Shaws Hill, Whatstandwell

With some of the most impressive views for miles around, this elegant home has been significantly upgraded to a very high standard. A Villeroy & Boch bathroom, new timber-framed window frames with UV protection glazing, oak fitted wardrobes and a high quality kitchen complement several eco-friendly improvements. These include high heat-retention storage heaters, insulation to the outer walls, new Bosch integrated appliances and thermal, remote-control blinds in several rooms.

Situated high above the Derwent Valley, this three storey home has uninterrupted far-reaching views of the verdant hillsides stretching all the way round from the south-east across to the west and round to the north-east...a 270 degree panorama. It's a breathtaking and uplifting scene in all seasons.

On the ground floor, the entrance hallway leads through to an impressive sitting room and the updated kitchen-diner. A timber-framed porch on the side has doors to the front and rear gardens. To the first floor are two double bedrooms, a study and the family bathroom, whilst the self-contained top floor suite has a double bedroom and en-suite shower room.

We love the neat front garden with a lawn and raised dining patio, which is the perfect spot to admire the views. The pretty rear garden borders open countryside where sheep and lambs were grazing on our visit.

Whatstandwell is a hillside village set in rolling countryside beside the River Derwent. The village has a rail station at the bottom of the hill, with regular direct trains to Derby, Nottingham and Matlock and the A6 offers commuters a similar route by car. There are great walks aplenty in all directions and refreshment stop-offs at the nearby Family Tree, as well as lots of pubs and cafes in the nearby villages and towns of Crich, Matlock and Cromford. The High Peak Trail, Cromford Canal and Matlock Bath are all within a 5 minute drive, with the market towns of Matlock, Bakewell, Belper and Ashbourne all within easy reach.

Front Of The Home - Immediately in front of the home is on-street parking where the owners are always able to park their two cars. Enter the front garden through a solid wooden gate with iron latch. A traditional dry stone wall with box hedge above forms the front boundary, with a taller beech hedge to the left hand side. Ascend five stone steps and a path with handrail on the right runs beside the neat rectangular lawn. There are pretty and colourful flower beds in front of the flagstone patio, which has plenty of room for seating and a dining set. We paused here for more than a few moments to admire the stunning views stretching for miles to the south, west and north.

This impressive home was built in 1950 and the new timber-framed windows complement the home perfectly. A path on the right leads to the timber-framed side porch - which has external access to an under-stairs cupboard - and on through to the rear garden.

There is an outside light and an additional light in the covered front porch. Enter the home through the new part-glazed composite front door.

Entrance Hallway - The exquisite entrance hallway is a foretaste of the style and quality throughout the home. With a porcelain tiled floor and high ceiling, there is a staircase on the right with a pine banister and decorative spindles leading to the upper floors. The hallway has an electric Haverland radiator, ceiling light fitting and plenty of space on the right for coats and footwear. Matching timber doors with decorative glazed panels lead into the sitting room and kitchen-diner.

Sitting Room - 4.76 x 3.25 (15'7" x 10'7") - This classically-styled room has new picture-book windows which accentuate the spectacular panoramic views. This carpeted room has a high ceiling with light fitting, Dimplex radiator, fitted remote-control thermal blinds and plenty of room for sofas and additional furniture. A multi-fuel burner and flue sits upon a stone hearth within a cute fireplace. There are wide alcoves to each side. It's a lovely room in which to relax and watch the weather roll by, especially on a cosy autumn or winter's day.

Kitchen-Diner - 5.2 x 4.29 (17'0" x 14'0") - The porcelain tiled floor flows seamlessly through from the entrance hallway into this glorious room. Perfect for entertaining, there is space for a 6+ seater dining table in the centre of the room, with a large ceiling light fitting deliberately situated above. The L-shaped fitted kitchen begins on the left with two wide, tall cabinets including an integral AEG fridge-freezer. Within the substantial former fireplace with brick-style tiled surround is a large Rangemaster stove. It has a five-ring electric hob, ovens and grill.

Moving further along, the solid oak worktop has a large number of cabinets and drawers beneath, including integrated Bosch washing machine and dishwasher. Two large east-facing windows bring lots of natural light in and have views out to the pretty rear garden. There are recessed ceiling spotlights, two radiators, insulated walls and a half-glazed door to the porch and rear garden.

