Grange Road, Blunham, MK44

Away from the hustle and bustle and awaiting new ownership is Holly House: an outstanding example of rural living, in a charming village, in a particularly private and peaceful position.

Burrowed at the end of Grange Road, tucked in Bedfordshire countryside, the sounds of the surroundings consist of birds singing, sheep baa-ing and leaves swishing. The tree-bounded plot gives a glorious green canvas for the eyes, and the local farms provide a feast for the senses, with honey from their hives, chillis from their glasshouses, and flowers for your table.

Living at the property for 23 years, the owners have been able to appreciate their house, their garden and their spa/bar even more since retiring a few years ago. Holly House has been a sanctuary for them, their children, and now their visiting grandchildren. Over the two decades, they’ve fed their appetite for country walks, for cycling, and for pubs!

The three generations regularly gather in the garden for barbeques by the bar. This versatile outbuilding has been an office, evolved into a bar, and was then joined by the hot tub to create a spa/bar. For little ones, there’s a quarter of an acre in which to play, and they adore watching lambs doing the same in the neighbouring paddock. The gardens combine large lawns, various patios, established flora, and an ornamental pond to add fish to the fauna. The gated block-paved driveway delivers parking for multiple cars, plus a double garage for bikes, motorbikes, maybe a small boat for getting out on the nearby River Great Ouse and River Ivel.

Instead of simply enjoying the boundless benefits here, the owners have added to them, from overhauling when they moved in, to updates and improvements along the way. The roof is maintained against moss, the property is fully alarmed, there’s new guttering, a new pressurised water system, a renewed driveway, and rooms were repainted during lockdowns.

The kitchen, the real hub of the home, was designed bespoke and showcases quality to all corners. Neff appliances include two ovens, two warming drawers, a microwave and a coffee machine, and the central island has an induction hob and a wine fridge. Wood cabinetry is topped with quartz, and the island has a silestone breakfast bar from Chiltern Marble. Storage is extensive to cupboards, drawers, the deep pantry and the adjoining utility area.

For mealtimes, the owners like to eat at the table, moving from the garden room for breakfast and lunch, into the dining room for dinner. Christmastime requires a table big enough for everyone, which this dining room is perfectly sized for, and the fireplace affords another layer of warmth and cosiness. The lounge and the snug each allow for relaxing in comfort, next to modern fireplaces, and with light flooding in through triple aspects in the lounge and two skylights in the snug.

At the day’s end, there are five double bedrooms for a good night’s sleep, each big enough for toddlers to teenagers, and the master with views through the trees for a beautiful backdrop to wake up to. Both the en suite and family bathrooms are pristine, and there’s a fabulous freestanding bath for a long soak after a long day.

Life feels calm and quiet at all times here in the friendly village of Blunham. You’re within easy reach of road networks including the A1, A1(M), A421 and M1, within close proximity of schooling, supermarkets and services, and a swift trip to St Neots and Cambridge too. For train travel, Bedford and Sandy stations are the nearest. Blunham offers characteristic village amenities such as churches, a primary school (Ofsted ‘Good’), a nursery (Ofsted ‘Outstanding’), playing fields, a local shop and a pub. There’s also a cricket club and a football club. Bordering Great Barford is home to more pubs, a coffee shop, a doctors and a butchers.

Although handy to have many watering holes nearby, when you’ve got all Holly House has to offer on tap, why not pour yourself a drink in your own bar to savour in your own back garden, while the children run off their energy in their new, natural environment.