Waterways Upwell | | PE14 9BL NEW HORIZONS

A handsome, early Edwardian house sitting on almost ten acres in the West Fens, once a gooseberry farm owned and lived in by the Lister family, large landowners at the time as the property’s old deeds convey, has recently been sympathetically extended and fully refurbished to provide an extensive, contemporary family home, with recently added equestrian facilities.

INSIDE

• A superb blend of family living and Equestrian facilities • Total grounds of almost 10 acres (stms) with Paddocks and formal Gardens • Wealth of outbuildings including Stable Block, open fronted Barn and Field Shelters • Flexible accommodation with open plan Kitchen/ Dining/Family Room • Five Bedrooms, Three Reception Rooms and Utility Room • Total Accommodation extends to 2662sq.ft • Energy Rating E

On the Cambridgeshire and Norfolk borders, just outside the pretty village of Upwell that extends along the old course of the River Nene to merge with , this property is presented in superb order and offers a country lifestyle where working from home would be ideal; it’s in a peaceful spot surrounded by grazing and arable land, and yet close to a thriving community with schools and an abundance of activities for a growing family’s needs. Alternatively, with its direct rail service to London Kings Cross is only ten minutes’ drive away for those wishing to commute but enjoy living in a tranquil, rural environment.

Festival of Light The property is spacious and airy inside decorated in a neutral palette throughout, with the big southwest

KEY FEATURES facing bay windows in the dining room and sitting room to the original front bathed in sunshine, whilst the L-shaped open plan kitchen diner at the back is triple aspect and has views over the garden, stables and paddocks. The sitting room retains a touch of its origins featuring a period fireplace - perfect for a cosy night in over a roaring fire. Conversely, the modern kitchen benefits underfloor heating beneath the stone tiles, which is supplemented by eye-catching mirror-finish vertical radiators. All clean lines with contemporary units providing an array of drawers and cupboards clad in granite worktops, there are two Siemens eye-level ovens and a central island with wraparound granite incorporating an electric hob, extractor fan over. Areas are for dining and for comfortable seating making it a wonderful hub of the home. “We love entertaining and it’s been a fantastic place for that with so much space,” enthuses the owner.

To one side, the dual aspect utility room is large enough to accommodate two washing machines - ideal for keeping animal paraphernalia separate from family - as well as a tumble dryer, and is fitted with a sink within a good run of worktop with more storage.

Business or Pleasure The new extension, which has been constructed so it blends in perfectly with the old exterior, leads through an inner hall with a ground floor shower room, to a vast, well illuminated space with windows

KEY FEATURES

to the front and back, oak flooring underfoot. Already with a locking internal door, a self-contained annex could easily be created by partitioning off a bedroom, particularly since there is a separate gate and entrance to this side of the property, or similarly, it could act as a superb area from which to run a business such as a beauty or hairdressing salon, or for yoga or fitness classes to suggest just a few.

Generous Bedrooms Upstairs, the spacious and contemporary minimalist feeling continues. The master bedroom is huge at nearly twenty feet long with a large en suite that contains a bath and separate shower as well as a walk-in dressing room. Three of the other bedrooms are also generous, whilst even the fifth is large enough to take a small double bed. The impressive, fully tiled, family bathroom accommodates a separate walk-in shower - wet room style - and a contemporary elliptical bath.

OUTSIDE

Approached from a country lane on the outskirts of the village, the house is set well back behind hedging either side of which are gates that lead onto a large gravel drive and lawns to the front. Further gates each side take you to the rear of the property with an extensive stable block and a huge, open-fronted barn on the right, and a large shed/workshop on the left.

KEY FEATURES

Equestrian Facilities The attractive timber stabling was constructed around 2017 and provides a run of six stables, the end one a foaling box, flanking a large tack room and separate feed room, each having a sink meaning it wouldn’t be difficult to add a lavatory and/or shower if desired. With automatically filling water troughs both in the stables and in the paddocks, and five metal field shelters, plus the huge barn and further workshop and storage shed, this is a very well appointed equestrian property. Grazing is currently divided into six paddocks with the first two surrounded by post and rail fencing. A grassy perimeter encompasses the entirety and “makes a wonderful and convenient circuit for exercising the dog,” says the owner. “Lots of people here have horses as there is such good grass; two neighbours closeby have their own ménages, one giving riding lessons, and everyone is very helpful and friendly. As we, ourselves, don’t have horses we have rented the land out to a farmer who has had sheep grazing here, but equally it could be an excellent livery yard.”

Embrace a Rural Lifestyle! “We came from an urban area and we have fallen in love with the countryside and the lifestyle it offers! We love the privacy and the space; the far reaching views with incredible sunsets, the fresh air and being immersed in nature – we often see deer or swans with their cygnets on the river; it’s a great area for bringing up children as there’s so much going on in the way of after school activities and clubs at minimal cost. There is a choice of primary schools in Upwell and Outwell; further options and secondary schools are

in Downham Market and Wisbech (about twelve minutes away), Littleport, Ely, and King’s Lynn (about twenty-five minutes). Several school buses pass through the village.

“It’s a thriving and very friendly community; we have three convenience stores and post offices in the locality with a new Co-op under construction, various take-aways and lots of other amenities nearby. You can hire a canoe on the river, or eat out at the local pubs and restaurants, or be more solitary if you prefer. It was a Godsend living here in lockdown – we set up a big swimming pool in the summer, and loved lighting the barbecue for meals. We highly recommend this place if you want to work from home or you too want a change of lifestyle!” they conclude.

OUTSIDE

On The Doorstep... The extremely pretty village of Upwell along the riverbanks, is a lively community with its primary school just one mile away, a village hall, a shop with a post office, two butchers’, and two pubs. For secondary schools, Downham Market has a good state school, with buses stopping almost outside the house, and independent ones are the reputed King’s School, Ely, and Wisbech Grammar School, even nearer. How Far Is It To?.. The historical market town of Wisbech, which is approx. 6 miles to the north west, offering supermarkets, a swimming pool and sports centre, library, museums, a theatre and secondary schools – the state-funded Thomas Clarkson Academy and the sought after Wisbech Grammar School. The Hanseatic town of King’s Lynn with its excellent shopping and leisure facilities is less than 30 minutes away with a direct rail link to Cambridge and London. March station with a direct rail link to Stansted Airport is 20 minutes to the south whereas Peterborough is a 40 minute drive away with rail links giving a fast and regular service to London with a journey time less than an hour or to the Midlands and North. Directions... From the centre of Upwell, from Town Street turn left into (sign posted Littleport) and immediately left again adjacent the Church. Follow this road almost to the end where the property is found on the left hand side.

Norfolk Country Properties. Registered in and Wales No. 06777456. Registered Office - 15B Regatta Quay, Key Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1FH copyright © 2016 Fine & Country Ltd. Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Printed

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