Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire Offers in the region of £580,000

Enjoying a stunning rural location, this substantial barn can be sold as one lot or divided into two semi-detached barns. Lot one offers five bedrooms and approximately 3.36 acres (STMS) of grounds, while lot two boasts three bedrooms and an acre (STMS) of paddock.
The Story
Looking out over the open countryside, and watching the horses, the owner of Stapleford Barn reflects on the changes she has seen at her expansive home and on the great possibilities it holds.
The barn, where the owners lived for 20 years, was originally one large house but has since been rearranged to include a, three-bedroom annexe. Today these could be two separate properties, each with its own garden and land and views across the paddocks. Equally, someone could have both parts, which would allow them to have a spacious property with an annexe – or an even larger home if they opened it back up to become one house.
SUPERB LOCATION
Stapleford Barn was in the process of being converted when the owner bought it some 20 years ago. The building itself dates back to 1840 and was used for cattle rearing.
Conveniently located for access to Melton Mowbray and Oakham, it also felt very rural, surrounded as it is by open fields.
When we first saw it, the footings were in and the walls were up, but we did have quite a lot of input into how it went from there, she recalled. We were able to decide on the kitchen and the flooring, for example, and to put our own stamp on the place.
STYLISH HOME
Conversion work on the building was carried out carefully, she continued, with the house being given a fabulous finish. Indeed, it was so impressive that it was even featured in glossy magazine House Beautiful.
Everything was done as sympathetically as possible, using reclaimed materials and in a country style.
It looked wonderful but it was also a magnificent family home. Our four children were brought up here.
ENTERTAINING HOUSE
The main house boasts five bedrooms, as well as living spaces that include the bright, open plan kitchen breakfast room, with its Aga, and the conservatory, drawing room and garden room.
The kitchen and conservatory overlook the garden and have a really lovely feel – that was where we tended to live most of the time, leaving the drawing room for special occasions, she said. This part of the house was also ideal for parties.
In fact, because all the rooms lead into each other, in a horseshoe shape, the whole house was great for entertaining.
WONDERFUL LIFE
Now the children have grown up, the owner lives in the annexe, and lets out the main house. Both properties offer a wonderful lifestyle.
This is a lovely, safe place to live and it is great to be able to leave the house and to go walking with the dogs. With stables here too, we have been able to keep horses – and the riding has been superb.
ACCOMMODATION
LOT 1
The current owners built this charming barn to live in as one large home, with the option for one section to become an annexe for additional family members. This section of the property is joined by a doorway which is currently blocked on one side. Should this doorway be re-opened, the whole barn would form a horseshoe shape with downstairs living accommodation on one side and stables on the other. This property also works extremely well as two semi-detached homes with their own private gardens and land.
GROUND FLOOR
A large oak door with glass panels to either side leads into the entrance hall, which boasts a range of storage cupboards on one side, a downstairs cloakroom and stairs ascending to the first floor. Wooden floors extend throughout the whole of the ground floor, while panelled doors open into the drawing room which enjoys a double aspect and a central feature fireplace. One of the really lovely features of this property is the garden room extension that leads off the drawing room, the sitting room and the kitchen, then continues along the back of the home. Double doors link each of these areas and they can be opened to create a very sociable open expanse. The sitting room is a cosier, smaller room and is currently used as a relaxed family space for watching television. There is a hatch through to the kitchen and so this room could be used as a formal dining room. Double doors once more lead through to the garden room. Overall, the garden room is extremely versatile and can be divided into different areas or used as one open section, with the advantage of views over the garden and towards the paddocks. The farmhouse style kitchen offers cabinets that have been fitted to look like cupboards and dressers. There is a central work surface with cupboards below on either side, which forms an ‘L’ shape for the working part of the kitchen, central to which is a large recess for an Aga with an oak beam above. Additionally there are cupboards built into either side and there is space for a companion cooker. You will find a separate utility room that is fitted with a washing machine and tumble dryer and it also has a sink and storage. Completing the ground floor accommodation is a separate study, perfect for those wanting to work from home.