Rear Porch - This useful enclosed space is the perfect spot to kick off muddy boots after a hearty walk around the local countryside. There are lockable doors to the front and rear gardens. This timber-framed room has a flagstone tiled floor, wall-mounted light, power points and external access to an under-stairs cupboard.

Stairs To First Floor Landing - The beautiful staircase has a pine handrail, banister and decorative spindles. The painted wooden stairs have a central runner carpet leading up to the galleried landing. At the first floor is a large window bringing in natural light, which has thermal and roman blinds and a ceiling light fitting.

Matching white panelled doors with chrome handles lead into two double bedrooms, the family bathroom and a study, with stairs leading on up to the top floor master suite.

Bathroom - 2.94 x 1.95 (9'7" x 6'4") - This exceptional bathroom has a new four-piece Villeroy & Boch bathroom, incorporating a bath, shower, sink and WC.

The deep bath has a centrally-located mixer tap and separate hand-held shower attachment, meaning that you can truly stretch out with no taps at the end. A contemporary vanity unit has a wide ceramic rectangular sink with chrome mixer tap and mirrored cabinet above. The ceramic WC has an integral flush.

The shower cubicle has curved sliding glass doors and houses a mains-fed shower with rainforest shower head and a standard shower head, together with useful recessed tiled shelves. We adore the distinctive plum-coloured marmoleum floor and the room also includes a large frosted double-glazed window, ceiling light fitting, extractor fan, vertical heated towel rail and floor-to-ceiling tiled walls on three sides.

Bedroom One - 4.29 x 3.25 (14'0" x 10'7") - This spacious long double bedroom at the rear has charming views of the rear garden and countryside immediately beyond. Triple fitted recessed wardrobes on the left have lots of hanging rails and shelving. There is an additional fitted cupboard to the left, meaning that there's plenty of space in the room itself for a double bed and additional furniture. Currently used as a hybrid office and gym/yoga space, the room is carpeted and has a radiator, ceiling light fitting and fitted window blinds.

Bedroom Two - 4.25 x 3.25 (13'11" x 10'7") - The wide west-facing window perfectly frames the view. This lovely bright and airy room has space for a king size bed, seating and additional furniture. The original fireplace has a decorative iron surround and grate, with tiled hearth and wooden mantelpiece. This carpeted room has a radiator, ceiling light fitting and fitted thermal blinds.

Study - A door on the first floor landing leads into this bespoke study, which has a fitted curved desk on the left and another fitted cabinet beyond the staircase, in front of the tall window. This room is carpeted and has two ceiling light fittings and a radiator. Stairs lead up to the top floor master suite, with a clever fitted bookshelf on the right and open storage on the left.

Bedroom Three - 5.2 x 4.64 and eaves 5.2 x 1.65 and 5.2 x 1.74 (17 - The room opens out at the top of the stairs, with three Velux windows bathing the room in natural light and making it a peaceful and uplifting place to be. There is a door to the en-suite shower room on the right and doors into the huge full-length eaves storage spaces on both sides. This leaves plenty of space in the bedroom itself for a double bed, seating and furniture. The room is carpeted and has recessed ceiling spotlights.

En-Suite Shower Room - 2.64 x 1.86 (8'7" x 6'1") - The shiny new feature in this room is the impressive Villeroy & Boch vanity unit with sink and chrome mixer above. The shower cubicle on the right has a pivoting glass door, subway brick tiled surround and houses a Triton electric shower. The room has tile-effect vinyl flooring, a ceramic WC with integral flush, Velux window, vertical heated towel rail, extractor fan and ceiling light fitting.

Rear Garden - The current owners have significantly improved this garden by levelling and landscaping it. At ground floor level a path runs along the rear of the home, where there is an outside tap, outside light and space for storage.

Four stone steps lead up to the rear garden where the only sounds we could hear were the "baaing" of sheep and chirruping birds. It gets the sun all day, so is the perfect spot for a morning coffee, light lunch and evening drinks.

N.B. New EPC pending - to demonstrate the positive effect of the many eco-friendly upgrades to the home.

Four wide gravelled steps with oak railway sleeper borders lead gently up to the distinctive greenhouse - this may be available by separate negotiation, so please let us know if this is of interest. Two tiers of lawn rise up to the colourful flower bed at the top of the garden. Beyond the low garden fence is open countryside, with a field rising gently to a copse and small woodland. From this highest point in the garden you can see over rooftops to the hills to the south.