Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire

Black Horse Cottage, Huntingdon Road

Houghton | Huntingdon | Cambridgeshire | PE28 2AU

BLACK HORSE COTTAGE

KEY FEATURES

Located in the centre of the highly regarded village of Houghton, this period home dates from the 15th century and has been sympathetically extended to provide the convenience of modern day living whilst retaining its period charm. On entering the spacious entrance hall you are met with a traditional cottage ambience with exposed beams, tiled floor and a brick-lined fireplace with wood burning stove. The room is large enough to be used as a cosy snug or as a study/office. The entrance hall provides access to the dining room, living room, library and kitchen/breakfast room beyond. The living room, with sash window to the front, exposed beams and a brick-lined open fire with timber bressummer. The dual aspect dining room with a feature open fireplace and a walk-in box bay window with views overlooking the garden. The library/reading nook, between the entrance hall and kitchen breakfast room, has period style shelving and a seat making this a charming and peaceful place to read and enjoy the garden views. The generous size kitchen breakfast room, with part vaulted ceiling, is ideal for families and entertaining and sits alongside the utility room. Within the rear lobby/boot room there is a cloakroom and a large storage cupboard. The spacious hardwood orangery is accessed from the rear lobby. Upstairs, the principal bedroom is dual aspect with exposed timbers to the walls, there is an inset glass display cabinet and a door to the wardrobe. There are two further double bedrooms and all bedrooms are served by the family bathroom with a freestanding bath and separate shower.

The walled garden is very private and is mainly laid to lawn with established borders and a variety of mature planting and trees, iron gates lead to the orchard. Double gates lead onto the drive and the oversized brick built garage.

Superb amenities are all within walking distance of Black Horse Cottage including a convenience store, tea shop, antique shop, pub and the well-regarded village primary school. Nearby Huntingdon has a mainline station providing regular services to London in under an hour while Cambridge is within easy reach via road or public transport.

SELLER INSIGHT

Walking through the front door on our first visit we had an instant connection with Black Horse Cottage,” say the current owners. “It has such a comforting feeling about it. We fell in love instantly! All the rooms have a unique character, but I particularly love the little library sandwiched between the entrance hall and the kitchen. This was one of the reasons I bought the house: so I would have somewhere for all my books!”

Since moving in, the owners have made various enhancements to the property. “The house has been completely redecorated inside and the sash windows have been repainted and rehung in the 4 years we have been here,” they say. “The house has a phenomenal history, being one of the oldest houses in the village. It has had many guises over the years, including at one point being a pub, which was sold at auction. Many of the original features remain which means you feel you are living with history every single day.”

This is the ideal home for everyday family life and entertaining alike. “The size and layout of the house are such that it is comfortable without being too big,” the owners say. “Wonderfully practical, this is a very easy house to live in: we spend more time at the front of the house in the cosy hall or lounge in the winter months, while in summer we gravitate towards the back of the house which opens onto the garden. The kitchen is brilliant at connecting both and serves as a great family hub. Our son has grown up in this house, so we have lots of special memories from our time here in the village: he learned to ride a bike on the car-free paths of the thicket and the meadow, and has had many birthday parties in the garden.”

Indeed, the gardens serve as an extension of the house itself. “The mature garden is truly stunning in the spring and summer months, when it really comes into its own,” the owners say. “We have had many family barbecues on summers’ evenings on the patio. The walled ornamental garden is such a private haven to sit in during warmer weather with its beautiful rose bushes and trees and shrubs, home to many birds. It is very special lying in the hammock and listening to birdsong while village life goes on around you. We have enjoyed the abundance of fruit and vegetables we have grown in the kitchen garden beyond: raspberries, tayberries, rhubarb, strawberries, gooseberries and beetroot and tomatoes to name but a few. Towards the end of the property lies our garage and driveway, beyond which is the wonderful orchard, home to ten apple trees, two pear trees and a plum and a greengage tree, providing a delicious fruit harvest as summer ends.”

