Rugby, Warwickshire

Little Bridge

Fitzjohns | Barby Road | Rugby | Warwickshire | CV22 5QB

LITTLE BRIDGE

A wonderful opportunity to acquire a fine, unlisted Victorian country home awash with period features and set in 1.21 acres of glorious gardens.

KEY FEATURES

Little bridge is situated on the Fitzjohns development within a few minutes’ walk from the Rugby School Conservation Area in an idyllic rural location, yet minutes away from Rugby town centre and Rugby station which will ensure you get to London Euston within an hour. Fitzjohns was a wonderful period home constructed in 1894 that was subsequently split into four separate dwellings in 1996. It was originally built as a country retreat for Sir Spencer Pocklington Maryon Maryon-Wilson, a very wealthy Baronet. It was built to the very highest of standards by renowned builders, J. Parnell and Son of Rugby. Remarkably, it is unlisted but is a fine example of a late Victorian country house in the English domestic revival/Arts and Crafts style, retaining almost all its original architectural detailing and a wealth of internal original features.

Little Bridge occupies the larger of the four plots with 1.21 acres formal lawn, dotted with specimen trees and a southerly facing aspect. The house itself offers four double bedrooms, a family bathroom an en-suite to the principal bedroom, whilst the ground floor has a large dining hall, a study, cloakroom, utility room, a breakfast/kitchen with fitted Harvey Jones units and a spectacular drawing room with bay windows, like the principal bedroom, providing beautiful views of the gardens. The property has a wealth of period features including deep sectional skirting boards, high ceilings with intricately detailed cornicing, providing plenty of historical interest to the discerning buyer.

The impressive and large dining hall has a wonderful stone open fireplace, a hardwood floor and large double glaze doors that overlook the forecourt. The dining hall has some intricate cornicing and a picture rail. There are doors from here that provide access to the drawing room and inner hall. The Drawing room has stunning views of the garden via secondary glazed conservation bay window The room is particularly attractive with its intricate cornicing, panelling and stunning period fireplace. Little Bridge has an inner hallway and staircase rising to the first floor, there is access to the study which could be used as an optional fifth bedroom, there is an access point to the rear courtyard. Just past the utility room and ground floor cloakroom is the kitchen/breakfast room, with its bespoke kitchen, filled with natural light from the vaulted ceiling windows and a superb view across the fields, a large former gun cabinet acts as a perfect pantry, whilst the log burner offers plenty of comfort in the winter months. The first floor has a large landing with access to a significant loft space and two attractive windows providing views of the garden and the fields neighbouring Fitzjohns, whilst access is provided to the four wellproportioned bedrooms, each providing impressive views of the gardens and fields beyond. Like the rest of the house, the first floor has plenty of period features with high ceilings, deep sectional skirting boards and cornicing. There is a well-equipped family bathroom with a circular picture window and a four-piece bathroom suite with corner shower cubicle, bath, wash basin, low-level WC. The principal bedroom has stunning views of the gardens and the southerly aspect, an original fireplace and access to an en-suite shower room.

SELLER INSIGHT

It was the location of the property which first drew us to Little Bridge at Fitzjohns,” say the current owners, “hidden away in beautiful gardens, yet close to the centre of Rugby. We fell in love with the house itself as soon as we walked through the front door, for its calm and gracious living spaces, unique layout, and original period features including exquisite coving in most rooms. We were impressed by the quality of the fixtures and fittings throughout, and were simply blown away by the fabulous views from the sitting room and master bedroom. To this day, the bay window in the sitting room is my favourite spot in which to enjoy the morning sun and look out at the garden.”

Since moving in, the owners have made various improvements to the property. “We have had the house partially re-roofed, and selected windows double glazed,” they say, “as well as laying wood flooring to the hall and two reception rooms, boarding the loft, and installing a wood burning stove. Outside, the garden has been landscaped with a Victorianstyle wooden greenhouse, summer house with insulation and double glazing, and a new shed.”

