Ford End, Ivinghoe

VILLAGE LIFE

Set at Ford End, close to Ivinghoe, the single-storey home enjoys proximity to the National Trust’s scenic Ashridge Estate, with its ancient woodland and rolling chalk downs, as well as Ivinghoe Beacon, also a popular walking destination. “We are also close to some lovely canal walks,” she says. “The village itself is a very nice place to live – it has a lot of history, with attractive buildings and a beautiful church – it is also a very friendly community, with plenty going on for those who want to be involved.”

EASY LIVING

Thought to have been built about 36 years ago, the four-bedroom property has been updated and well maintained by its current owners over the time they have been there. “We have replaced kitchen, bathrooms and windows, and we have redecorated throughout, keeping it fairly neutral in colour,” she says. “We also replaced the conservatory and opened up the back of the house to give ourselves a nice flow between the kitchen, conservatory and dining room. These are still separate spaces, yet you are also close enough to chat to people in the conservatory while you are cooking. This arrangement has worked very well for us. There is also a nice flow from the conservatory on to the garden, which we particularly enjoy during the warmer months.”

WINTER WARMING

Millhaven is entered from the front. It has two very distinct wings, with bedrooms and bathrooms to one side and living accommodation to the other. The generous entrance hall leads into the triple-aspect drawing room; this is a light-filled space that overlooks the front garden. “We have a Danish Morso Owl multi-fuel burner in here, which is wonderful in the winter as it makes it so cosy,” she observes. “It emits so much heat that we often open the door to let it circulate around the rest of the house.” There is a cloakroom and doors lead into the kitchen and dining room, which in turn give on to the conservatory, which is arranged as a second sitting room. The beautiful and well-arranged kitchen features oak units, painted in a country cream and finished with black granite work surfaces, and leads into a utility room.

COMFORTABLE BEDROOMS

The master bedroom sits to the front of the house. This is a double room with an en suite shower and hand basin and fitted oak wardrobes. “The two rooms to the back are also good sizes and have been kept as bedrooms over the years,” she explains. “We currently use the smaller room at the front as an office, which has worked well for us, but someone else might wish to turn it back into a bedroom.”

GREAT POSSIBILITIES

The double garage adjoins the house and – subject to the relevant planning permissions – the owners have contemplated converting this is into additional accommodation. “We have thought of making half of it into a bedroom with an en suite bathroom for our daughter,” she recalls. “This is something new owners could look into themselves if it met with their needs.” Also an option, for anyone not requiring the entire garage space, might be the creation of a self-contained annexe for an older relative or grown-up child, perhaps. “There are possibilities here,” she agrees. “This is a home that offers great flexibility.” The owners admit they are sad to be leaving their home after so long but are relocating to be closer to family. “This has been a lovely place to have lived for all this time and we will miss it when we go.”

Disclaimer

Chewton Rose Estate Agents 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.