Whissendine, Rutland Offers in the region of £750,000

A rich and romantic history surrounds this restored period house, with tall chimneys, large fireplaces and high beamed ceilings creating a wealth of character and charm. The interior includes three bedrooms, a bespoke kitchen and contemporary and traditional style bathrooms. Private gardens and an orchard surround the home, along with a range of useful outbuildings.
The Story
They were looking for a home by water so they could indulge in their passion for sailing but as soon as they saw Harborough Cottage they knew they had to have it.
The ornate Grade II Listed property, with its pretty façade and mullion windows, was just too much to resist and they set about restoring it to its former glory.
We found it by accident, said one of the owners. We are sailors at Rutland Water and we had a cottage there but wanted something bigger so we could live there all the time.
We were driving by Harborough Cottage one day, however, and saw the chimneys peeping above the hedge and thought how amazing it looked. When we realised it was for sale we went to view it and had to have it.
It was a genteel residence, of an unusual design, and we found it quite exquisite. We loved it so much, in fact, that we turned down a home, which was exactly what we had been looking for before, somewhere right on the edge of Rutland Water.
BEAUTY FROM THE PAST
The property itself was intriguing but the couple soon found it also had a fascinating past.
We are not sure how old it is but we know it was moved to this location somewhere between 1850 and 1860, he said. It was originally in the gardens at Stapleford Park.
It transpired the house had been lived in by an actress, Emma Sarah Love, who was the mistress of the Earl of Harborough, and had several of his children. Upon his death, however, his wife had the entire cottage removed from the grounds of her large country home and rebuilt in a new location – and she dispatched Emma and her family along with it.
PERIOD FEATURES
We bought the house in 2002 but did not move in until three years later, the owner continued. We wanted to restore it properly, bringing specialists in to take it very carefully back to its original style.
Period features, such as the three working open fireplaces downstairs, and the beams, were enhanced, while other original aspects, such as the mullion windows, were repaired sympathetically.
There are modern elements to it, such as the recessed lighting, he explained. But these work very well alongside the period features.
SUMMER OR WINTER
Today, the couple enjoy the many different areas within the house, relish spending time here quietly and welcoming friends and family.
In the summer time, we are often in the kitchen or summer room, which overlooks the garden, he said.
His wife added: This is delightful, and on a hot evening we often wander out from here with a glass of wine or our dinner.
In the winter, they tend to spend time at the front of the house, where they have a long refectory table and a fire in the magnificent dining hall.
With the fire lit and all the decorations up, this part of the house just looks glorious at Christmas time, she added.
BON VOYAGE
Another favourite area is the morning room, which is filled with sunshine from early morning through into the afternoon.
The two largest bedrooms also catch the sunshine in the morning. They are both superb rooms – we tend to use the one at the front as it has an en suite bathroom, he said.
He continued: The side bedroom is unique. It has an oak-framed leaded bay window.
After all their work, the couple are sad to be leaving their stunning home but the time has come for them to set sail across the seas on a voyage of a lifetime.
We will miss everything about this home – it really is unique, he said. Living here has been a wonderful experience.
ACCOMMODATION
GROUND FLOOR
Believed to date from approximately 1829, the tall chimneys, mellow stone, brick, half timbering and stone mullion leaded light windows all indicate the quality of this superb home. The main entrance is rarely used now but did once have a pathway leading to it which has been replaced with a high hedge. However, the solid oak door which is arched and studded opens into an entrance vestibule, with long, leaded light stone mullion windows to both sides and ornate floor tiles. From here, a partially glazed door guides into the dining hall. This is a lovely room and you can imagine lighting the fire and enjoying dinner with a large group of friends and family. The ceiling is high and the central fireplace has a striking wooden surround and overmantle with an original cast iron grate. To one side is a display cabinet with leaded light glass and below is further storage for glasses. This is the central connecting room for the receptions but also gives access to the cloakroom. Moving on, the morning room is calming and tranquil, boasting pretty bay windows with the original wooden shutters and beams to the ceiling, matching the polished oak floor. A grand central fireplace with an oak surround, brick inlay and a raised cast iron fire grate generates a warm and cosy ambience.
