Candleford House, Auchtertool, Kirkcaldy, Fife, KY2

Beautifully upgraded, original manse house set in over 3 acres of spectacular gardens.

Description

Candleford House dates back to 1812, and was designed and built by the renowned Scottish architect James Gillespie Graham as the manse to Auchtertool Parish Church. It sits in a beautifully rural position surrounded by mature trees, but with easy commuting links into Edinburgh. The manse passed into private ownership in 1970, and has recently been extensively upgraded by the current owners, while retaining an abundance of traditional character throughout. Significant improvements include the full upgrading of the accommodation, an overhaul of the roof, new radiators and boiler. Of historical note, the house was regularly frequented by author and historian Thomas Carlyle in the 1800s, as he was married to the cousin of the church minister at the time’s cousin, Jane Welsh (according to “Kirk & Parish of Auchtertool” 1908, and “Villages of Fife” 2002).

The house’s two principal reception rooms sit south-facing either side of the central reception hall, both with fabulous views over the gardens. The drawing room has an attractive bow-end with easterly views over the garden, and a central fireplace with carved stone mantelpiece. The double-length dining room / library also has a fireplace. The kitchen / breakfast room sits to the rear of the entrance hall and offers open plan space, with a family area overlooking the kitchen. The kitchen is fitted with wall and base cabinetry incorporating a Belfast sink overlooking the garden, with integrated appliances including a two-oven AGA. The kitchen also features a characterful decorative cast iron range. Beyond is a back hall with door leading outside, and off here sits the utility room, larder and a store cupboard. There is also a ground floor bathroom situated off the central hall.

The staircase leads up from the entrance hall to the wonderfully bright first floor landing, overlooked by a two double arched, south-facing window to the garden. The principal bedroom sits above the drawing room, and replicates its attractive bow end to the east. The views to the south and east over the gardens are stunning. A door connects through to the adjacent main bathroom, which also has a separate door onto the main landing. The bathroom has a copper freestanding bath and Acomo multi-jet steam shower. There are four further, well-proportioned double bedrooms on this floor. Two of them sit to the back of the house, accessed by a short set of stairs from a mid-landing. There is also a further bathroom with Victorian-style fittings, and a separate WC. The main staircase continues up to the second floor which was once the maids’ quarters. There are four attic rooms, partially under-eaves.

The gardens and grounds at Candleford House are equally as spectacular as the house itself, extending to just over three acres in all. Electric gates open up to the tree-lined gravelled driveway which sweeps through the gardens and up to the front of the house where there is a generous parking area. It then continues around to the back of the house where there are two double garages, one of which is fitted with work benches. A tractor store sits behind one of the garages, and a garden store. There is also a wooden summerhouse with a patio and electricity supply.

The gardens are surrounded and interspersed by a wonderful variety of mature trees including copper beech and oak. The front garden to the south of the house is maintained by a Husqvarna robo-mower which is included in the sale. A former grass tennis court sits to the east of the house, and would be a good site for a tennis court if desired. The stunning views from the bottom of the garden reach far across the neighbouring farmland towards the Firth of Forth, the Bass Rock and North Berwick Law in the distance.

Location

Candleford House is set in beautiful mature grounds adjacent to Auchtertool Kirk, and surrounded by attractive farmland, about a mile from the rural village of Auchtertool. The village has a primary school and village hall.

Aberdour is a historic coastal village in the Kingdom of Fife situated on the Firth of Forth, about 5.5 miles to the south. It is a pleasant and peaceful community which also acts as a commuter village to the larger local towns as well as Edinburgh. The location, a short distance from the golf course, tennis club and beaches, is excellent for families. The village has two beaches, including popular Silver Sands, which is considered one of the finest Blue Flag beaches in Scotland.

Edinburgh is only 23 miles away and Edinburgh Airport (20 miles) is on the near side of the city. The M90, just 6.5 miles to the west, provides excellent driving links to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth. The nearby railway stations at Aberdour and Kirkcaldy (both within 5.5 miles) provide regular services into Edinburgh.

Kirkcaldy provides all essential facilities including supermarkets, shops, schools, professional services and a hospital. The Fife Coastal Path is an attractive walk which links Kirkcaldy to Kinghorn and Aberdour. There are golf courses at Kinghorn, Aberdour, Kirkcaldy and Burntisland with a further selection of links courses along the Fife coast. St Andrews, the “Home of Golf”, is 34 miles to the north.

Square Footage: 3,808 sq ft


Acreage: 3.1 Acres

Additional Info

Services - Mains electricity. Private drainage to septic tank. Oil fired central heating. Private water supply.

Others - There is a right of access over the access track leading to the public road. Maintenance is shared four ways.

Local Authority & tax band - Fife Council tax band G

What3Words - ///instant.headings.seasons

Listing - Candleford House is Category B Listed

Fixtures & Fittings - Fitted curtains, carpets, blinds, light fittings and integrated white goods are included in the sale.

Servitude rights, burdens and wayleaves - The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all servitude rights, burdens, reservations and wayleaves, including rights of access and rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and wayleaves for masts, pylons, stays, cable, drains and water, gas and other pipes, whether contained in the Title Deeds or informally constituted and whether referred to in the General Remarks and Stipulations or not. The Purchaser(s) will be held to have satisfied himself as to the nature of all such servitude rights and others.

Photographs: May 2025
Brochure Code 250501