Nevill Holt

Tucked away in the Leicestershire hamlet of Nevill Holt is a spectacular stone-built home with sublime views of tranquil, rolling countryside. A barn carefully converted and extended into the perfect space for family living, on the ground floor the dwelling boasts a delightful blend of the old and modern across its entrance hall, games room, snug, sitting room, kitchen diner, boot room, utility room and two WCs, while the first floor offers six bedrooms — three of which have en-suites and one is utilised as a study – and bathroom. The abode also usefully benefits from attached garages, storage rooms, and stables, as well as a separate modern office, an expansive but low-maintenance garden, a paddock adjoining a beautiful coppice of trees, a children’s play area, and an internal courtyard. From the property’s peaceful position, a stone’s throw from the Nevill Holt Opera, there is easy access to pretty villages such as Medbourne as well as the towns of Market Harborough (with its main line train station into London in an hour), Corby, and Uppingham, all offering a wealth of amenities.

Part of a hamlet of around 10 properties, Barn Owl House holds a serene setting that enjoys the perfect balance of no passing traffic whilst still being able to reach the centre of nearby towns in 15 minutes. Turning on to the dwelling’s driveway, one immediately feels its welcoming nature. Pulling in and sneaking around the side of the property, the view opens up to an unobstructed, picturesque landscape.

Stepping into the light and bright home, one begins in the spacious entrance hall, from which you can see straight through to and access the internal courtyard, with its olive tree — a lovely sun trap all the year round. With a combination of tiled and wooden flooring and painted in Farrow & Ball’s ‘Setting Plaster’, the hall instantly exudes a warm aura and introduces you to the soothing decorative palette found throughout the house via Farrow & Ball neutrals and soft pops of colour. To the right of the front door is a WC, followed by a games room with a large log-burning inglenook fireplace, original beams, and open brickwork, which could also lend itself as a formal dining room if desired.

Crossing back over the entrance hall a snug is discovered with a door to the internal courtyard, attractive truss, and unique, painted brick feature wall, with plenty of spots for trinkets and photos, surrounding a log-burner. The owners believe this space used to host an old bread oven many years ago! The sitting room is next with its classic, cosy, open fire, beam, built-in bookshelves and storage, and two sets of bi-fold doors opening out to the garden. From here, the kitchen diner is accessed with its fresh, modern look that wonderfully maintains a splash of traditional ambience thanks to handcrafted wooden kitchen cabinets, a Belfast sink and Bertazzoni oven, above which a beam runs overhead. Worth noting are the stunning, vintage, antique mirror tiles behind the oven, acting as a splashback, and adding extra visual intrigue to the room. 

Alongside ample worktop space, the huge island is a treat for both eager cooks and those who appreciate social kitchens thanks to its bar seating. With handy plug sockets integrated, the island also features the biggest size of its worktop that can be purchased in one piece. Flowing into the orangery, which floods the room with light, a dining area is accompanied by skylights, a touch of exposed stone, and sliding doors that bring the glorious outside vista in. 

Returning to the entrance hall, a staircase winds up to the first floor’s landing. Initially one can find a study, featuring a sink and cupboard, that could suit a nursery, while to the left, up a few steps, is a charming bathroom with a four piece suite, across from what is currently a spare bedroom, followed by “the best pre-teen bedroom!” Indeed, the space stretches over the garage to present two sections, beginning with a sitting room which is divided by a small wall from the bed and everything past it. There are also beams, exposed stone and a slat ceiling to admire. Wandering back to the landing to explore the remainder of the first floor, a further trio of bedrooms await. The first, with soft green walls, is a large bedroom for the owners’ son, with fitted wardrobes, a high ceiling, beams, a fantastic view over the garden, and a four piece en-suite. The second, in a calming blue, is currently another spare bedroom, with a three piece en-suite that has recently been replaced. The final bedroom is the capacious master with fitted wardrobes, a four piece en-suite, and relaxing views from bed over the garden — an ideal way to wake up every morning.

Additionally connected to the house is a double-bay garage, storage room plumbed with an outside washing machine, and two stables which the owners have used for ponies in the past. The abode also presents a modern, separate office and further storage. Touring the garden at the rural retreat, one will see an expansive lawn offering plenty of space for children and pets to run around on, ending in a ha-ha. This leads on to the paddock, neighbouring a coppice of trees, and the blissful countryside beyond. While the low-maintenance garden is mainly laid to lawn, work has recently been completed to plant a bed of shade-bearing plants and shrubs accompanied by a winding path from the top of the garden gate down into the woods. The haven also holds a children’s play area, which is hedged off and wood chipped, and a large patio.