Homelands, Fordham, Ely, SAT NAV CB7 5NG

QUOTE GH0600

AN HISTORIC AND BELOVED HOME

Proudly standing on the corner of Carter Street in Fordham, Homelands is a well known local landmark and behind its familiar façade waits a beloved home full of surprises and original features. 

The house dates back to the late 16th Century and has a close-studded timber frame of high quality. The front garden which was planted as a dry garden, sides onto Mill Land and leads to the main entrance. As the large original front door swings open you step inside to the HALLWAY, where you are greeted by picture rails, architrave, mouldings to the ceiling, and impressive stone flooring.

Turning into the DRAWING ROOM you are greeted by cosy grandeur with a striking exposed brick fireplace that has an inset Oak beam over and brick herringbone hearth. The two recessed alcoves on either side provide elegant display space without diminishing the space of the room. The ornate shutters on the window to the front, and the French door to the side, add style and finesse.  

Across the hallway is the DINING ROOM, again with panelled walls, recessed bookcases, and a cupboard on either side of an electric fire. The large sash window to the front ensures a bright room and also has an inset bookshelf beneath. 

Much of the recent history of this property can be found in the next area, which also offers potential for development. The former antique shop is currently used as an EXTRA RECEPTION ROOM - in its heyday it was used as the Christmas Dining Room.  It has a full front shop window and door directly onto the street, and an inset double shelf for displays. There is also a glazed picture window back to the hallway and then further space with an additional HOBBY ROOM that has a door to the rear garden.  As well as a window to the front there is a door from the hobby room to a STUDY room and a downstairs SHOWER ROOM with WC.  There are great possibilities for this unique suite of rooms that could be converted back to commercial use for a home-run business, or adapted as a self-contained annexe for multigenerational living. 

Returning to the hallway, there is an ornate door to a closet and a door that leads down to the CELLAR.

Over the years the kitchen has been expanded and extended to provide a versatile, large OPEN PLAN LIVING / DINING KITCHEN, which adds a more modern style to the traditional features.  It is currently half divided by a simple counter and storage space so you have a cooking and preparation area with a recessed pantry, and then a social dining area. There is enticing scope to modernise this area to turn it into a real feature room maximising the space; the light from three windows overlooking the garden; and the original wooden door to the outside. It is a room to let your imagination loose and your eye for design take the lead.

Back in the hall, and along with the original framed walls, there is also a beautiful dog-leg staircase to lead you upstairs where you are treated to an impressive wide half landing, which has feature exposed beams all around and a frosted window to the front. 

You don’t often find a room like the MAIN BEDROOM - it is practically its own suite with space for numerous chairs, a sofa, cabinets, and cupboards. It also enjoys a dual aspect with windows to the side and rear, giving you a full view of the garden;  as well as an access door to the main bathroom allowing it to be a Jack and Jill en-suite.

Off the landing is the FAMILY BATHROOM, which has a mural by Ursula Galloway and offers a panelled bath, wash hand basin, WC, window, and a door to the main bedroom. 

The SECOND BEDROOM on the first floor is of generous proportion and is partly panelled; it has a window overlooking the rear. This room has its own en-suite with bath, wash-hand basin, and WC. 

To the THIRD BEDROOM, known as the “Oak Room”, which has an exposed “cloaks area” outside with built-in storage before you enter another sizable room offering en-suite. There is oak panelling surround with the celebrated “Tulip Panel” feature - a 17th Century stylized relief carving of tulips and other flowers recalling the Dutch tradition. The oak panelling of this room is believed to have come originally from the former Fordham Abbey. Complete with a fireplace, this again has the potential to be a statement room to provide elegant luxury. Hidden behind the panelling is an ensuite bathroom with bath, WC, and wash hand basin.

A further staircase rises up past a window to the front to take you to the top floor where there are TWO WELL PROPORTIONED BEDROOMS that are each over 6m in length, one of which has an en-suite shower with WC and hand basin. The final room on this floor is currently an OFFICE but could make an additional bedroom or be adapted as part of a top floor suite. 

HISTORY, NATURE, AND DEVELOPMENT.

The double wooden doors to the front and main road provide access to a drive-through covered area which leads to a gravel parking area and could be used as sheltered parking for several vehicles. 

One of the key features of this lovely home is the opportunity to update and refurbish the Grade II listed Timber framed barn. Currently set out as two separate spaces this offers an exciting opportunity (subject to planning approval) to develop in a variety of ways. You could be interested in converting them into additional residential accommodation, creating an annexe for multi-generational living; or perhaps a work studio with an entertainment/cinema room. There is also the possibility of renovating them for commercial use. 

