Old Queen Farm Cocks Head Lane | Snelston | Ashbourne | Derbyshire | DE6 2DP
OLD QUEEN FARM
Old Queen Farm is an enchanting example of a Grade II Georgian property and a truly handsome country home. Tastefully appointed, complete with distinctive architecture and an interior defined with exquisite period detailing throughout. This home stands handsomely in approximately four acres of flat land, enviably located in the sought-after Derbyshire village of Snelston, four miles from the market town of Ashbourne in the heart of breathtaking Derbyshire countryside. Featuring three reception rooms, a large living kitchen with walk-in larder, large utility room, office, and detached double garage. The property also has four bedrooms (one en-suite), a dressing room, and large family bathroom. Externally there are further barns, a summer house, and beautiful gardens and this property comes complete with a one-bedroom self-contained cottage.
The history of Old Queen Farm is vast and truly impressive. The Farmhouse is thought to have connections to Queen Adelaide, consort to William 4th, and consists of the main block of two storeys and latterly a converted attic, containing beautifully proportioned rooms. Approached by a quiet country road on the edge of the pretty Derbyshire village of Snelston, the original residence is believed to date back to the late 18th century, with some 20th century additions and alterations. It is clearly evident why this building is such an important example of a Derbyshire farmhouse of its period. The current owners have transformed it into a beautiful and timeless family home, perfect for modern living whilst still retaining its period farmhouse features. The main property is constructed from red brick with rendered gable walls and painted brick dressings with stone sills. The property has a shallow pitched plain roof with brick gable end chimney stacks, typical of the era, with decorative detail to the eaves. The three bays add to the grandeur of this property with its rows of casement windows under brick arched segment heads which boast a unique and atmospheric feel throughout. Despite this home being of such historic importance, the lifestyle opportunity it creates as a family home is enviable. The house itself flows from room to room with an abundance of character throughout. There is a collection of reception areas providing versatility, perfect for casual and formal gatherings alike, and the central staircase gives access to four bedrooms. The beauty of this home is enhanced by its incomparable setting; spectacular far-reaching views over open countryside, increasingly breathtaking as the accommodation extends to its upper floors. Outside, gardens and lawns wrap around the property on three sides, with an abundance of space to entertain and to simply enjoy the surrounding landscape. The entire four acres surrounding the home are flat, beautifully maintained, and currently utilised by the vendors as their garden space. Independent to the farmhouse is Barleycote Cottage. Originally a barn, this building’s charm has been sympathetically preserved. Renovations have provided a one bedroom cottage, perfect as ancillary accommodation to the main house or indeed the perfect place for family, friends and perhaps guests to visit and explore the countryside and enjoy all the local villages have to offer. This would appeal to owners and investors alike (subject to necessary planning). The home is set in a fabulous location for commuting with easy access to the neighbouring towns of Ashbourne and Uttoxeter, the City of Derby, and the A50 leading to the M1 and M6 motorways. The nearby train station in Derby provides a regular and direct route to London St Pancras or Manchester, Sheffield. This really is an exciting opportunity to acquire such a charming period home in one of the most enviable and sought after locations in Derbyshire overlooking the stunning countryside. Rarely do we see a setting so picturesque; this plot enjoys far-reaching panoramic views and offers the chance of secluded rural living, yet close to all amenities the local towns pose.
GROUND FLOOR The front door to the property is panelled in appearance, centrally placed and in keeping with the era, and is lodged within a brick gabled porch. The current owners utilise the more practical rear entrance day to day which is accessed from the driveway courtyard opposite the double garages. This opens into a rear hallway complete with a fully tiled floor and recessed lighting. This spacious and airy entrance gives access to the kitchen, sitting room / inner hall, and a modern guest cloakroom with WC. A door to the right leads into the bespoke kitchen. Here the current owners have cleverly created a stylish contemporary feel in an old setting which includes making a lovely feature of an indoor well, prominent within the tiled floor and fitted with a glass cover. The shaker style units are beautifully crafted and cleverly moulded around the existing period structure and includes an abundance of storage. A large oil fired Aga and electric 2 oven Aga hob are positioned within a brick alcove. There are marble worktops, integrated appliances, and more than ample space for a large farmhouse table and chairs. A real treat is access to a walk-in larder, perfect for the enthusiastic cook. All perfect for modern day living. The kitchen gives access to a further smaller porch where there is an additional door to the outside. This is perfect for wet and muddy days as this porch leads directly into a spacious utility / laundry room - large enough for storing outdoor clothing. Beyond the utility is a further room which the current owners utilise as a useful home office. The fully beamed ground floor rooms flow seamlessly with no shortage of reception space. The rear porch opens into a characterful sitting room, a versatile area that could be used for a variety of purposes and includes a contemporary fireplace and oak flooring. The current owners use this as an inner hallway as it provides access to both the lounge and dining room. The lounge, a more recent addition to the main property, is entered through glass panelled double doors. This is an inviting room, incredibly light and open with the addition of a set of French doors to the outside patio. This room is perfect for entertaining large gatherings but cosy enough to sit by the calor gas wood burner- style fire on cooler days. The fireplace is the focal point of the room with a characterful red brick surround and a backdrop of fine oak panelling. A farmhouse door gives access to the dining room via a smaller front hall. The dining room can also be entered directly from the kitchen. Here there is plenty of space to eat and relax and take in the abundance of period features. The focal point being the welcoming brick fireplace with an early cast iron open fire grate. Again, original features give a sense of atmosphere, while the spaciousness and flexibility of the accommodation make this the ideal home for everyday life and entertaining alike.
