ely, cambridgeshire

Beautifully RestoredLittle Thetford | Cambridgeshire | CB6 3HA

BEAUTIFULLY RESTOREDTucked away in the peaceful village of Little Thetford, where you can hear a pin drop while sitting amid its tranquil surroundings is a picture-box perfect home which is aptly named. Here you can find all that is wonderful about this time of the year, when the grass is greener, the birds sing their familiar song, and the verdant trees sway gently in the breeze as if greeting spring as a welcome friend. Visitors are guaranteed a warm welcome. Here they can relax on the patio in the rear garden with its substantial lawns, by the apple, pear and plum trees, as cuckoos call and dart among the branches.

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April Cottage is a pure delight and offers easy access to the A10, which is ideal for commuting into Cambridge. For those that need to travel further afield to London, then Ely train station is only a short car or cycle journey away.

The Village Church is the backdrop to this lovely Grade II detached, thatched cottage in the heart of this small village. As you pull up outside, it is surprisingly quiet, taking into consideration the A10 is nearby.

The cottage was formally a Coaching Inn known as the Rose and Crown until the early 1950’s when it was purchased and has resulted in the fine family property which it is today.

Having been sympathetically extended to accommodate the growing demands of modern day living, the cottage offers all the comforts that we all desire with today’s life styles, whilst retaining a wealth of character and charm. Now offering flexible living accommodation to include three first floor bedrooms and a ground floor annexe or teenager suite with two possible further bedrooms with independent access.

The cottage offers a free flowing layout and is light and airy throughout. Most recently the cottage has been redecorated externally and has been partially re-thatched.


MAIN HOUSE

The RECEPTION HALL is lovely and inviting and has a newly installed solid wooden door which closes with a re-assuring “clunk” and French Oak flooring. You are immediately taken by how light and airy it feels as soon as you step inside, with a full drop double glazed window to the side of the door. The ceilings are taller than you would expect as often with cottages of such age you are greeted by very low ceilings. With full height, double cloaks closet to one side, there is ample storage for coats and shoes. The exposed timber gives a hint of some of the character to follow.

A door leads off to the GROUND FLOOR BATHROOM comprising a three piece suite with low level WC, wash basin, and panelled bath. This room was the original beer cellar.

From the hall, further doors lead off to the SITTING AND DINING ROOMS.

The DINING ROOM is a lovely size and is bathed in natural light as it enjoys a dual aspect with multi pane windows to the front and rear. There is a feature fireplace which has been boarded and is used as an illuminated recess with beamed mantle over, French oak flooring and an old latch style door giving access to the first floor master bedroom.

As with many homes today, the KITCHEN / BREAKFAST ROOM is the “hub” of the house, being an excellent sized room. Spacious and light, due to the dual aspect windows and multi-paned door which draws you to the garden. There is an extensive range of modern solid wood base and eye level storage units, complemented by granite work surfaces which provides ample work surfaces for the keenest of cooks or for the demands of every day family life. The room is full of character with a recently installed ‘Total Control’ AGA and slate flooring. Adjoining the kitchen area is the UTILITY ROOM with plumbing for washing machine and has lovely views of the garden and church. A multi-paned door leads to the enclosed side court yard and parking area and a personal door leads to the DOUBLE GARAGE.


The main SITTING ROOM is also well lit with dual aspect windows to the front and rear and offers views over the rear garden. French oak flooring, complements the Inglenook fireplace with Bressumer beam and recently installed wood burning stove. Many evenings have been spent with family and friends enjoying the crackling sound of a roaring fire. A further door leads into the family room.

The FAMILY ROOM is a fantastic sized room and its uses have changed over the years, from a playroom to an office, easy accommodating the demands of a growing and changing family.

A further latch door leads to a second staircase rising to the first floor, and glazed double doors leading to a potential annexe, currently being utilised as a CINEMA ROOM with double glazed windows and a door leading to the gardens. This room could form part of an independent annexe being either a fifth walk through bedroom or individual lounge.

Another doors leads into BEDROOM FOUR with double glazed windows overlooking the rear garden and leads to an EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM with WC and wash basin.

The FIRST FLOOR LANDING via the second staircase with exposed timbers leads to BEDROOM THREE with dual aspect dormer windows and a wide range of fitted furniture.