The local area has much to offer, too. “This is a brilliant village within which to be based,” the owners say. “We are just across the road from the extremely well-stocked community-run shop and post office as well as the village square with its clock tower that chimes on the hour. In addition, there is a very well regarded primary school as well as pre-school, playing fields, tennis courts and many active sports and other clubs within the village, and the beautiful 13th century church of St Mary’s. There is a great community spirit with events for all ages throughout the year.”

“There are many wonderful country walks right from your doorstep,” the owners continue, “including along the banks of the river Great Ouse, past the National Trust Houghton Mill within the village, across the meadow to the Hemingfords or Godmanchester, or up the tree-lined Thicket Path bridleway, where you can walk or ride the two car-free miles to St Ives. The village is within easy reach of Huntingdon (10 minute drive) and frequent trains to London (50 minutes), as well as the bus stop on the main road outside the village to St Ives and Cambridge.”

“We love this house and its location, both being full of wonderful memories for us as a family, from our son learning to ride a bike along the lanes, to barbecues in the garden and wonderful country walks right from our door.”*

*These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.

Village information

The pretty riverside village of Houghton lies between the market towns of Huntingdon to the east and St Ives to the west. The villages of Houghton and Wyton lie side by side along the bank of the River Great Ouse and combined form the Houghton & Wyton Parish of Huntingdonshire. Much of Houghton and Wyton fall within a Conservation Area with many buildings of architectural interest together with the flood meadows and pretty countryside. Local amenities within the two villages include: three small shops, a community owned general store which houses a post office, a village hall, two pubs and a primary school in Houghton. The village hall hosts a range of activities from baby and toddler groups, Pilates, karate and dancing and is also available for private hire. Nearby Wyton and Hartford marinas provide a range of leisure facilities. There are more comprehensive shopping and leisure facilities in nearby Huntingdon and St Ives including most major supermarkets. Cambridge is about 20 miles away and offers a wide range of cultural, leisure and shopping facilities together with its well renowned University colleges.

Transport

There is good road access north and south via the A1 and east and west by the A14. The new guided bus service now provides direct access into Cambridge. Nearby Huntingdon has a mainline train station providing fast services into London in approx. 50 minutes and to the North via Peterborough.

Schools

There is a playgroup and primary school in Houghton and it is in the catchment area for St Peter’s secondary school in Huntingdon. Other nearby primary schools include: Wyton on the Hill Community Primary School, Thorndown Primary School in St Ives and Hemingford Grey Primary School. Other nearby secondary schools include: St Ivo School in St Ives and Hinchingbrooke School in Huntingdon. There is also a wide range of well-regarded independent schools for all age groups in Cambridge.

INFORMATION

• Sought After Village

• Period Home With Character Features

• Walled Garden & Orchard

• Two Reception Rooms & Conservatory

• Kitchen Breakfast Room

• Parking & Garage

Agents Notes

Tenure: Freehold

Year Built: From 15th Century in part – Grade II Listed

EPC: Exempt

Local Authority: Hutingdonshire District Council

Council Tax Band: E

To conform with government Money Laundering Regulation 2017, we are required to confirm the identity of all prospective buyers. We use the services of a third party, Lifetime Legal, who will contact you directly at an agreed time to do this. They will need the full name, date of birth and current address of all buyers. There is a nominal charge of £60 including VAT for this (for the transaction not per person), payable directly to Lifetime Legal. Please note, we are unable to issue a memorandum of sale until the checks are complete.

We may refer you to recommended providers of ancillary services such as Conveyancing, Financial Services, Insurance and Surveying. We may receive a commission payment fee or other benefit (known as a referral fee) for recommending their services. You are not under any obligation to use the services of the recommended provider. The ancillary service provider may be an associated company of Fine & Country or Thomas Morris Sales & Lettings.

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Printed 09.03.2023

FINE & COUNTRY

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