Blue Gates, Blue Gates, Coton, Cambridgeshire

Blue Gates is a remarkably unique home on the fringes of Coton, a peaceful village four miles from Cambridge. Completed in 2009, its post-and-beam timber frame formation was conceived by Pagano and has a mid-century appeal in its use of warm-toned Austrian pinewood and relaxed indoor-outdoor flow. Unfolding over around 5,500 sq ft, the home has four bedrooms, open-plan living areas set beneath towering ceilings and beautiful southern aspects. It has an indoor pool, as well as beautiful grounds of around 1.6 acres and a detached two-bedroom annexe. A 15-minute bike ride, along footpaths and cycle tracks, leads straight to the city centre.



The Designer



Pagano is a family-run Italian company that has been building prefabricated luxury houses since 1959. It makes masterful use of environmentally friendly, FSC-certified wood to realise beautiful environments that prioritise light and comfort. Blue Gates is thought to be their only home in the UK.



The Tour



The house is approached via two sets of electric gates; a driveway with hedging on both sides leads to the main entrance and a roofed carport. The gravelled forecourt has well-tended leafy borders with an array of mature trees providing exceptional privacy.



Arranged around a precise 2.5m x 2.5m modular grid, the house hovers above the ground, its exposed timber structure complemented by a combination of full-height glazing, sliding screens, pocket doors, and panelled infills. South-facing wraparound covered balconies on both floors form an integral part of the house’s character and layout.



Underfloor heating, powered by an air source heat pump, runs throughout most of the ground floor. There is a Bticino light and security system, automated blinds, and photovoltaic solar panels.



Past a short flight of steps, the recessed entrance opens to the airy hall. Within, the serene, restrained palette continues to enhance a connection with the lush external greenery, visible throughout the house.



Ahead lie the main living rooms. Abundant natural light streams in from east, south, and west-facing glazing, illuminating the interiors from dawn to dusk. An open-plan configuration, subtly delineated by a series of wide pocket screens, affords a series of versatile spaces.



Partially fitted beneath a dramatic double-height atrium, the generous sitting area is orientated towards a wood-burning fireplace and has sliding doors opening to the expansive roofed terrace and dining area with compelling open countryside views. A snug and a generous art studio with access to the garden sit alongside.



The kitchen and dining room is also adjacent. A large island sits surrounded by generous runs of base cupboards and a wall of pressed bamboo-fronted tall units. A red Richmond range cooker adds colour, and the nearby walk-in pantry provides additional storage.



The study, positioned off the entrance hall, is a quiet retreat. There is also a well-positioned utility room, accessible from the carport.



An inner hall leads to an impressive indoor leisure wing, home to a 15-metre Indian-tiled pool (heated mainly by solar panels), a sauna, a hot tub, and a changing room. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to a southern sun deck, cantilevered above the pond.



Light from above bathes the centrally positioned staircase. This ascends to a galleried landing, set beneath a vaulted, lanterned ceiling.



The spacious principal bedroom is a bright space with views across the garden. It has a balcony, a walk-in dressing room, a separate WC and an en suite bathroom with a freestanding tub, a shower, and a double vanity set in marble.



There are three additional double bedrooms at the front of the plan. Two share a Jack-and-Jill bathroom with a shower, while the third has an en suite. A library completes the first floor and has sliding doors to a sunroom.



Outside is a serene two-bedroom annexe, with an open-plan living space, two shower rooms, a study and a generous south-facing balcony.



Outdoor Space



A tranquil rural backdrop complements the house’s striking profile, softened by beautifully maintained gardens with mature trees that provide exceptional privacy.



Large, roofed terraces are found on both levels of the house, allowing for use year-round. On the ground floor, the kitchen opens to an outdoor dining area, and to the side, a cantilevered sun terrace runs along the swimming pool wing.



Stretches of grassy lawn extend outward, punctuated by graceful willow trees and seasonal plantings. The grounds include productive vegetable patches and a thriving orchard bearing apples, plums, and pears.



A versatile garden room, currently used a gym, sits alongside several outbuildings, including sheds and stables, complete with a dedicated tack room and hay store. To the front of the house are also a designated dressage menage and a covered carport, completing the house’s impressive outdoor amenities.



At the end of the garden is a lockable gate that leads to a footpath and onto Coton village, around five minutes' walk away.



The Area



Blue Gates lies on the outskirts of Coton, a pretty village on the edge of Cambridge. It has convenient everyday amenities, including a garden centre and farm shop, a primary school, and a telephone box library. Local pub The Plough is a brilliant spot for a Sunday lunch after a walk in the nearby Coton Countryside Reserve, where kestrels, redwings and woodcocks can be spotted.



Cambridge is a 12-minute drive away from the house, or a 15-minute cycle via a tree-lined path towards Trinity Lane. Its striking historic architecture and world-class university might have established the city's international reputation, but newer additions have proven it to be a city perfectly tuned for modern living.



Local food favourites include Fitzbillies, The Garden Kitchen, and Fancett’s, while the exceptional house-gallery Kettle’s Yard is always worth a visit. We've written more about our recommendations in Cambridge in our residents' guide.



The area is known for its excellent schooling options. The University of Cambridge Primary School, Chesterton Community College and Hills Road Sixth Form College are all well-regarded and close to the house. There are several independent schools in nearby Cambridge, including The Perse School.



Cambridge station is under 25 minutes’ drive or cycle from the house and provides services to London in under an hour and a half. Road connections are excellent for travel by car into London and to both the north and the south. For international travel, Stansted Airport is around 40 minutes’ drive away.



Council Tax Band: G