Mill Cottages

Mill Cottages Haconby | Bourne | Lincolnshire | PE10 0XD

MILL COTTAGES • A Remarkable Conversion of Four Period Cottages into a Glorious Country House • Situated in a Semi Rural Location Ideal for Those Looking for Total Privacy • Positioned at the End of a No-Though Drive, Gardens and Grounds Extend to Circa Two Acres (STMS) • Reception Room, Living Room, Dining Room, Family Room, Study and Conservatory • Kitchen / Breakfast Room, Utility Room and a Downstairs Cloakroom • Master Bedroom Wing with a Dressing Room and an En Suite Bathroom • Four Additional Double Bedrooms, One with En Suite, Plus a Family Bathroom • Double Garage, Two Former Stables and a Tack Room Currently Used as Workshop, Garden Stores • Benefiting From Extensive Lawns, Orchard, Vegetable Garden, Wild Flower Meadow, Lavender and Box Beds • Total Accommodation Extends to Approximately 3546 Sq. Ft.

The most charming property sitting in an idyllic, rural location was once a row of four cottages, being sympathetically converted into one large house at the turn of the millennium. Presented in very good order, it lies about four miles north of Bourne in the South Lincolnshire fens, has easy access to the A15 and is just twenty minutes cross country to the A1. Peterborough, Stamford and Grantham are all about a half hour drive away.

The current owners have lived here for the last six years, and although they knew it was really too big for them, they totally fell in love with the place when they came to view it and couldn’t resist buying it. With an interesting history, the earliest record of a post-mill on the site dates to 1709 with the row of four cottages as homes for the mill workers. The mill itself was burnt down in 1867, and a census in 1871 states four families were living in the cottages with a total of twenty-four occupants! In 1887 the end cottage was recorded as being a pub, The Recruiting Sergeant. By the end of the twentieth century it had been completely derelict for thirty years until, in 2000, the cottages were rebuilt into one large house.

Planning stipulations meant all the original bricks should be used which has created a beautiful and authentic historic building but with many benefits of modern living such as double-glazed, timber framed windows, and solar panels on the garage block roof. Features hint at the past: millstones in the garden and a semi-circular wall in the living room which is thought to have been part of the ovens of a bakery.

The property is reached up a private tarmacked drive about a quarter of a mile long, with a farm across the field not far away. A pair of five-bar gates lead you onto a gravel drive that sweeps round in front of the garage and stable block at the side of the house.

Inside, the sense of light is immediately evident. “We painted the ceiling beams white which made an enormous difference and really lightened up the rooms,” says the owner. “We also installed the kitchen and utility room with units.” A painted timber, fitted kitchen with pale composite stone worktops, there is an abundance of cupboard space which incorporates a Neff electric oven, hob, extractor over, and dishwasher. At the dining end, an electric Aga has been a much enjoyed asset. “I’d never had an Aga before and now I don’t think I could live without one!” laughs the owner. The adjoining utility has matching units, another sink, with space for a fridge freezer, a washing machine and dryer.

The pale, ceramic tiled floor gives way to original quarry tiling in the snug next door which has a log-burner in the chimney breast. “There are three log-burning stoves in the property,” states the owner, “and an open fire in the dining room.” With so many reception rooms you are spoilt for choice for a comfy place to sit, in fact the dining room, particularly being close to a downstairs lavatory, might be used as a sixth bedroom should one be required. A great number of glazed doors lead to the outside enhancing the influx of natural light as well as making it a superb property in summer for linking to the garden. There are two very large sitting rooms that stretch front to back, one features an inglenook fireplace, an exposed stone wall to the front and French doors onto the rear; the other also a door onto the garden, and has stairs leading up to the master bedroom suite. At the south-eastern corner of the house a traditional, painted timber conservatory has been added which connects to a study and another downstairs lavatory.

The main staircase rises from the entrance hall and leads to landings that provide access to four bedrooms and the family bathroom. Sloping ceilings give character as it partially occupies the roof space, yet rooms remain exceptionally light and bright. The master bedroom can be reached through bedroom two but, as mentioned before, has its own staircase from a sitting room. Both the master and the second bedroom have en suites, the master has its own dressing room with fitted storage and an en suite with a separate bath and shower, whilst bedroom two has a bath with mixer tap. The family bathroom has a bath and separate shower.

The grounds are sheer delight. “It’s very tranquil here as we are surrounded by fields, but bordered by hedging and lots of trees; it’s a real haven for wildlife,” says the owner. “It’s also totally secure for keeping dogs in and rabbits out!” A lime tree at the front is a prominent feature - “absolutely beautiful all year round” - so too a mature ash tree. A huge area behind the garage block is dedicated to growing vegetables - “a passion of mine” she declares – which has no less than three greenhouses. “There’s also an orchard with apples, pears, plums, greengages, figs, cherries and apricots, and a fully-functioning well with a pump which is ideal for watering the garden or cleaning the cars.”

The outbuilding comprises a double garage with two pairs of double doors, two stables and a tack room. “My husband has made one of the stables into a workshop,” she divulges. “The solar panels on the roof give us an income of about £1,800 a year, and we also have panels on the roof of the house that heat the domestic hot water.” A wildlife pond is tucked away on the other side of the drive where water lilies and bullrushes attract great numbers of dragonflies. The vast area of lawns could be divided up to form a perfect little paddock if someone wanted to keep a pony or horse.

“It’s going to be a huge wrench to leave, but it really is time we downsized!” concludes the owner.

The location of Mill Cottages is excellent. Its quiet, rural aspect and close proximity to local facilities in Bourne, as well as Stamford, make it a perfect spot. It is ideal for schools, state and independent. Bourne, approximately seven minutes’ drive away, has a good co-educational Grammar School, and Witham Hall School is only fifteen minutes’ away. The market town of Stamford with its excellent schools, as well as Copthill, just east of Stamford, are approximately 25 minutes by car whilst the sought-after public school in Oakham as well as Peterborough’s schools, The King’s School and The Peterborough School, are half an hour drive away from the property. The popular Oundle school is 45 minutes’ drive.

The old market town of Bourne is good for shopping with Sainsbury’s, M&S, Tesco and Lidl, many coffee shops and a leisure centre. There is also an arts centre in the Old Town Hall. The historic market town of Stamford is just fifteen miles away with its train station, the famous George hotel and restaurant as well as many other draws. There are good road and rail links, with the A1 nearby, plus connections to London and the North from both Peterborough and Grantham.

To arrange a viewing of this property please contact

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Fine & Country Rutland, Stamford & South Lincolnshire Seaton Grange Barn Offices, Grange Lane, Seaton, Uppingham, Rutland, LE15 9HT Tel: 01780 750 200 www.fineandcountry.com If you have been thinking of selling and getting nowhere fast then the first move you should make is to contact an agent who can deliver outstanding results. Here at Fine & Country we know that our unique approach to selling houses works.

For more information on any of the services Fine & Country can offer, please call 01780 750 200 and speak to Jan von Draczek at our Rutland, Stamford & South Lincolnshire office. Š All rights reserved by Rutland Country Properties Ltd for the World outside the UK. Any unauthorised copying or publishing of either the words or photographs contained in this brochure will constitute an infringement of the copyright.

Additional Information LOCAL AUTHORITY: South Kesteven District Council SERVICES: Mains Electricity and Water, Septic Tank and Oil Fired Central Heating 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 Š 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. Š Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Fine & Country Tel: +44 (0) 1780 750 200 stamford@fineandcountry.com Seaton Grange Barn Offices, Grange Lane, Seaton, Uppingham, Rutland, LE15 9HT