It has been well documented in the press that the country house market bounced back this summer. A number of purchasers took stock of their property requirements and decided to take advantage of the reduced stamp duty and, more importantly, reconsider where they really needed to and indeed wanted to live.
Whilst communications undoubtedly remain one of the top priorities the need for a quick commute to the office has dropped a little further down the list. Buyers are more open minded when it comes to the geographic location but villages with a vibrant local community focused on the pub, church, village shop or school have attracted particular interest. Lockdown may well have shown just how much we depend on friends and neighbours, whether they are just over the garden wall or up the lane.
The passion for gardening has also blossomed, gardens are no longer just somewhere for the children to play or simply sitting in at the end of the day with a cool glass of wine. Being restricted on what we can do or where we can go has brought out the creative spirit in many people; the appreciation of the countryside and a beautiful view, not to mention the reward of growing and then eating your own vegetables.
Period properties more often than not provide not only generous sized gardens but also houses with character and flexible accommodation. What in the past were described as “domestic offices” i.e. kitchens, pantries and sculleries, etc have more often than not been opened up to provide spacious kitchen/breakfast rooms while other lesser rooms have readily been turned into playrooms, a snug, home office or sitting room for the children; leaving the usually well proportioned reception rooms for more elegant or formal living. For families who have gone through months of home schooling, whilst trying to work from home, the idea of space seems particularly appealing.
A property that seems to tick almost every box is Rectory Farm in the historic village of Pulloxhill, Bedfordshire. The house is close to the heart of the village and benefits from little passing traffic as it lies off a no through road. The Grade II Listed building dates from the 17th century and has gradually evolved, like so much English domestic architecture, over succeeding centuries. It has been sensitively renovated by the current owners.
The accommodation is spacious and includes a 26’ drawing room with large inglenook fireplace, large kitchen/breakfast room in addition to a formal dining room and a study as well as a first floor 26’ x 16’ snooker room. The beautiful galleries landing has with plenty of exposed timbers, a feature that can be found throughout the property, and a reading room/library. There are three bedrooms and two bath/shower rooms on the first floor and two further bedrooms on the second floor which would make an ideal teenage chillout area.
Outside there is an excellent range of outbuildings including workshop, garden store, garaging, and open fronted barns. The house is set in approximately an acre of easily maintained grounds and there is a wonderful vista across open countryside. The ancient village of Pulloxhill is mentioned in the Domesday Survey and has a church, an inn, as well as a local school. It is situated approximately 5 miles from junction 12 of the M1, providing easy access to London, about, 45 miles, and Bedford is some 14 miles, and the nearest station is Flitwick about 2 miles away. Guide price £1,350,000. For more information contact the Woburn office by email or by calling 01525 290641.
Dawn Carritt
Country House and Estates Office
020 7664 6646
October 2020
