Watling Street, Hockliffe, Leighton Buzzard, LU7

LOCATED IN A STANDALONE SETTING WITH A 0.5 ACRE PLOT - A FORMER DUKE OF BEDFORD ESTATE LODGE WHICH HAS BEEN SYMPATHETICALLY AND STYLISHLY RENOVATED TO A HIGH STANDARD. Built in 1864 Battlesden Lodge was one of the original gatehouses on the avenue entrance to Battlesden House. Forming part of the Duke of Bedford's estate, the property is Grade II Listed and now privately owned and has been subject to an extensive renovation project in our client's ownership since 2014. Echoing its era of construction, the Lodge has tall, high-pitched ceilings, mullioned windows and fireplaces along with modern benefits of new central heating, new wiring, double glazing and replastering. Internally, there are well-proportioned living rooms and bedrooms with a quality kitchen, sanitary ware, porcelain tiling, wooden and carpeted floor coverings. The plot is approximately 0.5 of an acre with extensive lawns and mature trees along with an attractive gated entrance and drive providing generous parking and a double garage with car port. Located on Watling Street (A5), the house offers quick and easy access to Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard and Milton Keynes with train links to Euston from 32 minutes. THE ACCOMMODATION Entering the Lodge via a solid wood entrance door, the reception hall is an impressive area with double height vaulted ceilings and staircase with balustrade and a fine full-length window to the front aspect. A tall walk around fireplace flows into the dining area which has an inset log burning stove and bay window. Leading to the left the sitting room is an attractive triple aspect room with central decorative exposed brick chimney breast. From the dining room the kitchen has been smartly fitted with a shaker range of base and wall units with marble work surfaces, inset butler sink unit and a central cooker housing and mantle with space for a range style cooker. Integrated appliances include an under counter fridge and dishwasher. A useful utility room is adjacent and has a second sink unit and space for washing machine, tumble dryer and storage cupboards with one housing a gas fired Vaillant boiler serving the heating and hot water. Taking advantage of its south westerly aspect, double doors from the kitchen flow into the new conservatory/family room which is heated for all year use with views over the garden and a stylish lantern roof light. A cloakroom with a period suite completes the ground floor. FIRST FLOOR All the bedrooms and family bathroom radiate off the landing. The main bedroom is dual aspect with views to the rear and has a trap door to the loft. A bespoke dressing room is fitted with a good range of hanging rails, sliding drawers and shelving whilst the ensuite is a particularly good size and features a shaped free-standing bath, large walk-in shower cubicle, floating wash hand basin and wc. There is complimentary tiling to the floor and wet areas along with a heated towel rail. The second bedroom also has its own ensuite shower room along with a built-in cupboard and views to the front. Another double, the third bedroom faces to the front and has a versatile inter connecting room which can be used as a study area or additional dressing room to suite your lifestyle. There is also a second access to the loft from here. Finally, the family bathroom comprises a "P" shaped bath with shower facility, wash basin, wc and a useful laundry cupboard with shelving. OUTSIDE The property is approached via impressive wrought iron double gates with period brick walling to both sides. A large gravel driveway provides ample parking for several vehicles and leads to a purpose-built double garage with twin entrance doors power, light and an attached car port. The gardens sweep around the Lodge and are mainly laid to lawn and interspersed by assorted fruit and mature trees with a good-sized sun terrace adjacent to the conservatory and a central rockery area and a further secluded terrace towards the end of the garden. All the boundaries are enclosed and a summer house is included in the sale. PROPERTY INFORMATION Services: Mains water, private drainage and electricity - heating via LP Gas. A water softener is installed. Local Authority: Central Bedfordshire Council. Tel: 0300 300 8000. Outgoings: Council Tax Band "D". Tenure: Freehold. EPC Rating: Exempt Viewing: Strictly by appointment through the sole agents Jackson-Stops. 1 Market Place, Woburn, MK17 9PZ. Tel - 01525 290 641. DIRECTIONS LU7 9QL From Woburn village take the road to Leighton Buzzard and after 2 miles at the roundabout take the first exit signposted Dunstable A5. Follow this for approximately 1.5 miles and the Lodge is set on the left-hand side.