A Lasting Legacy Soham | Ely | Cambridgeshire a LASTING LEGACY
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A Lasting Legacy Soham | Ely | Cambridgeshire A LASTING LEGACY On the western side of East Anglia, stretching up into the Midlands and covering an area of fifteen hundred square miles across the four counties of Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, is the uniquely striking, flat landscape of the low-lying Fenlands. Artificially drained, and subsequently farmed on a large scale for hundreds of years, it is an agriculturally prosperous region, with the oldest evidence of human settlements dating back to the Mesolithic era. Between Newmarket and the Isle of Ely, the parish of Soham is known to have been inhabited in the bronze age, but owes its name to its later Saxon residents who called it ‘saegham’, meaning ‘promontory in an inland sea’. Within the heart of this ancient town sits this substantial, Grade II listed, seven bedroom family home with a fascinating and extensive history all of its own, which even includes time as a vicarage! striking seven bedroom link detached period home dating back to early 19C. Steeped with history & bursting with a wealth of period features, this home has been A sympathetically restored providing versatile accommodation, whilst preserving its historical charm. Three reception rooms encase the welcoming entrance hall. A stylish dual aspect kitchen/breakfast room looks out over the south-facing gardens and the utility kitchen, cellar and scullery offer further practical space. There are seven first floor bedrooms served by a family bathroom, shower room and two cloakrooms. Set on an overall plot approaching 0.50 of an acre with large parking area, the opportunities continue; as the flint former stable/tack room/store has planning permission in place for conversion into annexe accommodation (East Cambridge District Council REF 20/00214/FUL). Standing proudly in a bustling town position, yet in contrast you do not have to venture far to explore the beautiful countryside. The present owners are a small family comprising three generations, the oldest of whom recalls first visiting the area in her early twenties. “I spent some time in Cambridge and was really impressed by a trip in a sports car out to beautiful Ely Cathedral with the crops in the fields and the wonderful waterways.” Having relocated from Somerset for family work reasons, the family soon found the Cathedral to be a worthy replacement for Wells, while Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds quickly filled the cultural gap left by regular trips to the Theatre Royal in Bath. They looked at various living arrangements to suit their requirements, none of which seemed right, until they came across this property which, they say, “was features to be enjoyed throughout the property, from the flagstone flooring and high skirting an answer to our dream.” That was in 2016, and despite being in obvious need of a little boards, to the sash windows and shutters, all the way up to the intricate ceiling work. As we TLC, they could quickly see beneath the building’s thin veneer of neglect, and into the hear, “The house provides a wonderful display of old doorhandles, keys and locks, indicative characterful heart of its big personality! Over the years, the house began to slowly reveal of different periods. Builders have been enthralled by the Iroko wooden doors in the dining itself, architecturally and historically; “It has been a Pandora’s box, as we have uncovered room etc. while joiners have been really interested studying the construction of the original and understood more about the property. As it had been in the custodianship of about ten cupboards. The ceilings in the dining room, the earliest reception room, retains the cross owners since 1654, many features have remained, while others added to and extended it beam with square panelling and pretty cornicing, perhaps influenced by one of Inigo Jones with changing needs and fashions.” Masquerading as Georgian, its facade conceals a much geometric patterns around 1700’s, while the drawing room has similar more refined stucco earlier, partially timber framed construction, sections of which date from as far back as the ceiling, again in square formation. The fireplaces have mostly been retained with a beautiful seventeenth century. turquoise one from the Art Deco period uncovered under layers of paint.” Unlocking The Past Charm In Abundance Like so many houses of this calibre, Cross Green House is arranged on an east-west axis, so Packed to the rafters with period charm, there was still plenty of room for our vendors the principal rooms all face north or south to maximise the sunlight. The front and rear doors to make improvements to the house and leave their own unique mark on its colourful align, providing a lovely view of the rear gardens beyond. Remodelled in the early C19. with history. Inspiration for choosing paint colours came for the palette of a well known French two storeys in Gault brick and plaster rendered with low pitch, hipped slate roof and end Impressionist. “The colour schemes of the property are drawn from Monet’s house focusing stacks. It has a range of five original recessed hung sashes of twelve panes each with four on the simple and beautiful colours of nature, while respecting the fabric of the building.” larger hung sashes with margin lights on either side of the central doorway. The interior has In addition to the new paintwork, in their five years as custodians the family have installed the original paving to the hall and an open-string staircase of two flights and landing with a new kitchen/breakfast room, shower room, renovated windows and sills, internal door square section balusters. frames and the exterior porticos, added insulation, restored and refurbished chimney stacks, regularly swept and maintained the fireplaces, and so much more. With two kitchens and Running centrally through the property downstairs is the hallway, greeted at either end by multiple staircases, the house is extremely flexible, allowing each generation (and the family two equally grand formal portico doorways, making it difficult to distinguish the front of the dog) their space, privacy, and above all, peace and quiet! “It’s great for the baby; the hall is house from the back! There is a logical explanation for this as we are told, “The south portico wide enough that I can wheel the pram straight in from the street, and then open up the topped with the large circular topped sash window above, that had received guests for many double doors to the back and place him under the shade of the portico when he’s asleep. The years was replaced by the northern [current front entrance] when the fashion was to greet dog also enjoys plenty of space with a fully enclosed garden to roam in, and we can wash female guests in the shade to protect their complexion. Both door-cases are of engaged him off in the boot room after a good walk before coming in to the rest of the house.” It is also Doric columns with entablature, with the front door consisting of two and a letter box added a home beautifully suited to entertaining, with it’s large reception rooms, generous oven and when the Post Office started.” These are just two examples from a whole plethora of period central island in the main kitchen. The colour schemes of the property are drawn from Monet’s house focusing on the simple and beautiful colours of nature, while respecting the fabric of the building”. Your Own Paradise One of the property’s biggest draws for the family was the exterior space it provides. The mature, secluded garden is south facing, something of a rarity for Soham. “The main road through the town runs north to south, therefore many of the properties along it have east and west facing gardens, so we are very fortunate to have a garden orientated this way.” Our vendors have appreciated this even more throughout the recent lock-downs. “Within the home there are plenty of rooms to make an office out of when working, but also we’re in the middle of town, which is great for convenience, but once you are in the garden you are completely surrounded by either the house, out-buildings, or brick and flint walls, so it feels like your own little paradise in the middle of town.” The garden is naturally divided too. “There is a formal section at the top, followed by a shrubbery, and then an orchard at the bottom, so you can find areas at the end of the garden and not even be able to see the house, which has been lovely during the pandemic when we’ve needed a quiet place to be; it’s as if you have gone somewhere else.” We also hear that the garden is perfectly suited to a game or two of croquet! Accessed through a gate to the side of the property there is ample drive and garage space for cars but most obvious is the large building to the left, an old Coach House and Stables with original tack room, that has been granted planning permission for conversion to create additional family or guest accommodation. Similarly, it would make a fantastic studio and/or workspace, creating even more flexibility for everyone. An Air of History Within the garden, it is thought that a section of wall structure was once part of the Cathedral built many centuries ago, but later destroyed by the Danes. There is also talk of a hidden tunnel running from the grounds, and a secret door inside the house too! It’s the very stuff stories and legends are made of and any family would certainly enjoy adding their own tales into the mix.