Steels Cottage

Steels Cottage 40 Church Street | Langham | Oakham | Rutland | LE15 7JE

STEELS COTTAGE

KEY FEATURES • A Highly Attractive Whitewashed Period Property • Stylishly Refurbished By the Current Owner • Desirable Rutland Location, Close to Rutland Water • Dining Hall, Reception Room and Sitting Room • Kitchen/Diner, Utility Room, Boot Room, Pantry and WC • Three / Four Bedrooms, an En Suite and a Family Bathroom • A Private, Large, Flagstone Terrace Behind Main House • Double Garage and Garden, Potential Building Plot (STP) • Total Accommodation Extends to 1893 Sq.Ft.

In the Rutland village of Langham, about two miles northeast of Oakham and four from Rutland Water, a quaint cottage full of character has been completely renovated and refurbished to retain its old charm yet suit convenient modern living. At the back, an elevated and enclosed suntrap of a garden has been created, whilst on the opposite side of the quiet country road on which it stands, a large double garage occupies another verdant spot.

The attractive white cottage, a row of box balls standing sentry along its symmetric façade, three dormers directly above the windows below, was originally a two-up two-down, with some parts thought to be about 350 years old. “When I came here nearly fifteen years ago the place was very different, and in need of a lot of work,” says the owner. “From the kitchen you had to go through three doors and a gate to get outside! So I have rejigged the layout a bit and renovated throughout. I was very lucky to be able to salvage some oak floorboards from old railway carriages in London – I was in the right place at the right time – and had carpenters camping in the house whilst they laid them in most of the rooms. I feel it gives the house a pleasing cohesion.” And it certainly does.

Other works included fitting the roof lantern above the landing and a pair of tall windows at the end, now shedding a vast amount of natural light into what had been a dark, dead-end corner. All the windows have been replaced with more practical and draught proof double-glazed ones in a grey finish externally, with timber doors painted to match. The predominantly white scheme inside enhances the sense of light and space of which there is plenty; rooms are very generous with the three bedrooms all doubles, and the master’s dressing room positively capacious. So too the downstairs lavatory and the bathrooms upstairs which retain fitted cast iron baths (the family bathroom benefits a wall-mounted shower over the bath), and the dual aspect en suite features a lovely, four-legged washbasin. A wall of built-in wardrobes is in the dressing room with more in the big back bedroom.

Downstairs, three sizeable reception rooms are at the south-facing front. Old plaster ceilings, some with exposed timber beams, are combined with modern inset downlights – a nice blend of the old and new – and two handsome period fireplaces take centre stage in the sitting rooms. “The simple stone one I suspect is original to the property,” remarks the owner. This houses, on a granite hearth, a plain lookalike log-burner which is in fact gas – “with a remote, so controlled by simply pressing a button!” The other elegant marble fireplace in the long sitting room contains an open fire.

The house is full of interesting features. Fortunately not a listed property, very pretty, glazed doors with decorative panes (came from a French chateau) connect between the rooms downstairs, and the staircase which rises from the dining hall, has a contemporary glazed balustrade “to stop my young grandchildren shinnying up the stairs!”

The kitchen breakfast room is, again, a satisfying mix of the traditional with a slightly industrial twist; contemporary units, with plinth lighting, are installed beside a black, gas-fuelled Aga (the property is on mains gas) whilst a Miele eye-level combi microwave oven with second oven below is to one side, and a Bora induction hob with built-in downdraft extractor sits under a trio of windows with corresponding modern pendants above. “The windows are fitted with automatic venetian blinds in between the two panes of glass, which is very nifty and means no sticky slats!” informs the owner. Everything has been carefully considered for an easy life; even the sink features a Quooker tap. A second sink with further storage units, some fitted with bespoke Tambour shutter blinds, is in the adjoining utility where there is space for a washing machine, and a door opens into a boot room that leads to the rear garden.

The garden, despite being to the north of the house, is a real suntrap. “As the garden is elevated, it captures the sun virtually all day long.

One corner has full sun from eight in the morning until six at night. And the whole area is lovely and hot especially with the surrounding sheltering walls,” she attests. A considerable amount of excavation had to be carried out to create this verdant sanctuary which is now a peaceful, paved haven cocooned with greenery for enjoying the outdoors in complete privacy.

On the other side of the quiet little lane – “passing traffic consists mostly of horses and dog-walkers” – a large double garage sits on a decent sized plot enclosed by fencing. There may be potential, subject to planning, if desired, to develop this area, in which case an off-street parking space could be formed by a little more landscaping at the side of the house. It may be noted that the house includes a huge bolted-in safe and has an alarm system.

Langham is a popular village in a very desirable location. As well as the late 13th century Church of Saints Peter & Paul, within easy walking distance, amenities include Langham C of E Primary School which is rated Good by Ofsted, two pubs both serving food and highly-rated on Trip Advisor, and a village hall. It lies on the road linking Melton Mowbray with Oakham, the latter just two miles away and with its own train station, and the A1 is less than a 15-minute drive. Stamford is 13 miles away, Leicester 20 and Nottingham 30 miles.

LOCATION

LOCAL AUTHORITY: Rutland County Council SERVICES: Mains Electricity, Water, Drainage, Gas Central Heating TENURE: Freehold

DISCLAIMER:

These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set out as a general outline only for guidance and do not constitute any part of an offer or contract. Intending purchasers should not rely on them as statements of representation of fact, but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to their accuracy. No person in the employment of Fine & Country or Rutland Country Properties has the authority to make or give any representation or warranty in respect of the property.

We would also point out that we have not tested any of the appliances and purchasers should make their own enquiries to the relevant authorities regarding the connection of any services.

Rutland Country Properties. Registered in England and Wales No. 11897195 Registered Office - 27-29 Old Market, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE13 1NE Copyright © 2020 Fine & Country Ltd.

Agents notes: The floor plans are for illustration purposes only. All measurements: walls, doors, window fittings and appliances and their sizes and locations are shown conventionally and are approximate only and cannot be regarded as being a representation either by the seller or his agent. © Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

FINE & COUNTRY Fine & Country is a global network of estate agencies specialising in the marketing, sale and rental

JAN VON DRACZEK DIRECTOR

Fine & Country Rutland, Stamford & South Lincolnshire 01780 750 200 | 07710 147755 email: j.vondraczek@fineandcountry.com

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

Jan has been in the property industry for over 30 years, having worked in high end sales in central London and country house sales in the East of England which means he brings a wealth of property experience and knowledge to Fine & Country . His enthusiasm and dedication to produce a successful outcome for his clients shines through and his willingness to help around the clock only proves his work ethic. Some of Jan’s keys strengths are his work ethic, innovative thinking and enthusiasm.

MOLLY THOMAS

concepts for property promotion combined with the latest technology and marketing techniques.

APPRENTICE

We understand moving home is one of the most important decisions you make; your home

Fine & Country Rutland, Stamford & South Lincolnshire 01780 750 200 email: m.thomas@fineandcountry.com

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.

Molly has started a career with Fine & Country a year ago, after achieving excellent results in her Art, Maths and History A-levels. She is now studying to be a qualified Junior Estate Agent and is learning the trade with the experienced team at the Rutland & Stamford branch. Molly prides herself in providing the highest level of customer care and listening to clients in order to understand their individual needs.

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