A SHOWER ROOM which has been recently re-fitted with a fully tiled shower cubicle, remote controlled shower, WC, wash basin, wall mounted mirror with motion controlled lighting, ceramic tiled floor with under floor heating.

BEDROOM TWO with window to side aspect overlooking the church yard and church, large walk in wardrobe cupboard with exposed wall timbers.

From the dining room, stairs lead to the MASTER BEDROOM SUITE comprising bedroom area with dormer window overlooking the gardens, steps leading up to the DRESSING ROOM with fitted furniture and two Velux windows, a door leads to the EN-SUITE BATHROOM with a panel enclosed bath, fully tiled shower cubicle, WC and wash basin.


Seller Insight In days gone by those dropping in at the cottage, which dates from the 1700s, would be expecting to buy a pint of ale as the

property was once an inn named The Rose and Crown. It ceased to be a hostelry back in 1952, and there is still a covenant that exists stating liquor can no longer be sold from the premises. The downstairs bathroom is to be found in the former beer cellar.

Since those days, the cottage has gone through a series of transformations, none more so than when the present owners took residence. The list of the works they carried out to create the beautiful home the property is today runs to pages and pages. It is a wonderful blend of old and new, tastefully worked to enhance the synergy of the home, in keeping with its traditions but creating modern-day luxury. Through the study, which was once the snug of the pub, is a cinema room; beyond that a bedroom with en suite shower room. Further along, but accessed from outside, are two versatile former stables, one which has been converted into a gym, and another used for storage. Both have potential to become an annexe, further adding to the spacious home.

New French oak flooring, a new kitchen with range cooker, a re-fitted bathroom including under-floor heating and the addition of a wood burner in the living room, as well as total redecoration, all add to the luxury. The hard work and its results demonstrate the passion of the couple who own this home to do justice to the property, which they happened to discover while out driving in the Cambridgeshire countryside one day. They married in St George’s, the 14th Century church next door, and had a reception in a marquee in the rear garden, with the trefoil west window of the church creating a stunning backdrop.

Since moving here they have discovered and enjoyed all the delights that the village, only three miles from Ely, has to offer, including a sought-after primary school, nursery and kids’ club, social club with Astroturf for cricket and football, play park, and wonderful walks by the River Great Ouse.


New French oak flooring, a new kitchen with range cooker, a re-fitted bathroom including under-floor heating and the addition of a wood burner in the living room, as well as total redecoration, all add to the luxury.


The list of the works they carried out to create the beautiful home the property is today runs to pages and pages. It is a wonderful blend of old and new, tastefully worked to

enhance the synergy of the home, in keeping with its traditions but creating modern-day luxury.


Through the study, which was once the snug of the pub, is a cinema room; beyond that a bedroom with en suite

shower room.


OUTSIDE

From the front double timber gates open to a block paved driveway which provides ample off road parking and leads to the DOUBLE GARAGE with electric door and eaves storage.

The rear garden is an absolute delight and it is not over looked by neighbouring houses. With an expanse of shaped lawns with deep flower and shrub borders, providing a wealth of colour throughout the year. There is a large paved terrace, mature evergreen trees and a variety of fruit trees including Apple, Pear and Plum. The garden is private and offers delightful views over the Village Church.

Adjoining the property is two useful outbuildings (previously stables from its life as a coaching inn) and currently utilised as a GYM and the other is useful storage.


Local AreaABOUT THE AREA

Little Thetford is a popular Cambridgeshire village approximately 3 miles from the city of Ely and 13 miles from Cambridge. The village boasts a Primary School and the 14th Century St. George’s Church. More comprehensive facilities can be found in the nearby city of Ely. Little Thetford offers convenient access to the A10 allowing easy access to Cambridge and the A14. Ely offers rail connections to London Kings Cross and Liverpool Street, approximately 75 minutes travel time.

Train stationsEly 2.1 milesWaterbeach 7.3 milesCambridge 14.8 miles

Primary Schools Little Thetford CofE VC Primary School 600 yardsStretham Community Primary School 1.4 milesEly St John’s Community Primary School 2.3 miles

Secondary Schools Witchford Village College 2.5 milesEly College 3 milesSoham Village College 4.4 miles

Council Tax Band F

*All Distances are approximate


Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in metric with imperial equivalents 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. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent. Printed 23.11.2015

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ely, cambridgeshire

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