Mile End Road, Prickwillow, Cambridgeshire

This brilliant four-bedroom converted mill in Prickwillow, Cambridgeshire, is rooted in its arresting environment. The views are spectacular in every season and stretch into the distance from each aspect of the house. Inside, the design is articulated through clean lines and a monochromatic palette that is at once confidently contemporary and a pared-back setting for day-to-day living. Beautiful Ely is a 13-minute drive away; train services run from here to London King's Cross in around 75 minutes.



The Tour



One of a cluster of homes on peaceful Mile End Road, the house is an imposing presence, with its primarily metal-clad exterior and steeply pitched corrugated roof that reflects its industrial heritage. It sits on piloti that raise it from the ground, giving the house a semi-hovering illusion. Entry is through a timber glazed front door, which is conveniently placed beneath a storm porch.



This leads to a hallway, where reclaimed theatre doors open to the open-plan living spaces that dominate much of the ground floor. Here a polished concrete floor unites the areas, which have been cleverly delineated into a dining room, sitting area and kitchen, though unobstructed lines of sight cultivate a feeling of conviviality.



The kitchen is in the far corner of the space and has generous runs of sleek black cabinetry. It is slightly elevated and has concrete-topped units that curve around to form a lookout across the rest of the room. Opposite lies the reception space, which is orientated around a wood-burning fire with a dramatic blackened flue. Double doors lie adjacent and open to a terrace with exquisite Fenland views as well as plenty of space for outdoor dining - there is even a jacuzzi to soak and watch the sunset from.



A playroom/cinema lies beyond the main living spaces. It sits at a lower level, accessed via a short flight of steps, and maintains the lofty ambiance care of its pitched roof and exposed painted rafters. A study and a posy pink WC with playful reclaimed yellow Barbican sink complete the ground-floor plan.



A sculptural pine staircase ascends to the first and second floors, its warm hue a pleasing contrast with the otherwise monochromatic scheme. A secluded seating area tucked away at its foot makes for a private reading nook, while the half landings above afford wonderful viewing platforms for the dramatic surroundings.



The house's main triple aspect principal bedroom suite lies on the upper level. A brilliantly open yet cleverly divided space grounded with stone tiles, especially delightful views are captured by the oval bathtub. The proportions are particularly generous, and its series of windows lend a soaring feel. There is a handy small kitchenette and a walk-in shower is in the far corner, while a flight of painted timber stairs ascends to an additional mezzanine level, presently used as a dressing room.



The remaining bedrooms are similarly serene spaces. One has dual-aspect windows with a romantic seat set beneath. These rooms are grounded with timber flooring. The family bathroom lies alongside. It also has dual-aspect windows as well as a large bathtub and a separate shower.



This house has smart features: its heating is run by a Nest system, and powered via an ASHP.



Outdoor Space



To the front of the house is parking for several cars, alongside bookending planting beds and bounding beech hedging. There is an elevated terrace directly next to the house; steps descend from here to the rear garden. Set against the backdrop of the seemingly endless fens beyond, it provides plenty of space for a summertime kickabout or game of badminton, as well as space to set a pair of loungers in the sun.



An open-fronted garden pavilion sits in one corner, a terrific sheltered spot for pottering, painting and dining alfresco.



The Area



Prickwillow is a small village in the heart of Cambridgeshire; it is said to take its name from the ‘prickets’ of willow used to make thatch that grew in the surrounding marshy land. It sits to the south of the Fens and even has a museum - the Prickwillow Museum - dedicated to telling the area's history.



The area is peppered with walking trails. Particularly lovely are hikes along the banks of the River Lark and the Great River Ouse, where the outlooks are over never-ending riverbanks, meadows and fenscapes, awash with flora, fauna and a great variety of local wildlife and birds.



Ely is four miles west of Prickwillow. The city has a quaint and compact appeal while providing all the amenities needed from a larger hub. Steeped in history, Ely Cathedral is widely acknowledged as one of the ‘wonders of the medieval world’. A cultural hub, the city holds its annual Ely Arts Festival, while Cloister’s Antiques or Babylon Gallery are year-round delights. The gallery resides in a riverside, converted 18th-century brewery warehouse. Around town, there is a thriving local restaurant scene, while pubs like The Red Lion, The Cutter Inn, and Drayman’s Son micro pub upholds East Anglia’s reputation for a refined, rural lifestyle.



There is active boating life in this part of Cambridgeshire, with many options to both moor and rent day cruisers. This is a terrific way to enjoy the charms of the area, while stopping off at the many riverside pubs to savour local fare and enjoy a bankside drink.





There are state-run primary and secondary schools in Ely, Little Port and Soham; private options in easy reach include King's Ely preparatory and senior schools.



Cambridge and King's Lynn are both around a 50-minute drive from the house. Ely station is close by and runs services to London King's Cross in 75 minutes.



Council Tax Band: TBC