Fenny Lane, Shearsby, LE17

Yew Tree House presents as an attractive, well-built cottage from the kerb side on Fenny Lane. It is certainly that but so, so much more. Dating from the 1700’s, it was originally a farmhouse until the present owners in 2013 realised its potential. With a vision to create a home suited for its rural location and contemporarily equipped for the future, they extended and modernised the entire property, the result is a prestigious, bespoke four bedroom house in a prime location.

The property is directly approached from the road and has a block paved drive at the side leading to double wooden gates. A car could be parked here but beyond the gates the drive becomes gravelled and leads to a double garage where there is ample room for turning and parking multiple vehicles. Fencing, mature shrubbery, hedging and native trees provide seclusion and privacy surrounding a landscaped garden to the rear of the house.

Yew Tree House and grounds are deceptively large and while certainly appealing from initial observation, it is only when entered and explored that the size and beautiful interior can be fully appreciated: it is a surprise for all the right reasons.

Roof tops and chimney stacks

The house is traditionally built with red brick walls, rustic chimney stacks, cross gabled roofs and contemporary window frames. Within the oak and glass portico, there is an oak seat and the thresholds have been kept and reused from the original farmhouse. Slate floors are used throughout, including the patio outside the living room.

Yew Tree House is built on two levels and has a cellar. There are presently four bedrooms – two with ensuite- a large bathroom, two reception rooms, a separate shower room and a generous open plan kitchen/ dinning/ living space. The house is tastefully decorated using coordinated features and materials of the highest specification. It is in a quiet location as Shearsby is reached from a branch road off the main A5199 and avoids through traffic. This is a delightful residence that has been cared for and nurtured to exacting standards and richly benefits from the rural charm of its position.

Extended and improved to exacting standards

Undeniably, the house is impressively large and individual. On entry into the dining room, cottage features remain and the focal point is the open fire place. The exposed brick chimney and integrated oak shelving compliment the exposed beams overhead and create a room that mingles traditional characteristics with a contemporary style.

Light permeates the ground floor ahead, as doorways have been widened and the length of the house can be seen with views of the patio and garden. Here, the benefit of singularly using slate flooring is apparent as it links the areas and the overall impression is of space and a relaxed airiness.

Next door, the snug is decorated in a similar style but has a log burner. It retains its door and provides a cosy, private retreat away from the openness of the extended rear parts of the house: a perfect place to read in or watch the television.

The hall crosses the house from the shower room to the right and the staircase to the left. The staircase is a bespoke fusion of steel, glass and French oak treads. It appears to float between levels and is cast in light from the thermal translucent glass block wall it rises against. The staircase leads to the cellar beneath the house which is suitable for storage and above to the first floor landing, where a feature beam runs along the width of the house and displays lighting. Directly opposite the staircase, a shower room is fitted with walk in shower, vanity unit and toilet. This enables the snug to be used as a fifth ground floor bedroom with convenient bathing facilities, if required. The bathing facilities throughout Yew Tree House are modern, stylish and well maintained. White suites are complimented with tiling to floors and walls, and high quality fixtures and fittings are standard.

A modern living space with a focus on relaxed entertaining

Stepping down into the kitchen from the hall, the impressive open plan living space is organised into purposeful zones. The kitchen has an individually designed island for informal dining and a very large lounge area, presently arranged to benefit from a media wall and a wall corner log burner. Floor to ceiling translucent panes of glass along two elevations begin here – the master bedroom suite is immediately above – and full height bifolding doors that open onto a secluded patio area.

The central island houses an induction hob, a sink with boiling water tap and waste bin cupboard. A curved Corian worktop provides seating for eight people and a full height wall of cupboards includes a small pantry area. Further worktops permit food preparation and spaces for equipment while integrated appliances such as a fridge freezer and eye level electric oven and steam oven are also included. A wine rack, two large larder cupboards, a double door cupboard for coats and a feature bookcase made from French oak includes two large cutlery drawers and completes the designer kitchen.

A separate utility/laundry room is accessed along a glass corridor and provides additional room for grocery or appliance requirements. It is fitted with a sink unit, cupboards and plumbing for a washing machine and condensing tumble dryer. There is a separate toilet and hand basin next door.

To the side of the patio outside of the living room, the corridor presents as a wall of glazed glass and hides the rooms within but means that the facilities are within easy reach. This corridor leads to the double garage which is currently used as a gym. It has an alcove suitable for a fridge and freezer, and hooks for coats. Electrically operated garage doors allow its original use to be recommissioned but a single steel side door equally permits other options.
To the first floor and views of the garden

There are four double, carpeted bedrooms on the first floor. The master suite to the rear, has patio doors opening onto a balcony. This permits views over the sedum roof of the garage/gym and garden beyond. It is a particularly luxurious room and has a vaulted ceiling, a fully glazed gable end and a pair of integrated wardrobes. Its large ensuite has spiralled glass partitioning, a walk in shower, toilet and vanity unit.

The bedroom across the landing shares similar views, while bedroom three is to the front. This double aspect room looks to the village green, renowned for its preservation as an original feature of the village landscape and protected by residential ownership to remain unchanged. The remaining fourth bedroom is fitted with integral wardrobes and has an ensuite consisting of walk in shower, toilet and vanity unit.

The substantial family bathroom is equipped with a large quadrant shower and corner bath, vanity unit and toilet. As with many aspects of this property, the bathing facilities have been totally renewed, redecorated and accessorised to a high specification providing beautifully designed rooms with white suites, contemporary lighting and pristine tiling.
All curtains, light fittings and carpets on all levels are included within the sale of this property.
Wander through the garden

The garden is another beautiful asset of Yew Tree House. From the roadside it would be difficult to appreciate the length of its plot or the variation of the landscaping included. It is well stocked with herbaceous borders and specimen trees, including a white mulberry, laburnum and many acers. An artificial turf lawn, patios and walk ways have been incorporated, and a bridge leads over a natural pond to the largest southwest facing patio and barbecue area. The dining area looks back to views of the village and there is a hot tub. Beyond this partitioned space, a shaded garden leads to a further vegetable garden with raised beds, a fruit cage, cold frames, a green house and sheds.

Location

The beautiful village of Shearsby is set in the South Leicestershire countryside approximately 9 miles South of Leicester and equidistance to Lutterworth and the medieval market town of Market Harborough, which both provide extensive facilities and a range of independent boutique shopping, restaurants, bars and hotels as well as supermarkets including a Waitrose. Recreational activities are plentiful for all age groups with nearby golf courses including Ullesthorpe, Lutterworth, Market Harborough, and Kilworth Springs. Situated between the two towns is the innovative Kilworth open-air theatre set under sail-like canopies within the grounds of Kilworth House Hotel.

Although protected as a Conservation Area, Shearsby is by no means dormant – it is a lively, active and busy community with the Village Green, the Old School House converted into the village hall, St Mary Magdalene Church and The Chandlers Public House forming the heart of the village.

The area boasts an excellent standard of schools, with the local primary schools at both Arnesby and nearby Gilmorton. As well as a good range of state secondary schools in nearby Lutterworth, private schooling is available nearby at Rugby School and Leicester Grammar School (Great Glen).