A Room of One's Own." The Woolf Shed is a beautifully crafted retreat, designed to offer a serene space for creativity and reflection, with its dove grey exterior creating a dedicated space for creative pursuits, making it a perfect sanctuary for writers, artists, or anyone seeking a peaceful escape within the comfort of their own garden.

Features:
Desirable village location
Historic period property with unique character
Recently refurbished with modern amenities
Four well-appointed bedrooms, including a master suite
Spacious reception rooms
Open-plan kitchen/breakfast/dining room
Beautifully landscaped south-facing gardens
Detached double garage with Somfy electric roller shutter doors
Malvern Garden Building, featured at Chelsea Flower Show
Convenient commuting distance to Milton Keynes and London Euston

Local Authority: West Northamptonshire Council (Daventry Area)
Council Tax: Band F
EPC: Rating D
Services: Gas, Electricity, Water, Drainage
Tenure: Freehold

Location:
The pleasant village of Newnham is nestled in a valley to the west of Northamptonshire close to the Warwickshire border and two miles south of the market town of Daventry.

The village has attractive groupings of stone and brick houses and a cherished village green where the popular 'Maria's Kitchen' at the Romer Arms provides good home cooked food and drinks. This cosy public house is named after Romer Williams, a Welsh lawyer who bought the property after settling in the village in 1898 and was renowned for hosting lavish feasts.

The village is fortunate to have a secret cobnut orchard where blankets of snowdrops bloom under the tree canopies at wintertime. Known as the 'Nuttery' this historic orchard dates to 1787 and used to operate commercially. Women and children from the village would harvest the nuts for them to be sent to markets in Covent Garden, Birmingham, and Coventry.

The parish church of St Michael and all Angels stands on a high bank and boasts a 15th century open battlemented tower; one of only a few open towers in the country and a reminder of Newnham's past agricultural industry can be found in the Grade II Listed windmill standing aloft Newnham Hill.

Notable past residents of the village include the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nigel Lawson and the Elizabethan poet, Thomas Randolph.

Newnham is well-served by a selection of nearby schools with the local Newnham Primary School offering a nurturing environment for younger children with a broad curriculum and strong community ethos. For those seeking private education, Rugby School, Bilton Grange, and Spratton Hall are within easy reach, offering high academic standards and a range of extracurricular activities.

Newnham is less than a 40-minute commute to Milton Keynes where a wide range of shops and facilities are available as well as Milton Keynes Central Railway with direct and frequent trains to London Euston.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the nearby Everdon Stubbs and Badby Woods offer beautiful woodland walks, particularly stunning during bluebell season. Golfers will appreciate the nearby Staverton Park Golf Club, while those interested in history might enjoy visiting the nearby Canons Ashby, a National Trust property featuring a grand Elizabethan manor house and gardens.

Newnham's location offers the perfect blend of rural tranquillity and easy access to nearby towns and leisure activities, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a balanced lifestyle.

Accommodation:

Ground Floor:

Entrance Hall:
The main entrance hall is accessed via a traditional four-panel hardwood door from High Street. Inside, the space features riven-effect floor tiles, exposed ceiling beams, and joists that lend a rustic charm. Two large, fitted cupboards, finished in Farrow & Ball Bone, provide ample storage and house the underfloor heating manifold and a recently installed Worcester combi boiler. A matching seating area, with butt-and-bead timber cladding, offers additional storage.

Riven tile steps lead to a small, glazed door that opens to the rear courtyard, once used for delivering beer barrels. A part-glazed timber panel door provides access to the utility room and home office. Quarter winder steps ascend to a traditional slatted door with a Suffolk latch, leading to the kitchen / breakfast room, and dining area.

Utility / Home Office:
The utility room is a practical space, equipped with base units, a stainless-steel sink with a mixer tap, and ample room for a washing machine and tumble dryer. It features exposed ceiling beams and joists, and the riven-effect tiled floor continues seamlessly from the entrance hall. A folding part-glazed timber door opens into a small office area, historically used to serve beer through the mullioned iron bar window which is now fitted with louvered shutters. The office area mirrors the utility room's flooring and includes a fitted workstation with upper shelving. The walls are finished in a combination of whitewashed plaster and solid stone, adding to the room's character.

