The Knoll, Grendon, Northamptonshire, NN7

THE BEST OF MODERN FAMILY LIVING – WITH SUPERB KITCHEN EXTENSION, POOL, GYM AND OUTDOOR OFFICE – AS WELL AS ROOMS THAT COULD FORM AN ANNEXE

A recently renovated, detached ‘forever’ home, with over 4000 sq. ft., including five bedroom-suites, one with a superb roof terrace, and a fabulous, open-plan hub of the home, with a striking, handleless kitchen. The Beeches is surrounded by its own lovely gardens, with a wonderful, heated pool, summerhouse and outdoor cooking area. A hot tub is tucked away. A detached double garage is set out currently as a super gym with office above. On an exclusive, private drive in the delightful village of Grendon - woods and fields running down to lakes on the opposite side - intercom-controlled gates open to gravelled parking for numerous cars and EV charging. With solar panels and air-source heat pump, your new home has it all.

On the borders of Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, just 6 miles from Olney market town, with its many eateries and antique shops, Grendon is a rural village some 15 miles from Milton Keynes and Bedford, and less than 10 from Northampton. Well-placed for travelling by road or rail, it’s just 10 minutes from Wellingborough Station, from where fast trains reach London in 45 minutes.

Wellingborough is home to a highly thought of private school. Other top private schools nearby are in Bedford, Kimbolton and Oundle. The catchment secondary is at Wollaston, just 3 miles away and rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. Buses run from the village to the various schools. How lovely, though, to walk with the children the hundred yards or so to their first school, which has been named the Primary School of the Year at the National TES Awards and ranked in the top 1% nationally for academic performance. Ofsted recently described the school as ‘a very special place’ – not bad to have on your doorstep.

The glorious C12th church is a few yards further on, remains open during the day, and holds a monthly service, as well as one outdoors at the Pocket Park next to the brook. Playing fields and play park are next to the school, as well as a village hall that hosts various events for the friendly community. Grendon Hall, with its restaurant and afternoon teas, as well as Padel courts, is popular with villagers and Grendon Lakes provide fabulous fishing and watersport facilities, as well as Alpine bar and restaurant. Castle Ashby Rural Shopping Yard, with its deli and café, is just a few minutes along the country lane. How fortunate to live in such peaceful surroundings yet close to so many facilities.

MORE ABOUT THE PROPERTY 

As with the great oak, the Beeches has grown from humble beginnings, a ‘60s single-storey property to a fine-looking, beautifully finished, family home. With style and character inside and out. What remains the same is the location, and as soon as you turn into the private drive that borders the Castle Ashby estate, shared with other lovely, individually designed homes, the cares of the day melt away. And as you touch a button and the iron gates open to your new, supremely private and peaceful home, it feels like an oasis of calm.

Beautiful bird-filled trees and hedging that gave your home its name, as well as a graceful silver birch, watch over pretty, pollinator-friendly planting, from sweet-scented lavender, hydrangea, roses and weigela to aquilegia, alliums and anemones – in well-stocked beds and borders around large lawns front and back. Roses, grape vine, clematis and crab apple clamber over arches and pergolas. The lovely, picket-fenced kitchen garden is tucked to the side.

And while you wander along narrow paths or relax in specific seating spots around the gardens, the shed, the greenhouse, composting and watering systems, as well as outdoor storage and loo, not to mention the hot tub, with Bluetooth, are there when you want them – inconspicuous, yet highly valued.

As soon as you step onto the Karndean parquet of the hall, heated underfoot, you realise the light-filled space inside is similarly tastefully designed – and allows for every need. Stylish bathrooms are matched with bedrooms downstairs as well as upstairs. As with one of the other bedrooms, your main suite looks over both front and back gardens. Wallow in the freestanding bath gazing out at the evening sunsets. Wake up to an invigorating, rainfall shower and morning coffee on the super, glass-balustraded roof terrace.

Slump in front of the screen in the snug, a winter log fire in the sitting room, or on the sofas or window seat in the kitchen, watching wildlife and children at play outside. Cook with high-end appliances – instant boiling water from the Quooker - housed in stylish, Dekton-topped, handleless furniture, interiors sliding out. Set the music and the lighting to suit the mood. Eat formally in the dining room, iced water from the fridge/freezer, bottle plucked from the wine cooler; or around the kitchen table or island, both lit by beautiful hand-blown pendants. And it all extends through aluminium, floating corner sliding doors to slate and stone terraces, to the year-round outdoor cooking area, to the pool and to special summers of entertaining and happy family times.