Thicket Road, Houghton, Cambridgeshire, PE28

Victorian residence located in one of Cambridgeshire’s most sought-after villages.

The powered timber gates swing open to unveil the elegant architecture, characterised by large sash windows, ornate fascia boards, and tall chimneys adorned with decorative pots. Retaining the charm of typical period features, the interior showcases meticulously restored ornate cornicing, open fireplaces, and tall skirting boards.

Entering through the generous porch into the entrance lobby, the beautifully presented accommodation unfolds. Double doors lead to the entrance hall, featuring a galleried landing above, parquet flooring, and an arched door opening onto the gardens. The living room, illuminated by three full-height bay windows overlooking the lawns, provides an ideal setting for intimate gatherings or larger events. With two open fireplaces and bay windows, it offers year-round comfort and ambiance. Adjacent to the living room, the formal dining room, with double doors leading to the conservatory, offers additional reception space. It sits alongside a luxurious kitchen breakfast room, complete with integrated appliances and a double-sided slate-clad fireplace with a wood-burning stove. The ground floor is complimented by a cinema room.

Upstairs, the six bedrooms are distributed across the first and second floors. The principal suite, with views to the front and rear, is a spacious retreat featuring a dressing area with a fireplace and wood-burning stove, and an exquisite en suite boasting an oversized shower, freestanding bath, and waterproof television. The remaining bedrooms are served by two bathrooms and a cloakroom.

A self-contained annexe offers private accommodation for guests and/or staff, crafted with the same attention to detail as the main house.

Within the grounds, a bespoke summerhouse serves multiple purposes, currently utilised as a gym and office, with a covered veranda housing a hot tub. Stables provide garden storage and benefit from hot water and power – perfect for accommodating horses. There is a rear entrance ideal for bringing horses into the stables. A neighbouring field has been rented in the past by the previous owners for their horses.

An oversized garage ensures secure car storage. Lawns wrap around two sides of the property, with the rear facing south and privacy provided by numerous mature specimen trees.

While elegant period features abound, modern technology and comfort have been seamlessly integrated, including security systems, air conditioning in select rooms, and a central media and communication system.

Nestled within a peaceful and private plot, the property enjoys the convenience of a well-served village with pubs, shops, and a National Trust property, along with excellent transport links to Cambridge and London.

Seller Insight
“I fell in love with The Cedars as soon as the gates opened and I saw it for the first time,” says the current owner of this striking Victorian home. “It has such an impressive frontage with its 1830s villa style, set within an acre of lovely gardens. Even after more than a decade, there is no better feeling than arriving home on a cold winter’s night and seeing this beautiful house all lit up to welcome you in.”

“Since moving in, I have restored the property to its former glory,” the owner continues, “for example by reinstating lime mortar on the exterior walls, as the house would have had when it was built. This has served to both lighten the colour of the façade and to let the house breathe in the way the original materials intended. We also rebuilt the chimney stacks and restored the woodwork on the outside of the house, as well as having bespoke period coving fitted inside. While being careful to retain the character of the property, I have brought it into contemporary times with the addition of modern features such as a multi-room audio-visual system, which makes the house very user-friendly and easy to live in.”

Now, this is the ideal home for everyday family life and entertaining alike. “The living room is a lovely space in which to relax all year round,” says the owner, “whether enjoying the light through the large windows on long summer evenings or settling down in front of the fire with a glass of wine on winter nights. The house as a whole is one of the best I have ever lived in for entertaining and has seen many family gatherings and celebrations during our time here, from dinner parties for 14 people, to relaxed barbecues for all our neighbours and friends.”

Indeed, the splendid gardens serve as an extension of the indoor living accommodation during the warmer months of the year. “The summerhouse and adjoining patio area are ideal for al fresco entertaining,” the owner says, “complete with music from the outdoor speakers.

The extensive lawns have allowed me to host larger gatherings, too, most notably my 50th birthday party with a marquee on the grass. Day to day, the garden is wonderfully private, with large mature trees for cover and shade. The garden is not overlooked by any neighbouring properties, so feels very secluded. I have taken great joy in watching the colours change throughout the seasons, and there is nothing better than mowing the grass on a Saturday morning then looking out the window later that day to see the satisfying stripes on the lawn. Further, having so much outdoor space is fantastic for children, not to mention the dog!”

The local area has much to recommend it, too. “We have many fantastic walks right from our doorstep,” says the owner, “my favourite being a stroll along the river to St. Ives or through the surrounding fields with the dog. The village is very picturesque and has a great sense of community, with social activities including safari suppers in various homes across the village; Christmas festivities in the square; and an annual summer music festival with live bands playing on the green.

There are two friendly pubs serving good food, and a village shop stocked with all the daily necessities. All in all, I believe this is one of the best villages in England – a fabulous place to live, with a group of wonderful residents whom I shall dearly miss.”

Village information
The pretty riverside village of Houghton lies between the market towns of Huntingdon to the west and St Ives to the east. Much of Houghton falls within a Conservation Area with many buildings of architectural interest together with the flood meadows and pretty countryside. Local amenities within the village include: shops, a community owned general store which houses a post office, a village hall, two pubs and a primary school. The village hall hosts a range of activities from baby and toddler groups, Pilates, karate and dancing and is also available for private hire.

Nearby Wyton and Hartford marinas provide a range of leisure facilities. There are more comprehensive shopping and leisure facilities in nearby Huntingdon and St Ives including most major supermarkets. Cambridge is about 20 miles away and offers a wide range of cultural, leisure and shopping facilities together with its well renowned University colleges.

Transport
There is good road access north and south via the A1 and east and west by the A14. The new guided bus service now provides direct access into Cambridge. Nearby Huntingdon has a mainline train station providing fast services into London in approx. 50 minutes and to the North via Peterborough. Train connections via London provide easy access further South to Brighton and direct links to Gatwick Airport with the new Elizabeth Line taking you directly through Farringdon to London Heathrow Airport.

Education
There is a playgroup and primary school in Houghton and is in the catchment area for St Peter’s secondary school in Huntingdon. Other nearby primary schools include: Wyton on the Hill Community Primary School, Thorndown Primary School in St Ives and Hemingford Grey Primary School. Other nearby secondary schools include St Ivo School in St Ives and Hinchingbrooke School in Huntingdon. There is also a wide range of well-regarded independent schools for all age groups in Cambridge.

Agents Notes
Tenure: Freehold
Year Built: 1830-1840s
EPC: Exempt – Grade II Listed
Local Authority: Huntingdon District Council
Council Tax Band: H


IMPORTANT NOTE TO POTENTIAL PURCHASERS & TENANTS:
We endeavour to make our particulars accurate and reliable, however, they do not constitute or form part of an offer or any contract and none is to be relied upon as statements of representation or fact. The services, systems and appliances listed in this specification have not been tested by us and no guarantee as to their operating ability or efficiency is given. All photographs and measurements have been taken as a guide only and are not precise. Floor plans where included are not to scale and accuracy is not guaranteed. If you require clarification or further information on any points, please contact us, especially if you are travelling some distance to view. POTENTIAL PURCHASERS: Fixtures and fittings other than those mentioned are to be agreed with the seller. POTENTIAL TENANTS: All properties are available for a minimum of six months, with the exception of short term accommodation. A security deposit of at least one month’s rent is required. Rent is to be paid one month in advance. It is the tenant’s responsibility to insure any personal possessions.
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