Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire, MK45

WHITEHALL LODGE AND THE GARDEN HOUSE REPRESENT A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE TWO DETACHED HOMES SET IN A MOST PRIVATE LOCATION SURROUNDED BY WOODLAND AND OPEN COUNTRYSIDE.

Whitehall Lodge and The Garden House provide seclusion without isolation and the combination of both properties offer great flexibility for a large extended family or those returning from university, additional holiday income potential or the much in demand home office complex.

These unique properties are equally matched by their delightful private woodland setting adjacent to Wrest Park, a fine Grade I Listed mansion and gardens built by the second Earl De Grey in 1835 now owned and cared for by English Heritage. Whitehall Lodge is believed to have been the original gardener’s cottage to Wrest Park and its period character is echoed throughout.

In total there is 3,893 square foot of accommodation which can be arranged to suit one’s lifestyle, family needs or to incorporate a business as well. Outside the gardens are 0.7 of an acre and are full of colour with extensive terraced seating areas, established lawns, planted borders and fine mature trees along with a Scotts of Thrapston stable block/gym and a garage.

The Lodge is refreshingly light and well-proportioned having impressive corniced ceiling heights of over 9 feet and tall Georgian sash style windows. Many of the rooms are dual and triple aspect taking advantage of the woodland views and features of the property include an excellent size family kitchen/diner and Amdega conservatory which forms the heart of the home. The layout is very flexible with a central ‘atrium’ and the accommodation can be arranged as three living rooms and three bedrooms or two living rooms and four bedrooms to suit.

Totally independent, The Garden House has been developed by our clients in the last 4 years and offers very comfortable living and/or work space plus its own garden and garage. The accommodation comprises of a hall, wc, kitchen, utility, sitting room, four double bedrooms, ensuite and main bathroom.

A viewing is essential to appreciate the lifestyle opportunity on offer at Whitehall Lodge and The Garden House.

ACCOMMODATION
The Lodge is entered via double doors with a fan light above into a tiled vestibule and a further glazed door leads into the main reception hall. Features include a moulded arch, fine corniced ceilings and plaster niches. Lying to the right hand side, the sitting room is a most impressive triple aspect room with the tall, corniced ceilings and a feature fireplace which has an inset cast iron multi fuel burning stove. Double doors with flank windows lead to the garden and terrace, whilst a second set of bi-folding wooden doors open to access the dining or family room which is ideal for entertaining. Leading from this room there is a study facing to the front aspect and this room can be used as a fourth bedroom if required.
Forming the heart of the home and an ideal size for modern family living, the kitchen and conservatory/garden room have a light and pleasant open outlook over the garden and woodland. The kitchen itself is fitted with a range of cream base and wall units with inset sink and granite work surfaces. Integrated appliances include electric oven, hob, corner extractor, microwave and dishwasher. Within the room there is a black gloss cast iron multi fuel burning stove and the conservatory has ample space for table, chairs and sofas and is an ideal area for entertaining. There are two sets of bi-fold and double doors providing access to the terrace and garden.
Flowing to the left of the main hall is a unique inner atrium with high vaulted ceiling and two roof lights. The bedrooms and bathroom all radiate from the atrium and there is a useful full length storage cupboard. The main bedroom is dual aspect with pleasant outlook and has a good range of tall built in wardrobes along with an ensuite comprising of a free standing roll top bath, wash basin, wc with mirror fronted cupboards to one wall and a heated towel rail.
Bedroom two is also dual aspect with built in wardrobes and chest of drawers and the third bedroom faces to the front.
The family bathroom is a good size and comprises a large walk in shower cubicle, bath, wash basin and wc with complimentary tiling to splash areas. Completing the accommodation, off the atrium is a useful utility room with a range of floor and wall cupboards, sink unit, storage cupboards and space for washing machine and tumble dryer.

THE GARDEN HOUSE
Fully detached, The Garden House lends itself to a wide variety of uses such as a substantial annex for extended family, a superb work from home premise or even holiday letting income potential.
Inside, there is a traditional hall with stairs rising to the first floor. The sitting room is dual aspect with double doors and windows offering pleasant garden views and leads to the smartly fitted kitchen. With modern units and granite work surfaces, the kitchen has built in double oven, hob and dishwasher and across the hall there is a matching utility room with base and wall cupboards, sink unit with granite work surfaces and space for a washing machine, tumble dryer and a handy internal door to the garage. A fully tiled cloakroom with wc and wash basin completes the ground floor.
On the first floor there are four double bedrooms, all of which have very pleasant views and the landing has access to the loft with a further full height picture window. The main bedroom has a good range of modern double wardrobes and the ensuite is fully tiled with a walk-in shower, twin wash hand basins and a wc. The bathroom is fitted with a suite of bath and shower over, a wash basin, wc and is also fully tiled. Bedroom two is dual aspect with a double width main window offering stunning views, currently used as a home office.

THE GROUNDS
The overall plot is 0.7 of an acre and the gardens are very pleasant, being very well maintained and offer a great deal of privacy. As you approach Whitehall Lodge there is a large block paved drive for several cars, a main pathway to the front door and an additional parking area to the left of the Lodge.
Double gates with a feature wall lead to the gardens which have extensive terracing with balustrades and further paved terrace and pathways connecting both properties. There are large shaped lawns with well stocked borders and planted shrubs with mature trees including willow and oak and woodland beyond. The boundaries are all enclosed with fencing and hedging and there are a number of floodlights around the properties.
The Garden House has a separate five bar entrance gate to one side and the garden can be separated from the Lodge to form its own private area if needed. Lying to the eastern corner of the garden there is a Scotts of Thrapston stable block and clock tower which comprises of a large foaling box, two loose stables and a lockable tack room. These buildings also provide excellent storage for garden tools, equipment and space as a gym etc. A single garage is sited within The Garden House and has a side storage area with an oil boiler and hot water cylinder along with power and light.
Agents Note: There are two external oil tanks and the boiler for Whitehall Lodge is housed in an external cupboard.

LOCATION
The village of Silsoe provides a new Co-op store, lower school, parish church and is the home of Wrest Park a French inspired stately home and grounds which are open to the public. More extensive shopping and leisure facilities are available nearby in Flitwick, Ampthill and the popular market town of Hitchin (both Waitrose). The area is well served by schooling both private and state, including the renowned Harpur Trust schools in Bedford with coach service from the village. The village enjoys good road communications with easy access to Junction 12 of the M1 motorway, A1 and A6 trunk roads. Commuting to London is provided from Flitwick to Kings Cross Thameslink/Moorgate and Hitchin to Kings Cross reaching the capital within 40 minutes. European air travel is available from nearby Luton, with Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted further afield.

PROPERTY INFORMATION
Services: Mains water, electricity and private drainage.
Central heating via oil fired boiler for both properties
Local Authority: Central Bedfordshire Council.
Tel:
Outgoings: Council Tax Band “G” for the whole property
Tenure: Freehold.
EPC Rating – Main House: “E” Annexe “C”
Viewing: Strictly by appointment through the sole agents Jackson-Stops 1 Market Place, Woburn, MK17 9PZ. Tel -