There is a  range of further small outbuildings,  one makes an ideal store and another could be turned into a work studio or summer house overlooking the south-facing garden with a lush green lawn sweeping down to the River Snail.

For those with green fingers, there is a traditional greenhouse in the walled courtyard which has recently been refurbished. 

Surrounded by mature trees and bushes, It is easy to imagine the picturesque setting of relaxing or entertaining from this private garden with a tended lawn and the river burbling at the bottom. Planted with a variety of  shrubs, flowers and heritage rose, there is always an abundance of colour and scents with  each season.

The current owner talks incredibly fondly of a happy childhood living in the house and playing in the garden where playing in the River Snail and exploring the abundance of wildlife was a key memory.

As the next custodian of Homelands, you would be the guardian of history and able to create your own legacy and memories to be passed on.

THE LOCAL LANDMARK

In the early 1900s the shop was known as Whitworths Stores and the shop's horse-drawn cart was a regular sight in the village doing deliveries. The shop was taken over by the Hutts in the 1930s and renamed Hutts Store before changing to Phoenix Antiques in the early 1970s when acquired by the late Mr & Mrs Bycroft. With a background in theatre props, Mr Bycroft had an eye for displays and unusual artefacts, and soon the shop (with its large window) was a huge success and attracted buyers from far and wide.

KEY INFORMATION - Homelands

Property Type                                  Detached

Bedrooms                                         6

Council Tax                                      Band G

Square footage                                4272 sq ft plus outbuildings 2874 sq ft  (approximately)

EPC Rating                                       D

Age                                                    TBC

Last sold date                                   1971

Title Number                                    CB431220

Plot size                                             0.4 acres

Heating                                             Gas Central Heating

Tenure                                               Freehold

Walls                                                  TBC

LOCAL AREA

Local Authority                                Cambridgeshire

Flood Risk River & Seas                  Very low

Flood Risk surface water               High

Conservation Area                          Yes

CONNECTIVITY

Estimated broadband speeds:

Standard                               20  mbps

Superfast                              80 mbps

Ultrafast                                1000 mbps

Cable/Satellite TV availability

BT                   Yes

Sky                  Yes

Mobile Signals (based on calls indoors)

Ee                   Amber

3 (Three)        Amber

O2                  Amber

Vodafone       Amber

       Green -           Likely to have good coverage.

       Amber -         You may experience some problems.

       Red -              You should not expect to receive a signal.

SCHOOLS

Primary        

Fordham Primary School                                  0.25 miles

Isleham CofE Primary School                          2.25 miles

St Andrews CofE Primary School                    2.48 miles

Secondary

Soham Village College                                     2.48  miles

Newmarket Academy                                        4.3 miles

TRANSPORT (NATIONAL)

National Rail Stations

Newmarket                                                 5.11 miles

Kennett                                                       4.84 miles

Ely                                                                   7.61 Miles

Trunk Roads/Motorways

M11 J9                                                           19.15 miles

M11 J11                                                         16.02 miles

M11 J13                                                          14.9 miles

M11 J10                                                          18.18 miles

M11 J14                                                           14.67 miles

Airports/Helipads

Cambridge Airport                                     11.57 miles

Stansted airport                                          29.61 miles

Luton Airport                                               44.21miles

TRANSPORT (LOCAL)

Bus stops

War memorial                                                 0.04 miles

New Path                                                      0.15miles

Collins Hill                                                      0.17 miles

10 year history of average house prices by property type in CB25

Detached                  +79.46 %

Semi-Detached       +79.21%

Terraced                    +72.95%

 VIEWING ARRANGEMENTS:

By appointment only.  Call or text Gavin Human during or after office hours.

REMOTE VIEWING TOUR:

Traditional property viewings are still vital when it comes to finding the right house. However, making these arrangements can be tricky and complicated, juggling work and home life commitments, or simply finding enough time if moving into a new area and traveling some distance.

Booking a Remote Viewing Tour puts YOU firmly in control. Arrange a day and time that is convenient for you to “look around” and I will be at the property at the appointed time to walk you around the house using WhatsApp or Facetime. The Viewing Tour can be as quick or as long as you like, making sure you have a good look round, focussing on the rooms that are important to you. This will hopefully help you decide to arrange an in person viewing at a later date.

HAVE YOU GOT A HOUSE TO SELL:

If you are thinking of moving and have yet to put your house on the market, or if you are on with another estate agent and have yet to find a buyer, I would welcome the opportunity of sharing my 30 years of estate agency experience with you. Please call Gavin Human for a free, confidential valuation and marketing review with no obligation. 

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