Earl Shilton Road, Leicester, LE9

**Unexpectedly back on the market after chain collapsed**

‘In open countryside, an utterly unique period house of charm and character.’
Welcome to Normanton House Farm!

Stature and presence
Normanton House Farm is approached by entry through large wooden gates that open onto a wide drive that sweeps across the front perspective of this period residence facing Earl Shilton Road. Dating originally from 1700, this large detached property has both stature and presence, being surrounded on all flanks by landscaped grounds and benefitting from views overlooking the surrounding countryside. It was originally built as a farmhouse for the landowners and has been extended to take advantage of its size and location. This is a prestigious, bespoke property in a prime location that still offers the potential to become even more and comes with planning permission for a large side extension, intended for a swimming pool and cinema room. Sitting in a two acre plot, Normanton House Farm is already a superior home that has been tastefully renovated by its present owners but which offers the potential for future developments.

The property is directly approached from the road and has an expansive drive, suitable for turning and parking multiple vehicles. There are different sized plots of land to all sides of the house, and another double gate allows entry into the grassed, open meadow area parallel to the road as the house is approached from the left. Mature shrubbery, hedging and native trees provide seclusion and privacy surrounding a lawn and garden to the side of the house on the right and rear.

Roof tops and chimney stacks
The house is striking with white rendered walls, rustic chimney stacks, cross gabled roofs and contemporary window frames. It is built on three levels, with two staircases and a cellar. There are presently eight bedrooms, two large bathrooms, four reception rooms and a generous open plan kitchen diner. Being recently renovated, the house is tastefully decorated using contemporary, coordinated features of the highest specification. It is on the rural outskirts of the attractive village of Thurlaston: a highly sought after central location within the county of Leicestershire. This is a delightful residence that has been cared for and nurtured to exacting standards and richly benefits from the rural charm of its position.
Undeniably, the house is impressively large and individual. On entry into the entrance hall you are greeted with a sense of light, space and airiness. White walls, panelled pine doors accessorised with black ironmongery, wooden flooring, rope feature lighting and exposed rustic beams are design elements that will repeat throughout the interior, as each room in this property is generously proportioned and promotes an atmosphere of luxurious, modern living but with the added characteristics of a period home.

The hall is the geographical centre of the building and houses the main white painted, carpeted staircase, with the cellar steps safely concealed behind a separate door and a second staircase beginning in the play room. From the hall three reception rooms – one is presently being used as a ground floor bedroom – kitchen diner and large cloakroom can be accessed. Using the fourth reception room in this way means that the property presently provides nine bedrooms.

A modern kitchen
The kitchen is so often referred to as the heartbeat of a home and this one is sure to be a room bustling with activity, being both beautifully practical and tastefully stylish. While there is a natural position for dining at the furthest end of the room where views of the garden can be appreciated, the central island work station and swathe of worktops permit food preparation while family or guests are able to enjoy the space: conversation and catering unhindered. This is a hospitality hub and it is maximised with the addition of bi-folding patio doors that allow the garden at the side of the property to be easily accessed. In fact, the focus on hospitality or relaxation, which ever best suits your mood or day, is maximised here. This open room is a delightful workspace. It has white handleless high gloss wall units, seamless and smooth, across three walls and contrasting grey flooring and worktops. Integrated appliances create a minimalist room which is aesthetically pleasing and ticks all the contemporary boxes for functionality and practicality. The central island has space for seating, a sink and draining board, ceramic hob and stainless steel overhead extractor unit. There is wall space for free standing fridges, freezers and wine coolers.

A separate storeroom provides additional room for grocery or appliance requirements and immediately on entry into the kitchen, the utility room is on the left. The kitchen diner also has a door leading outside and an internal door leading into the lounge.

The reception rooms
The lounge can be entered from the kitchen. It is a large, comfortable room effortlessly combining character features with contemporary style. The rustic chimney place frames the log burner and an oriel bay window overlooks the drive. Exposed beams and a side door opening into the playroom make this a child friendly arrangement but provide options for usage. The ceiling has a lantern roof window and large paned windows create a light filled room. Next door, the snug is also fitted with a fireplace and the second oriel bay window as seen from the driveway. This lovely room has French doors opening into the garden.