Indeed, the beautiful garden serves as an extension of the house itself during the warmer months of the year. “Facing southeast, the terrace is sunny from first thing in the morning,” the owners say. “The house is set within approximately one acre of mature gardens, with majestic trees and fabulous spring bulbs – snowdrops, crocuses, daffodils and bluebells – to signal the end of winter with a riot of colour. We’ll miss the mature magnolia, just outside our front-door, and greeting every visitor. The pond has enhanced wildlife. We’ve had annual garden parties, with up to 50 guests and a marquee on a lawn that’s seen much football and cricket.”

The local area has much to recommend it, too. “We are within walking distance of the town centre, including Rugby School, amongst others,” the owners say. “Access is easy to Rugby station, with St Cross Hospital and a large Sainsbury’s supermarket also a short distance away. For picturesque walks, Jubilee Wood, Great Central Walk and The Oxford Canal are among our favourites.”

“We’ve been very happy here for over twenty years. It’s been a fantastic family home.”*

* 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.

Outside

The plot totals 1.21 acres with the majority of the plot enjoying a southerly aspect and views over adjacent Rugby School owned land. Little Bridge is accessed via the northern entrance and owns the driveway that meanders past the neighbouring home, there is plenty of parking on the pea gravel driveway and an expanse of lawn to the front, with a signature ‘little bridge’ just off the drive. The gardens are sheltered by a variety of mature trees and well-tended hedges that provide plenty of privacy. There is a timber shed in one of the sheltered areas and fantastic summer house at the southern end of the plot that provides the perfect summer entertaining space. At the rear of the house is a large courtyard (a smaller portion is owned by the neighbour) that provides a useful shady retreat in the hotter months and offers super views across the neighbouring fields.

LOCATION

Rugby offers an extensive range of shopping facilities within its town centre and the popular retail park to the north. Rugby also has a main line train station where high speed trains provide access to Euston in well under 50 minutes. From Rugby there is easy access to the extensive motorway networks surrounding Warwickshire including the A5, A14, M1 and the M6. There is also an impressive range of state and public schooling available in Rugby and the surrounding area including Bilton Grange, Lawrence Sheriff, Rugby High School, Princethorpe College, Bloxham School, King Henrys in Coventry and the world-renowned Rugby School.

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Head Office Address 1 Regent Street Rugby CV21 2PE

copyright © 2023 Fine & Country Ltd.

INFORMATION

Services

Gas central heating, mains water, electricity, drainage and broadband are connected

Local Authority Rugby Borough Council Council tax band ‘G’.

Viewing Arrangements

Strictly via the vendors sole agents Sam Funnell 07714 515484 and Claire Heritage 07894 561313, Fine and Country Rugby.

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 24.04.2023

FINE & COUNTRY

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.

Claire has worked in the property industry for over 18 years, during which time she has mastered the ever changing marketing techniques that have evolved numerous times during her working life. In particular, Claire is a marketing manager and social media expert which puts her in the perfect position to elevate the status of your home and create a successful and bespoke marketing strategy tailored to your needs. She has received many awards and testimonies from her contemporaries and clients alike. Claire is consistently dedicated to her role and is the consummate professional, always going out of her way to help others at any given time. With her warm personality and outstanding customer service, Claire’s sole aim is to ensure that our clients; journey is as smooth and as stress free as possible. Claire works closely with her partner Sam (Fine & Country Branch Partner) and lives in Rugby with her two children.

Sam heads up the team in Rugby and has worked in a Managerial capacity in the local area with other agents for over 20 years. Sam combines his wealth of local knowledge, with an enthusiasm for marketing, service and results. He is more than happy to provide a bespoke, tailored plan to aid any seller’s move using Fine & Country’s incredible marketing tools. The office constantly receives repeat business and excellent reviews, a true testament to the quality of service that Sam and the team consistently deliver.

The production of these particulars has generated a £10 donation to the Fine & Country Foundation, charity no. 1160989, striving to relieve homelessness.

Fine & Country Rugby

5 Regent Street, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2PE

01788 820062 | rugby@fineandcountry.com