Kitchen/Breakfast Room:
This delightful space, part of a recent extension, is bathed in natural light thanks to a large lantern light, triple concertina doors, and a traditional casement window, all of which overlook the south-facing garden. The kitchen is fitted with modern grey shaker-style base and wall units, centred around a matching island. A Neff five-burner induction hob sits beneath a brushed chrome extractor hood, paired with a twin ceramic Butler sink featuring a chrome mixer tap. The quartz countertops are thoughtfully designed with integrated drainage channels, and the kitchen is equipped with further high-quality NEFF appliances, including a dishwasher, single-door electric oven, microwave, and warmer. Recessed spotlights provide good artificial lighting, while the floors benefit from underfloor heating and are finished with ash-effect boards.

Dining Room:
Located to the front of the property, the dining room area has space for a good-sized table and chairs and features a two-unit casement window with louvered shutters to the front aspect. A central ceiling beam adds character and highlights the room's original features, and there is a large inglenook fireplace with roughly hewn ironstone reveals and a stone slab hearth which houses a wood-burning stove. A traditional six-panel door with a Suffolk latch and T-bar hinges opens to the sitting room, while a four-panel door leads to the quarter winder steps, providing access to the first-floor accommodation.

Sitting Room:
The dual-aspect sitting room, featuring chamfered ceiling beams, is bathed in natural light from a three-unit casement window with louvered shutter blinds on the front elevation, and a single casement window on the south-facing rear elevation. The focal point of the room is a large ironstone inglenook fireplace with a stone slab hearth and timber lintel, housing a wood-burning stove. A built-in unit finished in Farrow & Ball Hague Blue offers space for entertainment systems and storage, while a small, recessed niche with shelving adds additional character. The floors are finished with sanded and chalk-painted pine boards.

First Floor:

Landing:
The spacious first-floor landing provides ample room for seating or additional furniture, with flexibility for various uses. Natural light streams in through a three-unit casement window that overlooks the south-facing garden, and the floors are finished with plush cut-pile carpet. Traditional slatted timber doors, each fitted with a mixture of timber and iron Suffolk latches, lead to the principal bedrooms, family bathroom, and stairs ascend to the master bedroom on the second floor.

Bedroom Two:
Situated on the right-hand side of the property, this dual-aspect double bedroom is a beautifully appointed space featuring part-vaulted ceilings and neutrally decorated walls with decorative lining paper. The room includes a fireplace with a cast iron insert, currently blocked, adding to its period charm. Plush cut-pile carpet covers the floors, and natural light fills the room through two casement windows, both fitted with timber louvered shutters on the front and rear elevations. The bedroom also offers ample built-in storage with a two-door wardrobe, complete with shelving and clothes rails.

Bedroom Three:
Located on the left-hand side of the property, this double bedroom offers a cosy retreat with traditional low lath-and-plaster ceilings. A two-unit casement window, fitted with louvered shutters, also incorporates a window seat. The floors are finished with plush cut-pile carpet, while the walls feature a combination of neutral decor and decorative lining paper.

Bedroom Four:
Situated at the centre of the property, Bedroom Four is a comfortable double bedroom featuring a plastered chimney breast that provides additional shelving space. A two-unit casement window on the front elevation, fitted with hinged louvered shutters, allows for natural light to fill the room. The floors are finished with plush cut-pile carpet, creating a cosy and welcoming atmosphere.

Family Bathroom:
Located at the rear left-hand side of the property, the family bathroom is fitted with butt-and-bead timber wainscoting and features a traditional three-piece suite, including a corner oval bath with a chrome mixer tap and shower cradle, a large ceramic wash hand basin set within a navy vanity unit, and a WC with a concealed cistern. The panelling is painted in Farrow & Ball Manor Grey. Heating is provided by a traditional column-style radiator with a chrome towel rail. Natural light enters through a traditional metal Crittall mullion window on the rear elevation, fitted with louvered shutters, and floors are finished with timber-effect sheet vinyl.

Master Bedroom:
Accessed from the first-floor landing via carpeted steps, the master bedroom is a spacious double room featuring beautiful, vaulted ceilings and exposed whitewashed stone walls. A two-unit casement window on the rear elevation offers spectacular south-facing views of the well-tended garden, with further onward views across the countryside towards Badby woods. The room includes a dressing area with three-door wardrobes on either side, each fitted with shelving and clothes rails. Quarter-winder steps with balustrades lead up to the master bedroom ensuite. The floors are finished with plush cut-pile carpet.

Master Bedroom Ensuite:
Located within the apex, the master bedroom ensuite features exposed timber purlins and vaulted ceilings with a Velux roof light providing spectacular south-facing views of the rear garden onward towards Badby Woods. The floors are finished with timber-effect sheet vinyl, and there is a raised marble-effect tiled floor with freestanding bath with chrome claw feet, mixer tap, and shower cradle. Further sanitary appliances include a close-coupled WC and a contemporary oval wash hand basin with chrome mixer tap, set within a traditional pine vanity unit with drawer. The walls feature exposed roughly hewn stonework with a whitewash paint finish, and eaves cupboards provide space for storage. Heating is provided by a traditional column-style radiator with a chrome towel rail.