Upstairs … twice!
There are five double bedrooms on the first floor and three double bedrooms on the second floor, all providing magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. By using the main staircase from the hall, all but one bedroom can be accessed. This room can be accessed from the play room staircase and would provide privacy for a studio, study or gym.
Both stairways, landings and bedrooms are fitted with carpets. Some of the bedrooms are fitted with integral wardrobes, while others are particularly attractive because of their original features such as fireplaces and open ceiling beams. They are all generously proportioned and have been decorated and fitted throughout with coordinating colour schemes and features, such as pine panelled doors and black ironmongery.

There are two substantial bathrooms on the first floor both equipped with a large bath, walk in showers, double basins, feature radiators and toilets. As with many aspects of this property, the bathing facilities have been totally renewed, redecorated and accessorised to a high specification providing beautifully designed rooms with white suites, contemporary lighting and pristine tiling.

All curtains, light fittings and carpets on all levels are included within the sale of this property.

Thurlaston
Thurlaston is a village in central England, a region referred to as the East Midlands. It is situated approximately 6 miles south west of Leicester’s city centre, 28 miles east of Birmingham and approximately 26 miles south of the city of Nottingham. It is in the LE9 postcode district and falls within the local authority of Blaby. Thurlaston is intersected by roads leading to the larger villages of Croft, Enderby, Earl Shilton and Desford. To the north west of the village, the M69 provides motorway links to the M1 (junction 21, west towards Leicester Forest East) and then to a wider network of transport links stretching across the whole country.

There are railway stations in Hinkley, South Wigston, Narborough and Leicester, where the Midland Main Railway Line runs trains to London – Leicester to St Pancras - regularly. There are normally 70 trains running daily, to London, the fastest taking approximately an hour. The closest airports are the East Midlands Airport and Birmingham International Airport, which welcome multiple international flights per day.

Evidence of a settlement on the site of Thurlaston can be traced as far back as the Saxon period and in The Domesday Book of 1086, it was recorded as Turchilestone. The area was mostly known for its agricultural and livestock production, being divided into manors and owned by wealthy lords. Their patronage remains evident within the local parish church of All Saints. This twelfth century church is the only listed building in the village and was renovated in the 1840s. Thurlaston Chapel Evangelical Free Church provides the second place of worship in the locality.

Thurlaston maintains all the charm and features associated with a rural location and has several amenities including two public houses: The Elephant and Castle and The Poachers. The village can boast of a large selection of sports provision nearby including golf, cricket, bowling and football. It also has its own garden centre and tea room, which is essentially many retail outlets under one roof and is within walking distance of the village centre. The Village Hall is a traditional 1920s building and hosts many community events, catering for a diverse array of groups including aerobics, ball room dancing and children’s activities. The Thurlaston Craft Fair and Carnival began in 1971 and continues to gain popularity, as an annual event. Details of this and other community information can be accessed at village is one of ten member communities of the Fosse Villages, a Neighbourhood Area since 2013.

Within a short car journey of Thurlaston, there are many larger towns offering a variety of amenities such as edge of town super stores including and the retail hub, Fosse Park or uniquely bespoke shops, restaurants, sports venues, public houses, cafes and parks. For an even greater variety of entertainment including theatres, the cosmopolitan city of Leicester with its diverse cultural influences is on hand.

Within the locality, there is primary provision for younger children at the aided Thurlaston Church of England Primary School found on Desford Road. However, this central location provides many catchment schools offering educational provision for nursery, primary, and secondary aged children, including private establishments offering bordering facilities. The Office for Standards in Education - OFSTED – is best researched to provide a comprehensive review of currently rated standards of practice.

Additional Information:
EPC - E
Council Tax Banding - G
Local Authority - Blaby District Council
Broadband Speed - 1000Mb