ANIMAL MAGIC

Built in 4 bays, the oldest believed to date back to the 14th century, 17th century middle bays and the Victorian last bay, the Grade II-listed Bletchley property is believed to have originally been a small one-up, one-down farmhouse called Fir Tree Farm. “I have restored a few old houses in my lifetime, and I knew that Zebby was special” recalls the owner, who thinks of the house as a “she.” “I woke up on my first morning here and realised I had bought a zebra! Everything was painted black and white, including beams, carpets, door frames and parts of the wooden floors. That was when I started calling Melville Farm ‘Zebby’.”

GORGEOUS INTERIORS

Still nicknamed Zebby, the picture-postcard house is now an exquisite home worthy of the pages of any glossy homes or interiors magazine. Rooms are light and airy, living spaces are comfortable and bright, with honey-coloured oak beams and neutral clay painted lime pillow plastered walls beautifully complementing the style and ambience of the unique house. In careful collaboration with planners and conservation experts, every corner of Melville Farm has been lovingly restored. The owner has worked with experts to oversee the skilled work and source just the right high-quality products to ensure the timber-framed building not only looks splendid but can also breathe and retain its structure long into the future. “I don’t believe many own a historical building like this. I think of ourselves as guardians. It has been a pleasure to have been part of her history I hope she survives for another 300 or more years, with new guardians to watch over her,”

A WARM WELCOME

Nestled in glorious, mature gardens, Melville Farm is entered from the front. At ground-floor level there is a capacious sitting room, large dining room and generous kitchen. There is also a boot room, utility room and cloakroom. “I changed the usage of certain rooms to enhance the flow. I love the way you can walk between the living spaces, perfect for daily living and entertaining. I love cooking and having visitors, everyone feels comfortable and loves being here.” Fireplaces make fabulous focal points within the rooms. All 22 windows have been carefully restored and bring natural light streaming in. “Blinds in all rooms – upstairs from Sanderson – were made to measure in a honeycomb design, which keeps the warm air in.”

MODERN LIVING

Two staircases lead up to the first floor, where the layout of the four good-sized bedrooms, all with gorgeous wooden floors, and the two bathrooms offers privacy to guests. “You don’t have to walk through the middle of the house upstairs,” she observes. The complete restoration of the house saw materials retained wherever possible, even if that meant using them elsewhere in the property. The extent of the renovation work provided the opportunity to incorporate and hide high-tech, contemporary features, such as modern pipework, a fire alarm system, fibre Wi-Fi, CAT5 cabling, smart Lightwave switches and LED skirting board uplighters.

EXCELLENT LOCATION

In the winter, Melville Farm is cosy and warm; in the summer, the owner relishes the cool interior and her magnificent garden. She enjoys walking just 20 minutes to Bletchley Park one direction and open countryside the other. “This is a wonderfully convenient place to live – I am on a small spur road off Shenley Road, one minute’s walk from two small supermarkets, a hairdresser’s, post box, cash machine and bus stop, and I’m 17 minutes’ walk from Bletchley mainline train station.”. “I will miss this incredible house” she admits. “I have put my heart and soul into this renovation, but it is time for someone else to love her as much as I do and take her forward into the future.”

SETTING THE SCENE

Melville Farm sits comfortably within its leafy, lawned gardens. These have been restored to create wonderful sun-soaked spaces and pretty, shady corners for outdoor living and entertaining in the warmer months. There is a garage. The roof was rethatched in 2010, and the roof ridge and porch were rethatched in 2024. “The three running hares were put on the ridge at the same time,” says the owner. “They are purely decorative, but they make me and my neighbours smile.”

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.