The Old Vicarage

The Old Vicarage 323 Broadgate | Sutton St. Edmund | Lincolnshire | PE12 0LR

THE OLD VICARAGE • A Georgian Former Vicarage with Victorian Extension • Three Reception Rooms, Four Bedrooms & Two Bathrooms • Scenic Fenland Edge of Village Location • Period Coach House Currently Used as Artist Studio • Approved Outline Planning For Additional House • Gardens, Grounds & Paddocks of 5.764 Acres • Main House Accommodation Extends to 2701 Sq. Ft .

• Coach House Total Floor Area Extends to 601 Sq. Ft.

An absolutely charming former vicarage dating back to around the end of the eighteenth century but with a substantial Victorian part facing east to the front, has an equally quaint coach house behind, and nestles within mature trees on an extensive fenland plot on the borders of Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. Positioned on the very edge of the ribbon settlement of Sutton St. Edmund, it was built on charity land some distance from the church of St. Edmund, which was erected in 1790 following the enclosure of the fen. The Victorian part of the vicarage is reputed to be designed by Sir Gilbert Scott, the prolific Gothic Revival architect who also designed a rectory in the nearby village of Tydd St. Giles.

The owners have owned the property in excess of thirty years, initially enjoying its tranquility as a weekend retreat from London, but moving in permanently in 1990. She is an artist, he, a writer and publisher, and the house in its peaceful rambling, rural setting has suited them both perfectly. The coach house was initially ideal as a studio, but could make a very comfortable and well appointed large bedroomed annex with spacious open plan living downstairs. Both of these beautiful old brick buildings have merged into the landscape with burgeoning climbers such as energetic wisterias and roses clambering up their walls, softening the

edges and providing colour throughout the warmer months.

With all the exterior timber sash windows, barge boards and doors painted in a pleasing Farrow & Ball blue paint that complements the red brick, and a delightful higgledy-piggledy facade glimpsed from the country road between trees with a gravel drive that takes you through a verdant tunnel, the property is most intriguing.

“We were particularly taken with the place because the house hadn’t been tampered with, and, being an artist, the proportions and look of the rooms and the house is very important, and here they are very, very pleasing,” assures the owner. “Also, unlike so many old properties with extensive grounds, no part of them has been sold off and it is beautifully enveloped by trees. We found the property when it wasn’t up for sale but we were obviously meant to have it as, initially, a friend knocked on the door on our behalf, and despite the big storm of 1987 when fallen trees in London almost stopped us coming, we still came and managed to persuade the owner to sell it to us,” divulges the owner. The views of the open fen from upstairs windows are superb. “It’s not picturesque from an artist’s point of view, but it’s a working landscape and I love it. I love the feeling of space, in fact I feel somewhat claustrophobic elsewhere now.”

The house is full of charm, colour, and interest, not a surprise with the artist owner enjoying intense colour which is the hallmark of her lyrical paintings. Still retaining so many original features, even down to the ripply glass in some of the windows, it has a lovely feel to it, a point made by everyone who visits.

“We have been so lucky here, the house has been very generous to us. The dual aspect drawing room is probably my favourite space with its big south facing bay, although the even larger reception room at the front is also a very nice room, and each has a fireplace.” Rooms are certainly of fine proportions, even the main bathroom is extremely commodious with the bath perpendicular to one of its two east facing windows, providing a spectacular view of the far reaching fen.

On the ground floor a single storey extension at the back is used as a studio or at least acts as a storeroom for a host of colourful paintings. “The coach house was a marvellous studio for me but it was in a pretty dire state when we came here. We had to do a lot to it to make it usable, but now it’s sound and very comfortable.” says the owner. “I had two studios in there, one for display and one as my working space. It still has the original manger although it’s been covered up.

“When we leave, I will desperately miss the garden. It’s so peaceful and abundant with mature trees; there’s a very beautiful Scots pine that stands over the coach house like an umbrella,” she says. A huge number of different species reside here: willow, oak, beech to name but a few, as well as evergreen trees and shrubs. A naturalistic pond is home to lilies, gunnera and irises. Nothing is too restrained, deliberately allowed a fairly free rein to give an informal, relaxed feel - perfect subject matter and inspiration for an artist. Beyond the two and a half acres of lawns, borders and orchards, the rest of the property’s land, amounting to a further three or more acres, is grazing. “For many years the field had horses grazing on it; at present it’s sheep pasture - a neighbour keeps it under control and makes hay in summer,” she concludes.

Energy Graph

Additional Information LOCAL AUTHORITY: South Holland District Council SERVICES: Mains Water and Electricity, Oil Fired Central Heating and Septic Tank

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 2019 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.

The Coach House

The Coach House

The Coach House

The Coach House

Location

Postcode for satellite navigation: PE12 0LR

On The Doorstep...

Directions

The South Lincolnshire village of Sutton St Edmund is situated close to the border of Cambridgeshire, approx. 9 miles south from Holbeach and 10 miles west from Wisbech. The village has a red-brick Grade II listed church dedicated to Saint Edmund, dating back to the late 18th century. The neighbouring village of Sutton St James offers a great number of local amenities including a primary school, local shop and post office, butchers, bakers, farm shop and a local pub. Gedney Hill with its 18 hole Golf Club and North View Lake which is a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts is less than 4 miles away. The Fenland Airfield and Fenland Aero Club is located nearby providing a wide range of facilities to aviators, enthusiasts and spectators.

There is also an opportunity to learn flying with the Fenland Flying School.

Travelling from the Peterborough direction, take the A47 towards Wisbech / Kings Lynn. At the Thorney Roundabout take the first exit onto B1167, signposted Gedney Hill.

Continue on this road for approximately 4.5 miles and at the T junction turn right onto B1166 signposted Sutton St Edmund. Stay on this road for approx. 2 miles and then turn left onto Broadgate, signposted Sutton St Edmund and after 2.8 miles you will find The Old Vicarage on the left hand side, the very last property in the village.

Wisbech - the ‘Capital of the Fens’ - is around 10 miles to the east, offering shops and supermarkets, swimming pool and sports facilities, a theatre and secondary schools including the rated Wisbech Grammar School. Spalding, which is approx.

15 miles to north-west, also has an excellent range of shops, amenities and schooling. The East Coast Rail Link runs from Peterborough (18 miles) giving access to London with a journey time less than an hour or to the Midlands and North.

To arrange a viewing of this property please contact 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 or Darren Christie at our Rutland, Stamford & South Lincolnshire office. © 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.

Location

The Fenland Airfield & Fenland Aero Club (4 miles)

Wisbech Gramma School (10 miles)

Springfield Shopping Centre, Spalding (15 miles)

Peterborough with its train station (18 miles)

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