SELLER INSIGHT Situated in the glorious Derbyshire countryside, just four miles from the market town of Ashbourne is Old Queen Farm, a beautiful family home that boasts just under four acres of stunning garden and grounds. “We’ve owned the property for forty-four years now and we’ve absolutely loved living here,” says the owner. “It’s a real slice of paradise and we’re going to be so sad when the time comes to leave.” “We believe the house originally dates back to the late 18th century, and it’s hugely characterful, but it’s fair to say that it was in a bit of a sorry state when we bought it. We could see that it had lots of potential to be transformed into a wonderful family home, but it was the outside space that really captured our imaginations. We’re both very keen gardeners and we’d been looking for a larger property where we could develop our dream garden, and this place fitted the bill perfectly. The land was originally just a chunk of field, a real blank canvass, but over time we’ve bought around three acres more, within which we’ve cultivated a beautiful formal garden that’s peppered with trees – most of which we’ve planted. We also have a stunning kitchen garden in which we grow all our fruit, veg, and cut flowers so we’re very self-sufficient, and out in the field we were able to keep sheep and our orchard was home to a number of chickens. It’s a place where we’ve definitely been able to live the good life, and for our children, it was a magical place to grow up.” “The house had been ‘modernised’ by a previous owner so all of the lovely period features had been covered up. We set about restoring it to its former glory, while also making it into a very warm and comfortable family home. It’s been extended, all of the lovely period features have been exposed, and we’ve slightly altered the layout to make it more conducive to modern living. We also converted an old barn into a one-bedroom bungalow so that my mother could come and live with us, so it’s a fantastic multi-generational property. It’s a beautiful home, ready for the new owners to simply move in and enjoy, but there’s also lots of potential for them to put their own stamp on the place, both inside and out, should they wish to.” “In the wintertime, we tend to gravitate to the living/dining room with its huge fireplace, but when the sun is shining, more often than not you’ll find us either in the garden or the summerhouse. We have seating and a table inside, and outside there’s a lovely patio area with outdoor furniture. It’s a lovely place to sit and relax, and superb for alfresco entertaining.” “This really is a place where we’ve been able to enjoy the best of both worlds. At home we enjoy peace and privacy and stunning views, however, we’re only a ten-minute drive from the lovely market town of Ashbourne and around six minutes from the M&S food hall!” “Within the property, we have various outbuildings, including a large barn-style shed that we had built to house our camper van. It has sixteen solar panels on the roof, which keep our electricity bills down quite considerably.” “This has been the most wonderful family home, but it’s the garden that I think we’re both going to miss the most; it’s stunning,” says the owner. “The fact that we made it from nothing is quite incredible; it’s been a real labour of love and I hope the new owners will nurture it and enjoy it as much as we have.”* * 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.
FIRST FLOOR The period features continue throughout the first floor where the views of the countryside are maximised to the full. This floor gives access to the principal bedroom complete with a modern ensuite shower room and a dressing room, one further bedroom, and a spacious family bathroom.
SECOND FLOOR The staircase rises to the second floor landing which boasts a further double bedroom and a single bedroom with wonderful views over the garden.
BARLEYCOTE COTTAGE The current owners seized the opportunity to develop the old barn attached to the property via a further barn. This is now a single story one bedroom cottage and a beneficial addition to the main home.
