About the House cont'd
The current owners purchased the property in 2023 and have undertaken a comprehensive programme of remodelling and improvements including replacing most of the roof, installing new copper pipework and plumbing, two new boilers and installing an additional hot water cylinder on the lower ground floor. A former workshop has been converted into the gym. The vendors have also undertaken a comprehensive refurbishment programme internally, employing an interior designer and redecorating with Farrow and Ball paintwork and designer wallpapers including a William Morris print in the double height reception hall. A carpenter was also employed to build bespoke fitted cabinets and display shelves throughout. The kitchen/breakfast room has been completely refitted and a new utility room installed on the ground floor, and there is a second kitchen on the lower ground floor.
Overview
The property has almost 12,500 sq. ft. of versatile accommodation in total over four floors and would work well for multi-generational living or for those who wish to work from home. It has been finished to a high specification and has been designed by the vendors with a focus on family life, leisure and entertaining with a combination of formal rooms for parties and smaller more private rooms for private family time. There are also two offices on the ground floor for working from home and the property benefits from a comprehensive data network system housed in a dedicated server room on the lower ground floor. As the vendors are downsizing some of the furniture may be available to purchase subject to separate negotiation if desired.
Overview cont'd
A private single track carriageway leads to a gated entrance in the ornate wrought iron railings which surround the property and provide both privacy and security. The landscaped gardens and paddocks encircle the house and there is a second gated access. An elevated driveway accesses both the double garage and the gym and provides additional parking.
Ground Floor
The oak entrance vestibule has an original mosaic tiled floor and a door into the reception hall which has exposed oak floorboards, an ornate plastered ceiling and deep cornices. All entrance doors have leaded light stained glass fanlights. An oak staircase leads up to the galleried first floor landing. The inner hallway has floor tiles, space for seating, a cloaks cupboard and a cupboard housing the electricity meters and wiring. The cloakroom is fitted in a modern white suite.
Principal Reception Rooms
The drawing room and dining rooms both measure over 27 ft. and have mullioned bay windows, original marble fireplaces with open grates, ornate ceiling plaster work, deep ceiling mouldings and picture rails. The dining room has exposed floorboards, a door to the side and a range of bespoke carpentry which includes a sideboard and a fitted unit which spans one wall and has folding doors which open to reveal a bar with a fridge, and shelving for bottles and glasses. The drawing room has new LVT flooring, and bespoke cupboards and display shelving in the recesses either side of the fire. The morning room is dual aspect with views of the garden and has a limestone fireplace with a range of bespoke cabinets either side, an exposed oak floor which has been repolished, moulded ceilings, deep moulded covings, and picture rails.
Other Reception Rooms
The snug has a bespoke range of fitted cupboards and shelves, windows to the side, and a door to the fire escape. The office has a range of fitted furniture including a desk and shelving and bench seating by the window. The study has not yet been refurbished by the vendors and has a bay window to the side.
Kitchen/Breakfast Room
The kitchen/breakfast room has new LVT flooring, and has been refitted with a comprehensive range of bespoke custom-built cabinets with quartz work surfaces. The storage includes a pantry cupboard, a breakfast unit with folding doors which conceal appliances such as a coffee maker and toaster, and a cupboard which conceals a TV. There are two central islands, one with breakfast bars to seat eight and the other with an oak butcher’s block and a prep sink. There are also two Franke sinks, with a Quooker boiling water tap, set in the perimeter units. