Great Blakelands, Marston Moretaine, MK43

The perfect property presents itself here, where there’s every fundamental for a forever family home, plus bonus features aplenty. And the best bit? It’s right on the doorstep of The Forest Centre.

Not yet a decade old, this David Wilson ‘Manning’ was purchased by the owners from new in 2014. They preferred the low maintenance of a new build, and have kept the home to exacting standards. They’ve also improved upon the original, most notably extending in 2017 to add the large lounge. For such a bright room, it’s very cosy with its log burner, and we love the display shelving for special souvenirs and framed photos. On a warm day, you can get outside via doors to the garden, where there’s a good-sized lawn and two generous patios. Expertly planned, there’s always something in bloom, and neighbours have planted conifers for screening.

Coming back inside, there’s fantastic flow, especially between the lounge, kitchen and dining room. It’s the heart of the home, with an openness for keeping an eye/ear on children, and for hosting, so much so that tea parties for the elderly run by a local charity have taken place here. The dining room is expansive, with space for a long table for dinner parties, Sunday lunches, even festive banquets.

Where better to cook than in this high-quality Second Nature kitchen. Refitted in 2021, there’s a wide range of cabinetry, quartz surfaces, floor-level and under-unit lighting, Amtico flooring, alongside everything you could need for quick snacks to show-stoppers. The sink has a Quooker tap and an Insinkerator, and Neff appliances include an induction hob with extractor, an oven, microwave and warming drawer, a dishwasher, freezer and full-height fridge. Appliances are WiFi-operated so you can switch the oven on to preheat on your way home. The adjoining utility room has storage, surfaces and a sink, the boiler, plus space for a washing machine and tumble dryer.

To the front of the accommodation is the office to one side and the playroom to the other, with the welcoming reception hall and the cloakroom in between. These additional rooms afford dedicated places for work and play, and are flexible for whatever you need now and in the future.

Upstairs, the galleried landing leads to five double bedrooms and the main bathroom. The master benefits from a tall box-bay window looking out over the leafy setting. Consisting of a four-piece bathroom, a four-piece master en suite, and a three-piece en suite to bedroom two, all bathrooms are modern and neutral. There are two baths at the house, so parents can create a calming atmosphere without having to tidy away toys first.

For all-important storage, there’s an understairs cupboard, an airing cupboard, as well as built-in wardrobes to four of the five bedrooms. The owners have boarded the garage loft to make sure there’s more substantial storage on offer for large families alongside what’s available in the house.

One of the appeals of this particular plot is the ability to convert the garage. It’s been built in such a way as to facilitate an annexe (stp), and there’s also possibility to convert the main loft (stp).

The owners appreciated details big and small when searching for a home. The mixed-materials façade sets this property apart, and a six-car driveway is really rare at newer developments. They’ve installed an EV charger for convenience, and the house is alarmed for security.

The property is quietly tucked away at the edge of the development, yet still within close walking distance to shops, services and schooling. Offering the best of both, Marston Moretaine village has strong community spirit, varied activities and amenities, and is also well connected to Bedford town centre, Milton Keynes city centre, and London by rail from Flitwick. Nearby days out include Wrest Park, Woburn Safari Park and Whipsnade Zoo, and when child-free, there’s Aqua Sana at Centre Parcs, and Ampthill for dinner and drinks.

There are many happy memories for the owners within these walls and in and around this wonderful village, and this is the ideal opportunity for a new family to move straight in and make their own.