Grounds:

Front Aspect
The pretty front aspect has a raised ironstone planter with lime shingle, well-tended box hedges, and climbing roses. The main front entrance door is a solid timber panel element with traditional ironmongery and stone steps to the right-hand side elevation lead up to gated access to the side and rear gardens. The property benefits from vehicular access via a shared driveway between The Old Smithy and No. 1 Church St. This driveway extends to a newly installed pedestrian gate with matching double swing five-bar vehicular gate - operable with the touch of a button, providing secure and convenient access. The lime shingle driveway provides ample parking for several vehicles and continues to a large detached double garage.

Rear Garden
The L-shaped rear garden enjoys south-facing sunlight for most of the day, creating a warm and inviting outdoor space. A large lime shingle driveway, flanked by raised timber sleeper beds with well-tended shrubs, offers ample off-road parking and leads to a detached double garage. From there, a lime shingle pathway bordered with red bricks guides you to the rear of the property.

The thoughtfully landscaped garden features a variety of beautiful perennials, enhancing the natural beauty of the space. Lawn areas flank the lime shingle pathway, offering ample room for seating and relaxation, centred around a timber pergola with a swing.

For those with a green thumb, a large aluminium-framed glasshouse with a brick and slab floor provides the perfect environment for early vegetable and plant cultivation. The garden's perimeter is defined by a mix of timber close-board fencing and red and blue brick walls with intermediary piers, adding both privacy and charm. Additionally, the garden benefits from high-speed internet access, allowing you to stay connected while enjoying the outdoors.

A further seating area to the right of the garden is accessed via stone steps and lime shingle, currently featuring a delightful circular fire pit (not included within the sale), perfect for cozy evenings outdoors.

In front of the garage, a traditional corrugated Anderson shelter adds a touch of historical character and additional storage space. Stone steps lead down to concertina doors that open into the open-plan kitchen, extending to additional courtyard gardens with hard-standing areas ideal for seating.

A raised patio area to the right-hand side, complete with brushed chrome balustrades and tempered glass panels, offering ample space for entertaining with picturesque views of Newnham Church of St Michael & All Angels.

Garage
The detached double garage, positioned at the end of the lime shingle drive, is a robust and well-crafted structure. It features Douglas Fir shiplap cladding beneath a dual-pitched roof clad in natural slate. The garage is equipped with a separate fused electrical supply, providing ample lighting throughout. A key feature of the garage is its two Somfy electric roller shutter doors, known for their high-quality construction and integrated alarms, adding both convenience and security. These doors are easily operated with the touch of a button, enhancing the practicality of the space while ensuring that your vehicles and belongings are well-protected.

Garden Building
The garden also benefits from a historically inspired structure known as The Woolf Shed. This timber shiplap building, with its dual-pitched roof clad in cedar shingles, was featured at the Chelsea Flower Show as a tribute to the renowned writer Virginia Woolf and her iconic essay, "A Room of One's Own." Designed with creativity and tranquillity in mind, the Woolf Shed is fitted with double swing doors and matching casement windows, allowing natural light to fill the space. Inside, the walls and floors are clad in timber and finished with chalk paint, providing a serene environment ideal for both work and reflection. The Woolf Shed is more than just a garden building; it is a thoughtfully crafted retreat, embodying the spirit of Woolf's message about the importance of having a dedicated space for creative pursuits. Equipped with power, lighting, and high-speed internet access, it currently serves as a home office, offering a quiet sanctuary within the garden-perfect for writing, reading, or simply escaping the demands of daily life.

Important Notice:
These particulars are subject to vendor approval. Whilst every care has been taken with the preparation of these Sales Particulars complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed and they do not constitute a contract or part of one. David Cosby Chartered Surveyors have not conducted a survey of the premises, nor have we tested services, appliances, equipment, or fittings within the property and therefore no guarantee can be made that they are in good working order. No assumption should be made that the property has all necessary statutory approvals and consents such as planning and building regulations approval. Any measurements given within the particulars are approximate and photographs are provided for general information and do not infer that any item shown is included in the sale. Any plans provided are for illustrative purposes only and are not to scale. In all cases, prospective purchasers should verify matters for themselves by way of independent inspection and enquiries. Any comments made herein on the condition of the property are provided for guidance only and should not be relied upon.