Court House, Little Brickhill, Buckinghamshire

Tucked away in Little Brickhill, Buckinghamshire, this remarkable four-bedroom, Grade II-listed house was the setting of the county's 15th-century assize court. It has a wealth of period features, including a series of moulded stone fireplace surrounds and several panelled oak doors. Versatile living spaces extend over 2,874 sq ft, including a self-contained studio with its own private entrance. To the rear, a patio terrace extends toward a lawned area with a magnificent horse chestnut tree, two contained period stables and a carport for two vehicles. Leighton Buzzard rail station is a 14-minute drive away, with regular services to London Euston in 35 minutes.



Setting the Scene



The Court House was the location for the Buckinghamshire assize court from 1443 to 1638. These regional courts were presided over by visiting judges from London, a system later replaced by the crown court in the late 18th century. The house was also used as the venue for county meetings and elections.



Parts of the building’s timber frame date to the 15th century, while its neat brick Jacobean-style façade with limestone detailing was added in the 19th century. Its striking exterior is characterised by four brick gables and a series of stone-mullioned casement windows.



The Grand Tour



A timber-panelled front door framed by a Tudor style arched doorway forms the entrance to the house. Inside, an entrance hall with flagstone flooring opens onto a grand sitting room with wall panelling and an inglenook fireplace with pretty red brickwork and stone surround is fitted with a restored French Enamel stove converted to gas power. The space is illuminated by a set of leaded casement windows opposite a glazed door with access to the rear garden.

In the dining room, a second inglenook fireplace has an original timber bressumer beam, while a bank of casement windows captures views of the front garden.



A bright kitchen sits adjacent. Here, original terracotta floor tiling complements eggshell-blue cabinetry, which has been topped with walnut-wood work surfaces. A cream-coloured dual-fuel Aga sits within a brick alcove, a shelf cleverly installed behind for easy access to pots and pans. A music room and a utility room with additional space for storage and appliances extend from the kitchen.



From the utility room is a studio with a private entrance. Exposed timber beams support its gently sloped roof, and there is an attached shower room.



An original staircase ascends from the dining room to the first floor. In the principal bedroom, timber studs are visible markers of the house’s long history. A cast-iron fireplace with a large stone surround occupies a central position, and the space is filled with light from windows on two sides. An en suite shower room is attached.



There are three further bedrooms on this floor. One has fitted storage, while another has an exposed brick alcove where a fireplace once stood. The third bedroom is currently used as an office and can be accessed from a separate staircase in the music room. A large, shared bathroom includes a roll-top Victorian bathtub.



Below the house, two cellar rooms provide ample room for storage.



The Great Outdoors



To the rear of the house, a spacious patio terrace provides opportunities for outdoor dining. A lawned area is home to a magnificent horse chestnut tree, and there is a divided brick outbuilding, formerly stables with attached double carport.



The Great Outdoors



To the rear of the house, a spacious patio terrace provides opportunities for outdoor dining. A lawned area is home to a magnificent horse chestnut tree, and there is a divided brick outbuilding, formerly stables with attached double carport.



Out and About



Little Brickhill is a peaceful village that became part of the Woburn Estate in the 1840s when the Duke of Bedford purchased the village and its surrounding area. Today, parts of the Woburn Estate still remain in Little Brickhill, highlighting the historical and ongoing connection between the two. It has a farm shop, a church and local pub, The George, known for its excellent hog roasts.



The adjacent village of Woburn has fine dining at Michelin-recommended Paris House and contemporary European cuisineat Lussmanns and Margo's, a deli/restaurant from the 2016 Great British Bake Off winner. The Woburn Estate is well worth the visit - it comprises a remarkable country house, beautiful landscaped grounds and a deer park designed by Humphry Repton.



The floodplains of the Great Ouse and its tributaries have been transformed into linear parks that run through the nearby city of Milton Keynes. Today, its 'strings' provide access to green spaces for walking, cycling, and practising outdoor sports. The Ouse Valley Park is a complex wetland teeming with little egrets, owls and goosander birds, while the Stony Stratford Nature Reserve is known for its waterfowl and waders.



For shopping and entertainment, the Grade II-listed centre:mk includes a renowned art gallery and independent cinema, with a programme of exhibitions. The local area is also home to Bletchley Park, the famous World War II code-breaking site, which is open to visitors.



There are a number of excellent schooling options in the area, including Stowe School, Swanbourne House School, Thornton College and Akeley Wood as well as the nearby renowned Bedford Harpur Trust Schools and Bedford School for Boys.



Leighton Buzzard rail station is approximately a 14-minute drive away from the house and runs regular services to London Euston in 35 minutes. There is also a service to London Euston from Milton Keynes, 25 minutes' drive away. For international travel, Luton airport is a 35-minute drive from the house.



Council Tax Band: G