Estate Agents Lettings Valuers Mortgages Ratcliffe Lodge, 24 Main Street, Ratcliffe-on-the-Wreake, LE7 4SN • Detached Former School House • Four Beds, Bathroom, En-Suite • Three Reception Rooms • Garage & Parking • Breakfast Kitchen & Utility • Rear Garden With Field Views Formerly 'The Old School House' dating back to 1875, the property has historical links to Louise Burrows (the Headmistress in 1909) who was once engaged to the author D. H. Lawrence. This surprisingly spacious, detached house occupies an elevated plot on the very edge of the village and benefits from extensive off-road parking to an in-and-out driveway, integral garage and mainly lawned rear gardens with delightful views over open fields. The gas centrally heated, UPVC double glazed accommodation comprises reception hall, ground floor shower room, three reception rooms, breakfast kitchen & utility room, four bedrooms (dressing area & en-suite to the master bedroom) & a re-fitted principal bathroom. EPC TBC. £699,950 GENERAL INFORMATION: was converted into a schoolroom and teacher's The property occupies a most attractive rural house; the alterations being carried out by setting on the edge of the sought-after village of Charles North (father of the late Henry North). Ratcliffe-on-the-Wreake (well above the flood An old thatched cottage (demolished some plain of the River Wreake) which is well known years ago to make room for a new house) at the for its popularity in terms of convenience for end of Church Lane, was the original school. ease of access to the centres of Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham and Melton The house has historical connections to Louise Mowbray, the East Midlands International Burrows who was the headmistress in 1909, Airport at Castle Donington, the A46\M1\M69 after her father left Nottingham to live in Quorn. \M42 major road network for travel north, south Louise had met the famous author D. H. and west, and the adjoining Charnwood and Lawrence at Nottingham University College and Quorn Hunt countryside with many scenic was at one time engaged to him to be married country walks and golf courses. after he proposed to her on the Rothley to Quorn train. She was Lawrence's 'prototype' for The combined villages of Ratcliffe-on-the- Ursula in 'The Rainbow', as well as being his Wreake, Rothley, Syston and Sileby offer an inspiration for the poem 'Kisses in the Rain'. excellent range of local amenities including Lawrence caused her much grief when he met shopping for day-to-day needs, schooling for all another woman and left an unhappy Louise, ages, a wide variety of recreational amenities however, she remained devoted to him and in including eighteen hole golf courses at the 1930 visited his grave at Vence in France. Louise Rothley Park and Beedles Lake Golf Clubs, as Burrows eventually moved to a large well as regular transport services by both road Leicestershire school where she was obviously a and rail. very good head teacher and left her mark by her efforts to fight for the rights of women teachers GENERAL DESCRIPTION: and became a key figure in organising meetings Situated on an elevated plot on the edge of this in Leicestershire. In 1940 she married Frederick sought-after village, this detached property was Heath. She retired in 1941 and died in 1962. formerly 'The Old School House' dating back to 1875, having been extensively renovated some DETAILED ACCOMMODATION 35 years ago, and now offering surprisingly spacious accommodation briefly comprising ON THE GROUND FLOOR: reception hall, ground floor shower room, three OVERHEAD CANOPY reception rooms, breakfast kitchen and a utility With access through hardwood front entrance room. To the first floor there are four bedrooms, door to: a re-fitted principal bathroom and the master bedroom also has a dressing area and en-suite RECEPTION HALL bathroom with four-piece white suite. The 18'8 x 7'7 (5.69m x 2.31m) property benefits from mainly lawned rear With UPVC double glazed window to front gardens backing onto open fields, together with elevation fitted with decorative Georgian style an in-and-out driveway providing extensive off- bars, two central heating radiators, wall- road parking and an integral garage. mounted light points, wall-mounted 'HIVE' thermostatic central heating control, triple hanging and shelved cloaks cupboard, ceiling The gas centrally heated, UPVC double glazed light point and staircase rising off to first floor accommodation is set out over two floors, as having store cupboard below. From the Main described below:- Lobby, there is access to all ground floor rooms. HISTORICAL NOTE: Door to: The village school was originally built in 1875 on a plot of land provided by the late Duchess Siorza-Cesarini, who was then Lady of the Manor. Previous to 1875, the school was held in what was formerly the Hall laundry, but sometime in the early forties of the last Century GROUND FLOOR SHOWER ROOM RECEPTION ROOM 2 With three-piece suite comprising shower 12' 3 x 12'10 (3.66m 0.08m x 3.91m) cubicle, wash hand basin and low level w.c. Also