Willets Rise, Shenley Church End

FIRST PLACE

Originally built in the late 1990s as an exclusive five bedroom executive home, the property immediately appealed because of its superb location. “We thought Shenley Church End was a beautiful village,” the owner recalls. “Our boys were five at the time, and the nearby schools were highly rated by Ofsted. It was also just six minutes from the train station, two minutes from the A5 and ten minutes from the M1. It offered everything we needed.” Set on a generous plot in this sought after area, the house also had an excellent footprint. “We could see it was somewhere we could grow into and extend in the future.”

LEISURE AND PLEASURE

Over the years, the owners have significantly enlarged and enhanced the property. The kitchen and dining areas were opened up and extended to create the impressive heart of the home they enjoy today. They also added a stunning gym, complete with vaulted ceiling and bi folding doors opening onto the garden. “The gym was exactly what we wanted because we all enjoy keeping fit, but it’s a flexible space that could serve many purposes for someone else. It’s a fantastic multi use room.” When planning the extension, experts noted the potential of the generous attic space and encouraged the creation of a third storey. “The loft extension gave us two additional bedrooms, including the beautiful master suite with its en suite dressing room and Jack and Jill bathroom.”

EASY LIVING

The property is entered through a welcoming reception hall that leads into all the principal living areas. To the left is the cloakroom and the snug. “When the children were younger, this was a playroom — today it’s a reading room or a place to listen to music.” To the right lies the elegant, long sitting room, centred around a magnificent inglenook fireplace. “This is a wonderful room at Christmas or for family gatherings.” In the summer, French windows open onto the terrace, allowing guests to drift in and out with ease. “At the far end of the room, double doors lead into the study. We chose this layout so that if the children were working in there, or one of us was doing admin, we could still feel connected to the rest of the family.”

A HIGH QUALITY FINISH

The kitchen and dining room, which adjoins a well planned utility room, overlooks the beautifully maintained garden. Bi folding doors can be opened fully on warm days, creating a seamless flow between inside and out. The kitchen features high specification appliances and finishes, including a striking crème island. “Everything here has been completed to a very high standard, yet it still feels like a home. The kitchen is fantastic for entertaining friends and hosting parties, but it is also a wonderful family space — I will miss it a great deal when we move.”

FOND MEMORIES

The first floor offers five bedrooms, one with an en suite shower room and another with an en suite bathroom. The family bathroom is also on this level. “The smaller bedrooms were perfect for our boys when they were little. As they grew older, they each had a larger bedroom and their own bathroom, and we could still accommodate guests with ease.” The top floor is ideal for teenagers or young adults seeking their own space. “For us, it has been a wonderful master suite and an additional room. Everything about this house has been ideal for us, and we will take wonderful memories with us when we leave.”

SETTING THE SCENE

The garden has been beautifully landscaped to offer generous open space for children to play, as well as a stylish pergola with an awning where adults can relax and entertain on the terrace. The double garage leads through to the air conditioned gym, and there is ample off road parking.

Disclaimer

Chewton Rose Estate Agents is the seller's agent for this property. Your conveyancer is legally responsible for ensuring any purchase agreement fully protects your position. We make detailed enquiries of the seller to ensure the information provided is as accurate as possible. Please inform us if you become aware of any information being inaccurate.