School Lane, Sherington

A distinctive former Rectory, listed Grade II, of coursed rubblestone construction under an old tile roof with two date stones carved 1607. The central section of the building has a 17th century style colonnade with a pierced balustrade fronting a first floor balcony. Internally there is evidence of 17th century fireplaces with stone jambs and oak lintels. and an 18th century staircase with turned balusters and moulded handrails. The property stands in about 2.5 acres of walled grounds.

For Sale through our Olney office, please contact Haydn van Weenen, Ian Fraser & Miranda Lindsay.

About This Property - Walk into the vast, double height, wood panelled reception hall and witness the minstrel gallery overhead. This is not an original feature, but was created when three existing meditation rooms were removed over 70 years ago. Three lattice windows which remain denote where the three rooms were once located. Another historical feature of this vestibule is that it was the site of a bakers oven which was used to provide bread for the village. To the right hand side of the main staircase there is now a cupboard where formerly stood the original staircase.
Frome the vestibule there are doors off to a drawing room with fireplace, a flagstone floored dining room with inglenook, a study, cloakroom and cellar. Continuing the ground floor accommodation there is a large Kitchen/dining/family room which has housed 36 for dinner at two tables, this leads through to a convenient and useful boot room.
From the first floor landing with its incredible minstrel gallery there is access to the wood panelled Master Bedroom which has views of the gardens from windows which sweep in a gentle curve along the southern elevation wall. This room has a connecting door to a bathroom and additional connecting door to a further bedroom.. On the opposite side of the landing is a large guest bedroom and a bathroom whilst a few steps along an inner hallway lies the fourth of the bedrooms on this floor.
A further staircase rises to the second floor where there is a cloakroom and four rooms, two currently used by the family as bedrooms with the adjacent rooms providing a study facility for each. A door opens to a passageway leading to what formerly served as the maids quarters. On the passageway to this historic chamber we pass a "priest hole" where the clergy were able to secrete themselves from Oliver Cromwell and Henry VIII.

The grounds of The Old Rectory extend to circa 2.5 acres and are part walled with a gated entrance. There are many specimen trees some which are protected and an extensive lawn area which was previously a tennis court. A vegetable garden is located to the rear. Garaging is attached to the property. As you enter the grounds looking directly ahead a drive leads to a gated compound where there are two former Coach Houses and some original pig pens which now form an open hovel. The ground to the left of the drive which leads to the compound forms part of the acreage of The Old Rectory.

Matters Of Interest - The Old Rectory was sold out of the church in 1957. There are two date stones registering 1607, one more elaborate than the other. The house is a very early example of an "H" pattern house and is acknowledged in various books because of this. Having originally been thatched this was changed when the property underwent a major refurbishment in the 1700's.
Additional maintenance undertaken in recent years includes a complete rebuild of the kitchen wing where many joists and all flooring were replaced with English oak. Increased insulation and some underfloor heating were installed. Many windows were replaced with English Oak and leaded lights and plumbing was renewed. The gable end of the house where the double garage is located underwent major restoration some 25 years ago. To a large extent the house has been rewired.
As an aside, It is rumoured that there is a tunnel from the house to the old farm on the corner of Church Street in the village. The present owners have not tried to look for it.

Location Information - The village of Sherington has a village shop, The White Hart public house, a Church, sports pavilion, and Sherington Church of England primary school. Secondary education is available at Ousedale schools in Newport Pagnell and Olney, or there is a school bus to the Harpur Trust schools in Bedford which is 13 miles away.
Major rail links to London and the North are available from Bedford and Milton Keynes main line rail stations with Motorway access to the M1 available 3 miles distant at Junction 14. Major shopping outlets can be found in abundance at Milton Keynes shopping centre.

Disclaimer - Whilst we endeavour to make our sales particulars accurate and reliable, if there is any point which is of particular importance to you please contact the office and we will be pleased to verify the information for you. Do so, particularly if contemplating travelling some distance to view the property. The mention of any appliance and/or services to this property does not imply that they are in full and efficient working order, and their condition is unknown to us. Unless fixtures and fittings are specifically mentioned in these details, they are not included in the asking price. Some items may be available subject to negotiation with the Vendor.