With UPVC double glazed window to front with part tiled walls and UPVC sealed unit elevation fitted with decorative Georgian style double obscure glazed window. bars, central heating radiator, four wall- mounted light points, TV point and additional aux and co-ax points. From the Main Lobby, hardwood framed multi- pane glazed doors fitted with decorative Georgian bars provide access to: RECEPTION ROOM 1 16'2 x 19'7 (4.93m x 5.97m) With UPVC double glazed full width picture screen affording lovely view over the rear garden and open fields beyond, two central heating radiators, feature inset real flame pebble effect fire, original feature hardwood drinks storage cabinet with undermounted cupboards, two TV points, four wall-mounted light points, coved ceiling with light fitting and UPVC framed double glazed French doors with matching side screens opening onto rear garden terrace. RECEPTION ROOM 3 16'0 x 15'11 (4.88m x 4.85m) With UPVC double glazed window to front elevation fitted with decorative Georgian style bars, central heating radiator, five wall light points, original style double serving hatch with decorative wooden inset and antique style door furniture, TV point, coved ceiling with light fitting and UPVC framed double glazed French doors with matching side screens opening onto rear garden terrace. Matching hardwood double doors with original style door furniture from the dining room to the utility room. Door to: UTILITY ROOM 9'5 x 10'11 (2.87m x 3.33m) Also with ceramic tiled floor, central heating With matching range of 'Shaker' style base and radiator, wall-mounted gas fired central heating eye level units with solid wood work top boiler also supplying domestic hot water, part incorporating 'Franke' stainless steel sink and ceramic tiled walls, UPVC double glazed window drainer unit hot and cold mixer tap, integrated to rear elevation, TV and telephone points, washing machine, tiled splashback and UPVC chrome effect recessed halogen ceiling double glazed window to side aspect over. Also spotlighting and UPVC framed double glazed with ceramic tiled floor, central heating radiator, multi-pane door to side to: wall-mounted gas fired central heating boiler also supplying domestic hot water, wall- mounted alarm control panel, 'HIVE' control panel, inset chrome recessed halogen ceiling spotlighting and original hardwood external doors dating back to the original schoolhouse building leading to outside and through to the garage. Door to: BREAKFAST KITCHEN 15'7 x 11'4 (4.75m x 3.45m) With matching range of base and wall-mounted cupboard and drawer storage units with solid wood work surfaces incorporating 'Franke' one- and-a-half bowl stainless steel sink and drainer unit with flexi hose hot and cold mixer tap, ceramic tiled splashbacks and UPVC double glazed window to side aspect over. Appliances including 'SMEG' integrated five-ring ceramic hob with ceramic tiled splashbacks and 'SMEG' stainless steel chimney style extractor canopy over, together with built-in 'NEFF' double oven, integrated dishwasher and space for fridge \freezer. ON THE FIRST FLOOR: DRESSING AREA STAIRCASE with feature wrought-iron 11'1 x 8'4 max. (3.38m x 2.54m max.) balustrading AND LANDING with UPVC double With range of fitted furniture comprising two glazed window to rear elevation, two central double wardrobes with hanging and storage heating radiators and range of fitted double space, together with dressing table unit having wardrobes with storage shelving space and knee-hole, six drawers, mirror and light over. housing lagged hot water cylinder, pipework and Also with central heating radiator, ceiling light pump system. The landing also has the original point and UPVC double glazed window to rear vaulted old schoolhouse style ceiling with elevation. Access off through UPVC double feature painted beams, ceiling light point and glazed door to BALCONY with decorative archway access to all first floor rooms. Door to: wrought-iron safety railing. Door to: MASTER BEDROOM SUITE Comprising: BEDROOM 1 15'6 x 16'0 (4.72m x 4.88m) With UPVC double glazed dual aspect multi- pane windows to front and rear elevations (the front window fitted with decorative Georgian style bars), two central heating radiators, TV and telephone points, three wall light fittings, panic alarm system and sloping ceiling with original feature hardwood beam with decorative ironwork dating back to the original old school building. EN-SUITE BATHROOM BEDROOM 3 8'5 x 10'11 (2.57m x 3.33m) 12'0 x 10'1 max. (3.66m x 3.07m max.) With four-piece white suite comprising wash With range of fitted furniture comprising hand basin inset into vanitory unit with hot and drawers, storage cupboards and dressing table cold mixer tap, granite worktop with feature unit, central heating radiator, three wall- mirror and lighting over, double store cupboard mounted light points, sloping ceiling with light below, low level w.c., porcelain tiled bath with point and UPVC double glazed window to front hot and cold mixer tap and separate fully tiled elevation fitted with Georgian style bars.