The sitting room which may originally have been the kitchen, as it has the largest chimney, is a very sunny room with a door to the garden and a window to the side, both with leaded light glass panes. Once again the ceiling is high and beamed and the floors are polished oak. At the heart of the home is the kitchen/breakfast room which has been thoughtfully designed to include bespoke handmade oak cabinets and drawers, a drop down knife rack, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. There is a dresser with spice racks and drawers and ample starlight work surfaces. Additionally you will find a three oven gas fired Aga and a door descending to the barrel cellar, offering extra storage and a window letting light flood through. The door most commonly used to enter the house leads off via an entrance vestibule from the kitchen. This entrance has been sympathetically improved by the vendors with characteristic stone mullion archways and windows, and a further solid oak door. Also adjoining the kitchen is a garden room which is mainly built of solid stone and has a pitched lead roof with the majority of the walls made up of leaded light glass windows with a casement door to the garden. This is a great room for relaxed meals and enjoys a pleasant outlook over the garden.
FIRST FLOOR
The master bedroom is light and spacious, benefitting from an original cast iron fireplace and tranquil en-suite with a roll top free standing bath, an Imperial porcelain pedestal, basin, WC and bidet. There is a deep walk-in cupboard. A further double bedroom, this room has a splendid outlook and enjoys a range of built in cupboards, along with a further cast iron fireplace. The remaining bedroom is well proportioned and is adjacent to a shower room which has been fitted with a modern contemporary suite.
SETTING THE SCENE
Hidden from the road in the centre of the village, the entrance to Harborough Cottage is private and leads through hand made electric wrought iron gates. The stone driveway has an old brick wall boundary on one side with three silver birch trees and a further high brick wall to the other boundary. The drive opens up to a turning area but also gives access to the open barn garage, enclosed garage and a further detached outbuilding with double doors.
A large brick barn has been converted into further accommodation, comprising a reception hall with a deep storage cupboard, a laundry room fitted with kitchen cabinets and plumbing for washing machine and tumble dryer. There is also a large office which has a wood burning stove and a garden store which can be accessed from the other side of the building. You will also find further potential annexe accommodation above the garage.
The mature garden which surrounds the house is totally private and bordered with trees and flowering shrubs. A stone terrace abuts the back of the house and enjoys the sun for most of the day, while a pathway guides through a further gateway into the orchard which is filled with plum, greengage and apple trees.
There are lots of splendid places to sit and enjoy the sunshine, he said. The garden is south-west facing and has sun from about 11am until sunset.
When the weather is good we can sit out there all day at the wooden table, under a parasol. The easy access from the summer room out into the garden makes outdoor entertaining easy, as well as barbecuing and al fresco dining.
WITHIN EASY REACH
Whissendine has a village shop for everyday needs, a well regarded primary school, two country pubs and a church. The village hall is a centre for the community, hosting many events throughout the year including antiques fairs, a village pantomime and Cubs and Scouts groups. The area is also famous for the beautiful countryside within the county of Rutland.
There are two pubs here in the village, and a mini-market, he said.
For commuters the A1 is about 15 miles away and offers a good north/south route, whilst a main line railway station is located at Grantham (23 miles) providing services to London St Pancras in an hour 10 minutes.
This is a good area for commuting too. Trains into London can be caught from Peterborough, Leicester or Market Harborough.
Secondary schools are available at Melton Mowbray, Stamford and Grantham and Rutland Water is only 9 miles away, boasting a wide selection of activities. Stapleford Park is within easy reach and is now run as a luxury spa, golf hotel and restaurant.
DIRECTIONS:
Proceeding from Melton Mowbray, follow the A606 Melton Road out towards Rutland. There will be a sign to Whissendine on the left. Take this road into the village and at the t-junction turn left. At the small triangle of grass turn left and the drive for Harborough Cottage will be found on the left hand side.
For those with satellite navigation the postcode for the property is LE15 7HF.
Fine is the seller’s agent for this property. Your conveyancer is legally responsible for ensuring any purchase agreement fully protects your position. We make detailed enquiries of the seller to ensure the information provided is as accurate as possible. Please inform us if you become aware of any information being inaccurate