Lower Shelton Road, Marston Moretaine, MK43

Looking for something a little different? This quirky residence with flexible, family-friendly accommodation was built over 100 years ago, beginning as two cottages, hence the name Twin Lodge.

The dwellings were combined into one in the 1980s, then purchased by the current owners 22 years ago. The property was perfect for their plans for a B&B. Four big bedrooms, each with an en suite, was ideal, and a driveway and garage provided parking for them and all their guests.

Not only has this been a wonderful place to stay, kept to immaculate standards and run by kind and considerate hosts, it’s been a wonderful place to live. The accommodation is decorated in a unique style that speaks of a French chateau, a farmhouse, with elements of a splendid stately home.

Stepping inside, after you’ve pulled, not pressed the doorbell, the porch opens into a large reception hall, and the accommodation unfurls from here. A cosy sitting area is to the left, where armchairs can be nestled next to the multi-fuel stove, fitted only a few months ago. Between Aga, log burner and stove, the house is well warmed, with heat travelling up the stairs from the sitting area. A fireplace in the dining area could be reconnected to gas or fitted with another log burner.

Opposite the sitting area is the formal dining space. Here there’s huge opportunity for hosting, with capacity for the whole family to get together for celebrations and occasions. The owners have appreciated being able to hold parties, of which there have been many, followed by a post-dinner play on the piano. The backdrop features one of many fabulous wallpapers, and Karndean Royale flooring spreads throughout the ground floor.

The heart of the home is of course, the kitchen. Blending country with contemporary, there’s black gloss cabinetry, marinace granite worktops, a Franke sink, and space for an Aga and an American fridge/freezer. The island provides further storage as well as casual breakfast bar seating. The utility allows for shutting the door on washing and washing up as there’s a large Franke sink, plus provision for further appliances. There’s a door to the cloakroom, and a stable door to the garden.

An extension to the side of the kitchen just under a decade ago created the orangery, referred to still as the ‘new’ room by the owners. This space affords versatility of use in its size and position. There are high ceilings, windows, skylights and French doors filling the room with sunlight. Completing the ground floor is the office, secluded at the back and with a secondary staircase.

The first floor presents four peaceful places to lay your head. One of the four bedrooms has an en suite bathroom, the remaining three have en suite shower rooms, and one features a freestanding bath for superior soaks. The two sides of the first floor are connected by a walk-in wardrobe. The enormous loft, spanning both original footprints, has potential to convert into a master suite (stp). Outside, additional accommodation is available to the summerhouse in the garden. Homeworkers can have an office, gym lovers can have exercise equipment, or you can have a hot tub in here.

The garden itself is established, extremely private, and faces south west for enjoying sunshine throughout the afternoon and into the late hours. Keen gardeners, the owners have planted and planted over their time here, taking the plot from only grass to copious colour and life. There’s possibility for an allotment, with space for storing tools and supplies to sheds and a greenhouse. Birdspotters will be pleased to see and hear various species overhead, such as owls and woodpeckers, even bats in the evenings.

Lower Shelton has the benefit of being a quiet semi-rural stretch, while just over the A421 to Marston Moretaine, where there are amenities aplenty, such as a primary school and a pub, Co-ops and cafés, doctors and dentists, a butchers and a beauty salon. Often the first thing residents, and non-residents, rave about is The Forest Centre. There’s an underpass from Lower Shelton into Marston Moretaine, the Thrift bluebell wood is nearby, and a neighbouring footpath leads into fields and countryside, all for getting out in nature.

Flitwick station is closest for commuters, Bedford centre and station are around 15 minutes away, and Milton Keynes is around 20 minutes away. The owners have valued easy connections for both local and national excursions, and regularly visit Woburn Sands for Frosts garden centre, Ampthill for boutique and independent offerings, and St Helena in Elstow for dinner.