High Hurstwood, TN22 4BQ, United Kingdom

The Farmhouse interior dates from the Late Medieval period, with significant alterations around 1590 and the early 18th century. It features numerous original character details, from its beautiful beamed ceilings and exposed brickwork to a huge inglenook fireplace and wood-burning stoves. Period authentic finishes, using lime wash or breathable paints, have also been used throughout.

 

Once a thriving farm, in 1980, the house was split into smaller parts, with the farmhouse incorporating the main building and farmyard. The outbuildings are equally historic, with the detached annexe originally used as an Oast House and accommodation for stable lads. You’ll also find stable units, an old forge, a detached utility room and an open cart barn.

 

In 2011, the current owners undertook a full restoration, including replacing all the electrics and plumbing and installing a new boiler and wood burners. During this time, some of the windows were lovingly replaced with facsimiles of the originals and the roof was treated.

 

As you approach the farmhouse via Fowley Lane, you’ll enjoy far-reaching views across the rolling countryside. Pull in through the five-bar gate to feel an instantly magical atmosphere created by the formal gardens, woodland and paddocks enclosing a fairy-tale-like exterior of stone and brick timber-framed walls and a sloping terracotta tiled roofline.

 

There is ample parking on a gravelled driveway screened by mature hedging and in the detached timber garage to the rear. For now, cross the York stone terrace framing the circular front lawn and wood-chipped rose garden to find a traditional white-panelled front door with iron hinges and a matching letterbox.

 

Stepping through, you’re greeted by a spacious and welcoming hallway, where reconditioned lead-light windows to the front and rear and fresh white paintwork ensure a light and airy feel. At the same time, beautiful oak doors to match the staircase, sturdy original beams, exposed stonework, and a cast-iron radiator add warmth and character, setting the tone for the house.

 

The red floor tiles underfoot complement the original 18th-century brick and stone floor in the beamed breakfast kitchen on your left. Made and installed by Mark Wilkinson, it features a range of country-shaker-style cabinetry and bar with granite and marble worktops and a bespoke circular table with built-in seating, brightened by spot lights and wide windows to three sides.

 

Integrated appliances and details include a Lacanche range cooker, a wine fridge, a double butler sink, pantry cupboards, a second sink to the island, a dishwasher, a cleverly disguised Kitchen Aid pull-out fridge and freezer, composting and hidden bins, The detached utility room, easily accessible from the kitchen’s side door, contains a washing machine and dryer, an additional sink, extra storage units, a traditional pulley laundry hanger to the vaulted ceiling, and a WC. It also houses the boiler and pressurised hot water tank.

 

Returning to the hallway, you’ll find an in-built cupboard and space for shoe storage beneath the stairs before reaching the steps down into the home’s main living area. To the front, large leaded windows, including an angular feature window, and white walls pair for a bright and inviting atmosphere.

 

Meanwhile, gorgeous beams culminate in a bressummer above an impressive inglenook fireplace with a wood burner. Once the original kitchen fireplace, it retains old spit bearings and marks in the stone wall where the knives were sharpened, as well as a bread oven to the rear. Now, it’s used as an intimate gathering place for passing the winter months with family and friends.

 

The exposed wooden floorboards, beams, and cast-iron radiators continue in the adjoining dining room, which overlooks the east and western sides of the house to capture morning and evening light. Bespoke library shelving with traditional-style spotlights above, line one wall, granting a sophisticated air for dining by a restored brick fireplace with a cosy wood-burning stove or serving drinks from the cocktail bar area.

 

A door from the dining room leads through to a lovely additional hall area, snug, or reading nook with slate-tiled flooring, a sloped beamed roof, a low latticed window, and in-built storage and shelving. Beyond, you’ll also find a downstairs bathroom with traditional sanitary ware and heated towel rail and a large modern shower enclosure.

 

Take the oak staircase to the first floor, where you’ll discover a bright galleried landing with leafy views through the characterful windows to the front and rear and a built-in storage cupboard. The cream carpet continues in all five spot-lit bedrooms, which are neutrally decorated like the rest of the house and warmed by cast-iron radiators and exposed timbers.

 

To your right, steps lead down to a spacious king-sized master bedroom featuring a fireplace with a brick hearth, alcove shelving, and a cupboard behind a beautiful exposed wooden latched door. Pass the pretty windows framing the front garden to find a walk-in dressing room with fitted shelves and hanging space.

 

There are three further generous double bedrooms and a final single, which would make an excellent home office space. The family bathroom is a good size and contains a double-ended panelled bath with Victorian-style taps and shower attachment, a separate tiled shower enclosure, a modern basin vanity unit, a heated towel rail, and a screened low-level toilet.

 

The farmhouse has a detached brick-built, self-contained two-bedroom annexe with a separate boiler running on gas tanks, a wireless internet access point, and wired smoke alarms. The front door opens into a spot-lit living/dining room with a cheerful modern kitchen area with an integrated oven, sink, and fridge.

 

Large front and rear windows illuminate the living room, which connects to two big doubles with exposed brick floors to match. The second bedroom features triple-aspect windows, while beams in the primary bedroom emphasise the vaulted ceiling and the French patio doors opening to the pond. Both doubles are served by a large, contemporary three-piece shower room with a walk-in double shower. The boiler and washing machine are also housed here.

 

With an incredible 14 acres of mature gardens and grounds, terraced seating areas, woodland, and paddocks to explore, there’s ample open space for children to play, animals to roam, and for you to follow any dreams of creating a smallholding or keeping horses.

 

The garden is broadly split into formal south-facing front gardens with York stone paving and flowerbeds and a large lawn area to the north. You’ll also discover two wildlife-rich ponds and a range of mature trees and shrubs for year-round interest, such as wisteria, cherry blossom, tulips, alliums, roses and box hedging, to name a few.

 

Besides the detached annexe and laundry room already mentioned, the grounds house several outbuildings. These include a double-glazed office with separate heating, power supply, and wireless internet; an insulated five-bay stable with a recently replaced roof, currently used as storage, a plant room, and an art studio has power, lighting, and heating to the main units; an old forge/double-height workshop or garage; and a pole barn with five open bays and a tractor shed.