FIRST FLOOR
Rising to the first floor you will find the master bedroom which has a double aspect with views to the front and rear of the property. There is a range of hand made, bespoke, built in wardrobe cupboards and also a small corridor leading from the landing to an en-suite bathroom. The remaining three double bedrooms are all presented to a good standard with glorious views and built in cupboards. A further single room could be used as an additional study or playroom if desired. There is a family bathroom with a separate shower and a bath which is set into a recess with pretty panelling surrounding it
LOT 2
This section of the barn cannot be seen fully from the front as it has been designed to benefit from the views over the paddocks surrounding the property. The accommodation is mostly on the ground floor and there is a small inner-hallway which can link through to the other side of the property. From this inner hall there is a cloakroom and a door to the fabulous drawing room which has high ceilings with striking beams and some exposed brickwork. There are also windows on two sides and a lovely central fireplace with a wood burning stove. The drawing room is extremely large and is used as the sitting room and dining room. The kitchen is well fitted with a range of modern cabinets, a breakfast bar, space and plumbing for utilities, along with plenty of work surfaces and storage. There is a door to the garden and a corridor which guides down to a study, which could be utilised as a further bedroom depending on your requirements. This room is currently used as a treatment room and is ideal for somebody wanting to run a business from home. You will find a further bedroom on the ground floor, while a wrought iron staircase ascends to a mezzanine level where there is a good size double bedroom. Completing this floor is a family bathroom with both a bath and shower. The master bedroom is situated at the end of the hall and has its own en-suite shower room and a door to the garden.
SETTING THE SCENE
LOT 1
Currently there is a shared driveway leading to both of the properties but this will be divided should the property sell as individual homes. To the right of lot 1 there is a wide driveway which leads through a wrought iron farm gate to the rear, where there is a range of outbuildings including a double garage, a range of store rooms, a tack room and stable. The garden is level and well designed with central lawn terraces abutting the side and rear of the house. This works really well as there are no windows from the adjacent property overlooking the garden. There is a further farm gate which leads into the paddock that extends to approximately 3.36 acres (STMS). (Access to this can also be gained via a small farm track).
LOT 2
A good sized private garden surrounded by a post and rail fence separates the paddock of about one acre. There is a range of outbuildings including two stables and a store room. The paddock can also be accessed from the lane and if the properties are sold separately a new entrance will be put in with a fence separating the front gardens to the whole barn.
WITHIN EASY REACH
Stapleford is extremely well located and is only a few miles outside of Melton Mowbray which has an excellent range of shopping, schooling and recreational facilities, as well as a mainline station to London/St Pancras. Other schools in the area include; Oakham, Uppingham, Loughborough and Ratcliffe College. The barn is located in a lovely rural lane, completely surrounded by open countryside. The A1 is about 20 minutes away, which is a good north/south route.
Melton Mowbray is only four miles from the property and Grantham is less than 20 miles away. Grantham has an extremely good selection of high schools, along with a mainline station providing a service to London in one hour and 10 minutes. Stapleford is located in the Vale of Belvoir which is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty and Rutland Water is only 12 miles away – a popular location for those who enjoy outdoor pursuits. Within a few minutes drive is Stapleford Park; a hotel, health spa and golf course.
I think I will miss this location. Everything we need is close by yet there is great riding, and it is so peaceful.
DIRECTIONS:
Proceed out of Melton Mowbray on the A606 (Burton Road) and continue for several miles before turning left into Cross Lane. This follows out into the countryside and becomes Sawgate Lane. Proceed along here for quite some way before reaching two properties on the right hand side. Stapleford Barn is the second property.
Agents Note: If you are following satellite navigation it will take you left to a property down a long track. This is not Stapleford Barn. If you continue for just a little way Stapleford Barn will be found on the right hand side
For those with satellite navigation the postcode for the property is LE14 2XF.
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