Church Street, Whaddon, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8

A Handsome and Elegant former Vicarage with rich interiors and mature grounds

Description

The Old Vicarage is a handsome and unlisted detached period residence, with parts believed to originally date from the 16th Century. The majority of the main house was rebuilt in 1904, constructed of brick elevations beneath a tiled roof. This spacious yet elegant house with high ceilings, generous proportions and well-balanced living space is arranged over two principal floors along with a practical cellar, interiors and mature grounds.

The interiors follow one of the unspoken rules of English Style in that there are no rules, no formulae followed. Vibrant colour palettes, a nod to the influential 20th-century designer David Hicks, combined with interiors that draw inspiration from an eclectic mix of styles and designers, create character, warmth and timelessness throughout. The principal reception rooms are predominantly west-facing, drawing in natural light and attractive views across the mature, secluded gardens. The house is entered via an arched canopy leading into an entrance lobby and an impressive central staircase hall, from where the principal reception rooms flow naturally. At the southern end lie the drawing room and a comfortable sitting room, interconnected with wide double doors allowing the option of a free flowing space for entertaining, with both rooms having regularly used fireplaces. The dining room, with doors either side of its fireplace, connects both to the hall and to the breakfast room, offering flexibility for both formal entertaining and day-to-day living.

Internally, the house retains a wealth of character features, including a broad, gently rising turning staircase, deep-set windows with glazing bars, bay windows, parquet flooring, decorative cornicing, panelled doors and a series of working fireplaces.

The breakfast room, with its grand Aga as a focal point, forms the heart of the home, where informal meals are enjoyed. It leads through to the adjoining fitted galley kitchen, which has a highly practical and efficient layout. The kitchen is fitted with granite work surfaces, a large double-bowl stainless steel sink with double drainer and mixer taps, along with a comprehensive range of cupboards and wall and base units. Just off the breakfast room is access to the cellar, currently arranged as a wine store and one of the owner’s favourite spaces.

The first floor provides six bedrooms, including a principal suite comprising a bedroom, dressing room (which could alternatively serve as bedroom six), and a bathroom. A second bedroom suite also benefits from a dressing room and private bathroom. Three further bedrooms are served by a family bathroom.

Approached via a sweeping driveway, the house enjoys a sense of arrival, opening to a generous parking and turning area. There is an alarmed triple garage with electrically operated roller doors (one single and one double), together with a number of useful outbuildings including a potting shed, work shed, wood store and a gardener’s cloakroom.

The gardens and grounds extend to approximately 1.36 acres and provide a private, mature setting, framed by established trees and planting. The principal garden lies to the west of the house, benefitting from afternoon and evening sun and offering an attractive outlook from the main rooms.

Further benefits include solar panels, a Tesla battery and an EV charging point, blending period charm with modern efficiency. The property also offers immediate “move-in” potential.

Location

Whaddon is a small village situated in South Cambridgeshire, just under 4 miles north of Royston and 13 miles from the historic city of Cambridge. The village itself benefits from a playground, church, village hall where there are classes and events held throughout the year. The villages of Bassingbourn (2.9 miles) and Kneesworth (1.8 miles) also provide further amenities including public houses, restaurants and coffee shops.

Royston has a wider array of amenities including supermarkets, doctor’s surgery, and train station which provides regular services to London King’s Cross in as little as 37 minutes. There is also an additional train station just 2.2 miles away in Meldreth with services along the same line into King’s Cross and Cambridge. For the road commuter, Whaddon is situated just 3.4 miles from the A10 which grants access to the north to Cambridge and to the south towards London and the M25.

For schooling, there are primary schools in the nearby villages of Orwell (4.8 miles), Meldreth, Melbourn (2.9 miles), and Bassingbourn. For secondary schooling, Bassingbourn and Melbourn both offer village colleges, as well as Comberton (8.6 miles) and the city of Cambridge. There are also further reputable independent schools available for all ages in Cambridge, including The Perse, The Leys, St Faiths and the Stephen Perse Foundation to name a few.

All distances and times are approximate.

Square Footage: 4,522 sq ft