High Street, Swineshead, Bedfordshire, MK44

BEAUTIFUL FORMER CHAPEL, DECEPTIVELY SPACIOUS, WITH GLORIOUSLY PEACEFUL GARDEN - AND SOLAR PANELS

A hugely attractive, 19th century, unexpectedly unlisted, detached, former Wesleyan chapel with 3 super bedrooms that gaze out through amazing windows at church or countryside, and with a garage, solar panels and courtyard-style garden that is a pure joy. The Old Chapel in the conservation area of the lovely Bedfordshire, rural village of Swineshead is a home that you cannot help but fall in love with.

Swineshead is one of those unspoilt little villages that lifts the spirits as soon as you drive into it. Yet it’s only a short cycle ride or decent stroll away from the larger village of Riseley, with its C19th pub famed for its good food and beer, its shop and its popular little primary school. Sharnbrook Academy and Sixth Form is a little further on, along with community sports centre, surgery and theatre, whilst the County town, with its world-renowned Harpur Trust private schools and fast trains to London is just a twenty-minute drive or bus journey away. The Old Chapel is within easy reach of every amenity, with Rushden Lakes Shopping Centre about 10 miles away. It’s well-placed for travelling, yet a world away from the madding crowd.

Flanked by gorgeous 16th or 17th century, timber-framed properties, with another one opposite and the Grade I-listed C14th Church of St Nicholas a few yards along the lane, not to mention an iconic, Grade II-listed, K6 telephone box, it’s hard to imagine a nicer setting. The church is rare for remaining open to visitors throughout the day and for its beautiful, recessed, Jurassic limestone spire.

Across the lane from your new home, a public footpath takes you straight into fields and miles of countryside walks. Your dog will also love to take you to the ancient woodland, a site of scientific interest where English bluebells thrive under the great oaks, and if you are up to it on a longer romp through lovely countryside to Upper Dean, with the obligatory stopover at the traditional country pub there. Swineshead and The Old Chapel provide the antidote to a fast-paced world.

MORE ABOUT THE PROPERTY

In an historic High Street where almost every building draws the eye, it takes something special to stand out. The Old Chapel does just that, with its beautiful polychrome brickwork, eaves detail beneath the slate roof and Gothic-style windows and front doorway (still in place from the outside). The round ashlar band proudly tells you of your new home’s heritage.

Where once Wesleyans worshipped, The Old Chapel was converted in the mid-80s for the builder’s own family. It’s little surprise that the one other fortunate owner of this much-loved home lived here for over three decades. With oodles of peaceful space, height and natural light, combined with the character you would expect, The Old Chapel has a great feel.

Sunshine lights up the lovely colours of the Chinese slate that runs throughout downstairs. Beautiful granite-topped, painted wood furniture, complete with pantry cupboard, has been made specially for your kitchen. Breakfast in the garden room, dine and relax in the L-shaped living space, the cosy woodburner beyond the central oak beam throwing heat around the home.

The space upstairs is similarly surprising, even without exploring the exciting possibilities for the loft space. The main bedroom’s bathroom is even large enough to gift space to the shower room. But what lovely rooms these are, with their wonderful, tall, peaked windows, amazingly double-glazed, with inspiring views of other gorgeous houses, countryside and church.

Fling open the French doors from your garden room to the terrace, super for your summer housewarming, bees buzzing over beds of heather, flowering bulbs and willow-leaved cotoneaster aside the detached, solar-panelled utility and garage.

Gorgeous, blue-blossoming wisteria cascades from your timber pergola, mingling with sweet-scented white roses, crocuses springing up through the gravel. With a beautiful, Victorian wall, complete with lovely niches, as well as the wonderful, wavy, old clay-tiled roof of The Post House, to feast your eyes upon all-year-round. From morning coffee to early evening glass of wine, your fabulously peaceful garden is bathed in sunshine. The Old Chapel is delightful inside and out.