Martinsthorpe House

Martinsthorpe House

Martinsthorpe | Oakham | Rutland | LE15

KEY FEATURES

• Possibly One of Rutland’s most Evocative Settings, Located on a Ridge That Separates The Gwash and Chater Valleys

• Accessed via The Gunthorpe Estate, Through Electric Gate, With Rights of Access to Martinsthorpe House

• Historically Stable Block of Martinsthorpe Hall Estate, Built in Circa 1622 by the Earls of Denbighs Demolished 1755.

• The Property is Grade II Listed and Located in an Area Scheduled Under Ancient Monuments and Archaeological

Area Act 1979

• Located Between Oakham (3 Miles) and Uppingham (5 Miles), Both Include a Mile Track to the Main Road

• First Floor: Open Plan Kitchen / Diner / Family Room Plus Two Bedrooms and a Family Bathroom

• Ground Floor: Hallway, Sitting Room, Two Bedrooms, Two Bathrooms, a Dressing Room and a Utility Room

• Approximately Three Quarters of an Acre of Grounds Including Mainly Lawn Garden and Ample Gravel Parking Area

• Total Accommodation Extends to Approximately 3149 Sq.Ft.

Rarely on the open market, this beautiful, Grade II listed, 17th century stone property stands totally alone on a ridge surrounded by a heavenly rolling landscape of pasture and a patchwork of arable fields with distant views of Rutland Water. 3 miles south of Oakham and 5 miles north of Uppingham, this historic area has a Bronze Age walk running along the top of the limestone escarpment and the property is on the site of a medieval village. Martinsthorpe recently went from being one of eight parishes in England with no residents to having two, the owners of Martinsthorpe House.

Built in around 1622, Martinsthorpe House is the sole survivor of the village by the same name, and reputed to have been converted from the stables of a former mansion, Martinsthorpe Hall owned by the Earls of Denbigh. The village was deserted in 1589, and the Hall demolished in 1775. Much of the village remains as earthworks which represent house platforms, hollow ways, village closes and a pond. Not far from the existing house, the ruins of the Hall is seen today as a substantial irregular mound beside which is the site of a chapel known to have existed in 1589 and was used for worship until the 20th century. As the hidden village is also listed and under protected status, it is unlikely there will be any future development around the property. Plans of the archaeological remains of the buried village can be seen clearly on Historic England’s listings of both the house and the village.

Martinsthorpe House, now a well presented property, was totally renovated in the last several years, a huge, lengthy project rescuing the building from almost dereliction, closely overseen by local planning officers. At the same time, a new extension was created on the west end, so sympathetically carried out that it is virtually indistinguishable from the original house. The interior of the building is a masterful blend of old character combined with a contemporary vibe, more New York industrial loft apartment, yet retains a cosiness and wonderful sense of the past.

probably far more so.The weighty, Collyweston stone-tiled roof has been renewed and strengthened by supporting metal ties, whilst metal-framed, double-glazed windows have been inserted into the stone mullioned openings, the building’s thick walls keeping the property cool in summer and warm in winter. Central heating is run on LPG, its tank submerged underground outside, serving radiators throughout, and a contemporary log-burner is inset into the upstairs living area wall to provide a cheery, focal point.

Topsy turvy living is also a feature with the principal living areas occupying the first floor, its undulations echoing the landscape outside, all below time-worn, structural roof timbers in the vaulted ceilings, but the building is as sturdy and sound as the day it was originally constructed, in fact,

Rooms are generous in size and bathrooms are plentiful. Two double bedrooms on the ground floor, each adjoining sizeable bathrooms and one with a dressing room, flank a central sitting room with a magnificent inglenook fireplace containing a working open fire; two more double bedrooms that share a bathroom, are reached up a staircase at the west end.Another staircase leads to the kitchen area at the

east end where “views whilst washing up stretch across the fields to Rutland Water,” says the owner. The kitchen is fitted with an abundance of base units and worktops with an electric hob and eye-level ovens, and links seamlesslysave the change from a striking chequerboard floor - with the living area where there is enough space for informal and formal dining, and comfortable seating around the fire. Two large dormer windows providing fabulous views and an almost floor-level window (such is the quirkiness of the property) face south and, combined with a further two on the north side, fill the space with natural light.

Downstairs, the extension accommodates a dramatically large, well-appointed utility room that contains the boiler room and another WC, and lots of built-in cupboards. From the outside, timber garage doors deceptively disguise the use of the space within.

The property is approached along about a mile drive that runs through fields from the A6003 and the village of Manton to the east; upon arrival at the house enclosed by parkland style railings, you cross over a cattle grid – sheep are your only neighbours –and onto a gravelled parking area. A row of mature trees stand on one side and the ‘garden’ is simply grass, and somewhere for watching wildlife: “Just the other day we were watching an osprey nesting, down below,” mentions the owner. “We are situated between two meandering rivers, the Gwash at the end of the drivewhich feeds Rutland Water, and the Chater. Rutland Water Golf Club is a favourite place to go, the other side of Manton, our nearest village which has a pub, the Horse and Jockey. You can walk there. You can also walk to Rutland Water in about half an hour; it’s only 10 minutes by car. It’s about 8 to 10 minutes into the middle of Oakham, and 10 to 15 to the train station, so everything is very convenient.”

was founded in 1584 by Robert Johnson, the Archdeacon of Leicester, who also established Oakham School. It is considered one of Britain’s best schools for music as well as housing one of the largest private theatres in the country. There are also two state primary schools and 2 nurseries, and Uppingham Community College on the outskirts of town.

Oakham, the county town of Rutland, is a charming, pretty, bustling market town providing a wide range of shops and services, with excellent schools, state and private, and a station with fast services to central London taking around an hour.

The town has a range of speciality shops and traditional retailers, many of which are still family owned and run, such as Baines Bakery recently celebrating 150 years. There are 2 butchers, 2 delicatessens, a Co-op supermarket, a post office, a Boots, antique shops, gift shops and a good number of restaurants and cafes including The Falcon Hotel, The Lake Isle and the newly opened No.23. Naturally there is a medical practice, several dentists, a vets practice, and a wide variety of sports clubs and facilities. Art and culture is very important to Uppingham with its own theatre and no less than 6 art galleries, the best known is, arguably, the Goldmark Gallery.

Uppingham, which is only 15 minutes’ drive away, is a bustling town full of atmosphere and steeped in history with honeyed stone buildings and a host of excellent shops. Uppingham School

Nearby Rutland Water has a nature reserve with visitor centre as well as offering a great number of outdoor pursuits, everything from walking and cycling to fishing and water sports. The A1 Great North Road and the glorious Georgian town of Stamford is around a 20 minute drive from the

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.

Rutland Country Properties. Registered in England and Wales No. 11897195

Registered Office - 27-29 Old Market, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE13 1NE

Copyright © 2023 Fine & Country Ltd.

LOCAL AUTHORITY: Rutland County Council

SERVICES:

Mains Electricity, Water, Septic Tank and LPG Gas

Central Heating

Council Tax Band: E

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.

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