Rushden Road, Bletsoe, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK44

THE PROPERTY
Bletsoe Cottage is a property ideally suited for family and multi-generational living and enjoys a private position on the edge of this accessible north Bedfordshire village.

Dating back to the late 17th/early 18th Century, this Grade II Listed property is constructed of stone under a clay tiled roof. In the 19th Century the cottage was extended to the right hand side in local brick with matching clay tiled roof. The name “cottage” does not really do justice to what is a substantial family house set back and protected by the delightful mature grounds that surround and offer both privacy and protection.

Approached over a sweeping in and out gravel drive, the property enjoys a timeless charm and offers the ideal environment for entertaining on an intimate or larger scale. The Annex to the side offers great independent living facilities but could easily be incorporated with the original opening still in situ.

The real assets to Bletsoe Cottage are the garden and grounds with formal and informal areas along with walled kitchen garden and orchard. Outside the formal garden are paddocks and a grass field offering ideal facilities for equine uses supported by the availability of stabling.
A truly unique country house that will require inspection to fully appreciate the lifestyle opportunities on offer.

BLETSOE COTTAGE
Part glazed double doors open to flagstone tiled reception hall with staircase gently rising to the upper floors. The two principal reception rooms lie on the front with sitting room benefitting from an open fireplace along with original beam ceiling and French doors with glazed side lights overlook the front drive and garden with working shutters. The dining room has matching French doors with the marble fireplace enjoying pride of place with oak cupboards either side with display shelving.

Leading off the hall is the snug/play room with wood burner sitting in a stone fireplace and adjoining is the farmhouse-style kitchen with tiled floor.

Fitted shaker units provide an abundance of storage with black granite work surfaces within inset double bowl white enamel sinks with mixer tap. Cooking facilities are provided by the oil-fired, blue, two oven Aga with supporting two-ring halogen hob. A Bosch dishwasher is integrated and there is a very useful pantry cupboard in the corner. A glazed door leads into the conservatory overlooking terracing and up to the walled garden.

Lying off the family room is a cloakroom, home office and beyond a store room along with steps leading down to the cellars which are divided into a number of areas and in the past clearly used for the storage of wine, wood and coal. A stable door from the snug allows access to the boot and utility room with fitted cupboards and plumbing for washing machine and dryer.

FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS
Accessed via front or rear staircases, the two principal bedrooms run along the front of the property with one benefitting from fitted wardrobes and off the landing is a shower room and access to mezzanine landing overlooking the family room below and offering access to family bathroom with separate shower cubicle and a further double bedroom with ensuite bathroom. An airing cupboard houses the hot water cylinder with slatted drying shelves. A dog-leg staircase rises to two further bedrooms with one having an ensuite bathroom.

ANNEX
Lying to the south of Bletsoe Cottage and enjoying vehicular access over the side drive lined by pollarded lime trees with parking in the courtyard. A part-glazed door leads into flagstone tiled reception hall with cloakroom off and to the right is the kitchen/breakfast room with west facing glazed double doors overlooking the front drive. The kitchen is functional with Neff cooker with Zanussi four ring hob and there is a stainless steel 1½ bowl sink and plumbing for washing machine.

The recess within the breakfast room and alcove in the kitchen link through to the dining room of Bletsoe Cottage.
To the left of the hall is the dining room and beyond a sitting room with built-in cupboards and French doors opening onto rear paved terrace. Stairs rise to the landing with airing cupboard housing hot water cylinder. Two double bedrooms are served by an interconnected bathroom with shower above the bath.

OUTBUILDINGS
Lying to the south east of the cottage and benefitting from its own access is the gravelled rear courtyard framed by traditional outbuildings on two sides. The main building housing the stabling with original wooden partitions still in situ are a nod to the past when Bletsoe Cottage was used as a coaching inn. In their day they would have provided six hunter boxes although currently repurposed for storage purposes. An original cobbled path runs to the front and across the courtyard is the former bread oven along with carport. A number of outbuildings have recently suffered from high winds and been removed and subject to listed building consent would be ideally suited to provide a number of additional car ports.

GARDEN, GROUNDS & PADDOCKS
Bletsoe Cottage is approached over a sweeping in and out gravel drive with formal lawn in between and the western boundary is defined by a belt of mature woodland.
The main garden lies to the rear and is a gardener’s delight. Close to the rear of the Cottage are tiered paved seating and dining terraces. A gravel path meanders around to the well-stocked herbaceous borders passing the ancient mulberry tree. At the top of the garden sits the former grass tennis court which is overlooked by decked seating area. Beyond the walled garden lies the orchard with mature fruit trees including medlar, pear, cooking and eating apples along with plums and quince. In the corner of the orchard is brick stable block providing three stables. Beyond is one of the post and rail paddocks with five bar field gate in the top corner providing access to the main grass field. To the north
of Bletsoe Cottage and enjoying direct access off the main
drive, is a further paddock with grass track running along
the outside of the kitchen garden wall and providing
vehicular access to the main paddocks.

PROPERTY INFORMATION
Services: Mains water, electricity and drainage are connected.
Oil fired central heating to radiators.
Local Authority: Bedford Borough Council
Tel:
Broadband: Gigaclear fibre broadband available
Outgoings-Bletsoe Cottage: Council Tax Band "G"
Outgoings: Annex: Council Tax Band "D"
Tenure: Freehold.
EPC Rating: Exempt