The Old Dairy Farmhouse

The Vineyard, Bell Street| Claybrooke Magna| | LE17 5AL

“I remember looking out of the lounge window on Christmas Day and seeing a pheasant and a flock of partridges on the lawn, not too far from the pear tree!”

The Old Dairy Farmhouse

What the vendor says… “I have always been attracted to the unusual and The Old Dairy Farmhouse will always remain the most extraordinary house I have ever seen. After my first viewing, I could’t stop thinking about it. It was, for me, the ultimate house for life with its nooks, crannies, beautiful oak beams and Grade II-listed status. I also loved the fact that so few of the villagers actually know it’s there. And even fewer have seen what lies beyond those sturdy green gates. I like to think of it as Claybrooke Magna’s best-kept secret. Fondly nick-named “The Tudor Cowshed” by the listed buildings department at Council, its history spans more than 500 years. The house also earns a mention in Buildings of and Wales, a book compiled by architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner, although the book is now out of print and sadly, I lost my only copy. Every room exudes a historical feel, and if you look closely, you can see the name John Smart engraved in one of the bricks in the lounge fireplace. I am told he was the man who built the original part of the house. This west side of the house dates back to the 1500s, as the smaller-sized bricks suggest. And talking of bricks, when the house was renovated in the late 80s, its listed building status meant that every brick involved had to be numbered and put back in exactly the same place. It’s a house for all seasons: warm and cosy in the winter, and from spring, as the garden comes to life, the house is pleasantly cool. The most prolific garden inhabitants are the frogs. Usually on the first dark, rainy night in March, scores make their annual pilgrimage up the Vineyard into the garden, finishing at the pond, where they lay their spawn, settle in and keep the slug population in check. Many a time on a dark, rainy spring night, I’ve stopped my car half way up the Vineyard to move frogs out of the way! Without doubt, my favourite time of year at the farmhouse is Christmas. On our first Christmas, we invited 10 guests to stay for several days. We bought the biggest tree we could fit in the lounge, and decked all of the window sills throughout the house with holly and ivy from nearby hedgerows. I remember looking out of the lounge window on Christmas Day and seeing a pheasant and a flock of partridges on the lawn, not too far from the pear tree! The house is also a favourite among children who love exploring; this has to be the ultimate location for an afternoon of hide and seek, especially because of a secret door linking two bedrooms on the upper floor. It’s a remarkable yet cosy house to live in. And it’s most certainly a one-off.”

Tucked away on a back lane giving a feeling of privacy and seclusion, yet close to the heart of the charming south-west Leicestershire village of Claybrooke Magna, The Old Dairy Farmhouse is an extraordinary property boasting an impressive 434 square metres, of accommodation dating back in part to the 1500s. Grade II-listed for its historic significance and sitting on a generous plot including well-stocked mature borders, lawns and patio areas, the property is approached through an electric security gate. This leads onto a large gravel driveway, providing parking for several vehicles. An archway leads to an additional gravel parking area and garaging for 3 cars. Retaining a wealth of original features, this unusual old building offers the buyer the opportunity to acquire their own slice of historic rural England on the Leicestershire -Warwickshire border. Spread over 3 floors, The Old Dairy Farmhouse - with its 3 reception rooms, 7/8 bedrooms, ample en-suite facilities, snooker room, 2 offices, wine cellar and triple garage would make an ideal home for a growing family with sufficient office space from which to run a business. Alternatively, and subject to the necessary consent, the property could also be considered for a variety of commercial or semi-commercial uses.

In the late 1980s, The Old Dairy Farmhouse underwent a major refurbishment. Under the watchful eye of the Harborough District Council’s listed buildings department, a specialist firm of local builders painstakingly and meticulously restored the old place to its former glory allowing many more generations to enjoy its historic charm. Every time a wonderful old building like this changes ownership and alterations are made, another layer of history is added and no doubt the new owners will want to make their mark too. With its 3 separate staircases from the ground floor up to the first floor and another 2 up to the second floor, the secret doorway between two of the second floor rooms and the wealth of oak beams throughout the house, The Old Dairy Farmhouse is full of charm and intrigue and is crying out for someone to fall in love with it the way that its current owner did all those years ago. It sits on a plot that a home like this deserves. With land to 4 sides, the garden area- mainly south facing - has been landscaped and maintained in a manner in keeping with the rest of the property. Patio areas close to the house are ideal for summer entertaining. Lawns divided by gravel paths leading to the pond have mature well-stocked borders providing screening and giving a feeling of privacy.

Claybrooke Magna is a village in the Harborough district of Leicestershire close to the A5 trunk road. The village is located between junctions 20 and 21 of the M1 with the M69 providing access to the M6. The city of Leicester and the towns of Rugby, Hinckley, Lutterworth and Market Harborough are easily accessible and travel by rail to London is within 1 hour from nearby Rugby station. With Birmingham airport less than 40 miles away and airport approximately 20 miles, Claybrooke Magna is arguably one of the best commuter locations in the area. With the recent upgrade to high-speed broadband, The Old Dairy Farmhouse is the ideal base for anyone wanting to run a business from home or commute around the UK. The highly-regarded village pub, The Pig in Muck, has a good local reputation, not least for running its own micro brewery producing a range of beers that are offered for sale behind the bar. Schooling is provided for primary and secondary school children in and around the village, in both the private and state sectors. An internal viewing of this intriguing old house is highly recommended in order to fully appreciate the scale and layout of the property on offer.

Useful Information

Ground Floor Tenure Freehold

Heating Gas central heating

Drainage Mains

Garden Direction South & West

Council Tax Band F

Local Authority Harborough District Council

First Floor Second Floor

As well as being your single most valuable asset, your home carries a high level of emotional attachment, holding Wigston Office many precious memories. The way you feel about it goes way beyond bricks and mortar. 67 Long Street Wigston Leicestershire So it’s little wonder that when the time comes to sell, it can become stressful if you don’t instruct the right LE18 2AJ agent. 0116 288 3872 Many agents excel in selling properties at the mid- to lower end of the market, but few truly understand what [email protected] it takes to sell a one-off, unique property. Syston Office 1242 - 1244 Melton Road All our staff are trained specifically to understand the significant difference which comes hand in hand with Syston finding the right buyer for an exclusive home and bringing it to a successful conclusion for both parties. Leicestershire LE7 2HB Aston & Co Exclusive Homes is justifiably proud of its track record. We also believe we have our marketing strategy just right, particularly when it comes to the Internet, where 90% of property searches begin. 0116 260 7788 [email protected] As an estate agent with a wealth of knowledge and practical experience, Aston & Co Exclusive Homes recognises this. The first few weeks of the marketing process are crucial. If the price isn’t right, then valuable www.astonandco.co.uk time is wasted. And that’s where our expert valuers excel, taking into account a long list of factors and trends, unlike many agents who come up with a figure after a cursory once-over.

At Aston & Co Exclusive Homes, the attention to detail and knowledge needed for a successful sale is there from the very first meeting.

The Agent has not had sight of the title documents and therefore the buyer is advised to obtain verification of the tenure from their solicitor or surveyor. All measurements are approximate. The Fixtures, Fittings & Appliances have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Photographs and floor plans are reproduced for general information and it cannot be inferred that any item shown is included in the sale. You are advised to contact the local authority for details of Council Tax, Business Rates etc. Every care has been taken with the preparation of these Sales Particulars but complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If there is any point, which is of particular importance to you, we will be pleased to check the information for you. These Particulars do not constitute a contract or part of a contract. A883 Ravensworth 01670 713330