Fineshade, Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17

The listed conversion of a 19th century Italianate stable block, with two ancillary cottages, in near 8 acres of parkland pasture, between the market towns of Stamford, Oundle and Uppingham

Description

A beautiful 19th century Italianate stable block conversion, Fineshade Abbey, with its octagonal stone cupola with clock and weathervane as a prominent marker, is approached through 7.63 acres, or thereabouts, of rolling landscaped grounds, with woodland as a backdrop.

Approached through the grounds, the electric entrance gates to the Abbey itself enter a sheltered inner courtyard, framed to three sides by the Abbey and its two ancillary cottages, providing an absolute haven, with magnificent views from the house over the grounds.

Accommodation
An abiding theme through the property are the era’s high ceilings, exposed stonework and timber beams and trusses, as is the contemporary work of the designer Clive Christian, who’s influence can be seen from the kitchen - dining - living area through, to the bathrooms and built-in cupboards within the bedrooms.

The accommodation forms a U-plan, with two storey northern and southern wings, linked by the single storey eastern wing of the courtyard. Within this, the flagstone floored kitchen-living-diner is the heart of the home. It has sets of double doors to the garden’s dining terrace, together with a large fireplace with log burner. It incorporates an extensive solid wood suite, with Aga and a range of built-in appliances, with a wooden island providing convivial breakfast bar seating.

The flagstones continue into the dining room, which also has a magnificent fireplace with log burner and French doors to the dining terrace.

The 43’ drawing room, which also double doors to the dining terrace, incorporates a panelled and shelved library and reading nook, whilst the prominent feature of the room is the stone fireplace with large log burner. It offers access to the southern first floor wing, and clock tower, where there is a lavish Guest Bedroom Suite, with built-in wardrobes and two bathrooms (one with shower and one bath), offers views towards the lake.

From the kitchen to the south wing, a side hallway leads to a utility, with kitchenette and large pantry cupboard, and the boot room, with access to the courtyard garden, adjacent to which is a ground floor wet room.

At first floor, the dual-aspect principal bedroom suite, with a Juliet-balcony, is accessed through a fully fitted walk-through dressing room. The en suite features both bath and shower and is a fine example of Clive Christian’s work with opulent, Corinthian column design. There are a further two en suite double bedrooms. One is dual aspect, with exposed stone walls. The other with built in storage and courtyard views.

Accessed externally from within the courtyard, a beautiful Garden room has with floor to ceiling glass panels, with double doors to the courtyard and the courtyard garden, to the north, and is currently used as an office.

Continuing along the ground floor of the south wing, between the colonnades of the courtyard, are five double doors accessing heated garaging. There is a further tack room and garden store.

Across the courtyard, forming the ground floor to the north wing, east of the gates, the gymnasium, retains some of the stable stalls, zoning the gym’s equipment, with stairs lead to a storage area.

Ancillary cottages
Bumble Bee Cottage and Walker’s Pass Cottage are both self-contained two-bedroom cottages, and make up the remainder of the Abbey’s conversation. Walker’s Pass, forms the southeast corner , whilst Bumblee Bee Cottage has a ground floor kitchen of Clive Christian design, with stairs rising to accommodation over the gymnasium.

Gardens and Land:
The long driveway sweeps down the shallow valley, accessing two other properties enroute. When its crosses over the bridge, a set of electric gates accesses the large turning circle and superb archway of Fineshade Abbey. With a handsome pair of wrought iron gates and octagonal stone cupola with coat of arms and date stone of 1848, the archway leads into the central courtyard, which has a wall water feature.

The gardens around the abbey are beautifully planned. To the west, the dining terrace, with contemporary mirror pond, overlooks formal lawn, which rolls into meadow grass leading down to the lake, the banks of which are softened by beautiful willows. To the south, a private walled courtyard garden is lawned with well stocked herbaceous borders and climbing plants, with paved terrace and pebbled walkways. To the east of the property is a gated gravelled area, with carport, provides further parking and access to the cottages.

The property extends to about 7.63 acres in total. A public footpath skirts the western boundary of the property, across the river and lake.

Location

Both an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the ancient scheduled monument site of a motte-and-bailey Castle, demolished around the 12th century, the site is historic and evolving. An Augustinian Priory was later established, named Fineshade Abbey, with a country house erected in its place, bought by Colonel Monckton in 1759, whose family built the stable block in 1848, with the Monckton coat of arms over the main archway. The stable-block was first converted in 1986, and retained the Fineshade Abbey name after the main house was demolished.

The property is seven miles south west of the market town of Stamford, nine miles north west of the market town of Oundle and 17 miles equidistant between Kettering and cathedral city of Peterborough, with their mainline commuter services to London St Pancras and London Kings Cross, respectively, from about 50 minutes.

Well placed for leisure opportunities, there is walking, cycling and hacking within the Forestry Commission’s Fineshade Woods, with golf courses at Luffenham Heath and Burghley Park, both about seven miles. Rutland Water, with water pursuits (fishing, sailing and wind surfing), as well as cycling and walking is eight miles to the north.

Renowned for the area’s excellent choice of state and private schools, in Peterborough, Oakham, Uppingham, Oundle and Stamford are all within a 17 mile radius of this property.

Square Footage: 7,399 sq ft


Acreage: 7.63 Acres

Additional Info

Tenure: Freehold

Local Authority: North Northamptonshire District Council

Services: Mains water & electricity. Klargester Private Drainage (2022). LPG gas central heating (2018). Fibre-optic broadband.

Fixtures & Fittings: Only those mentioned in these sales particulars are included in the sale. All others, such as curtains, light fitting and garden ornaments are specifically excluded but may be available by separate negotiation.

All journey times and distances are approximate.