OUTSIDE The property is positioned to the rear of the main home and is secluded and incredibly private due to its front walled garden. The converted barn offers flexible accommodation on one level. A wooden farmhouse front door covers a further glass panelled door allowing the occupier to enjoy the outside and its gardens whatever the weather. Upon entering we are greeted by a delightful modern farmhouse kitchen, fully fitted with integrated appliances, tiled floors, and ample space for a breakfast table and chairs. The rear of the kitchen leads into a long hallway which gives access to a double bedroom complete with dressing area and a large bathroom to the left. To the right of the hallway is a spectacular sitting room with pitched roof and exposed beams giving a lovely feeling of space. This room boasts a prominent brick fireplace with an exposed brick chimney stack rising to the eaves giving the room great grandeur.
LOCAL AREA The parish of Snelston lies four miles South West of the market town of Ashbourne and thirteen miles from the cathedral city of Derby. The attractive parish is located in the Derbyshire Dales District and is in the lower Dove Valley on the Derbyshire Staffordshire border. Snelston is an historic Derbyshire village, many homes feature Flemish brickwork with Tudor chimney stacks, and lacy-style windows set in deep stone mullions. A small pretty brook, which joins the river Dove, flows through the centre of the village. Old Queen Farm is on the edge of the village, peaceful and private yet benefits from the many local amenities the nearby market towns of Ashbourne and Uttoxeter have to offer. There is no shortage of places to eat locally too with well-known gastro pubs and Callow Hall Country House Hotel not far away. There is an array of highly regarded local schools within easy commute, both village schools and larger well reputed secondary schools. There are also notable independent establishments just a short drive away. The recreational activities surrounding the area are vast ranging from sporting activities at the nearby Carsington Water Reservoir to cycling on the Tissington Trail as well as walking the many countryside routes in places such as Dovedale and Thorpe Cloud. The area is a magnet for hikers owing to the stunning local landscape of the nearby Peak District National Park where the places to visit are endless. The property is only a few miles from the popular ‘Alton Towers’ where younger residents or visitors to the area may want to spend some time. The transport links here are excellent with Derby being just over 13 miles away where there are regular trains direct to London St Pancras. Ashbourne is close to neighbouring towns such as Matlock, Buxton, and the historic market town of Bakewell. For greater connectivity, the A50 is only a few miles to the south giving access to the M1 and M6 motorways.
INFORMATION Services The property has oil fired central heating, mains water, and electricity, calor gas connection, septic tank Broadband Connectivity – fibre Tenure Freehold Local Authority Derbyshire Dales District Council Viewing Arrangements Strictly via the vendors sole agents Fine & Country on 01332 973 888 Website For more information visit www.fineandcountry.com/uk/derbyshire
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EPC Exempt 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 04.05.2022
FINE & COUNTRY
PIP HOLDEN PARTNER AGENT
Fine & Country is a global network of estate agencies specialising in the marketing, sale and rental of luxury residential property. With offices in over 300 locations, spanning Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia, we combine widespread exposure of the international marketplace with the local expertise and knowledge of carefully selected independent property professionals. Fine & Country appreciates the most exclusive properties require a more compelling, sophisticated and intelligent presentation – leading to a common, yet uniquely exercised and successful strategy emphasising the lifestyle qualities of the property. This unique approach to luxury homes marketing delivers high quality, intelligent and creative concepts for property promotion combined with the latest technology and marketing techniques. We understand moving home is one of the most important decisions you make; your home is both a financial and emotional investment. With Fine & Country you benefit from the local knowledge, experience, expertise and contacts of a well trained, educated and courteous team of professionals, working to make the sale or purchase of your property as stress free as possible.
THE FINE & COUNTRY FOUNDATION
Fine & Country Derbyshire 07970 926 418 email: pip.holden@fineandcountry.com Pip is a great communicator and prides herself on keeping in touch with both buyers and sellers alike. She loves to help buyers find the property of their dreams and can offer expert advice on premium locations across Derbyshire having lived across the County over the last 40 years.
ARMA KANG PARTNER AGENT
Fine & Country Derbyshire 07852 877 164 email: arma.kang@fineandcountry.com Throughout his 20-year career within the property industry to date, Arma brings all the qualities you need for a successful home move. Arma specialises in high exposure technologies and regularly attends national training sessions to showcase new marketing technologies so he is at the forefront of cuttingedge technology when it comes to finding the right buyer. A strong believer in the power of positivity, Arma is dedicated to working with you on a consultative level from start to finish to achieve the results that you require.
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Fine & Country Derbyshire The Old Post Office, Victoria Street, Derby, Derbyshire DE1 1EQ 07970 926 418 | 07852 877 164 | pip.holden@fineandcountry.com | arma.kang@fineandcountry.com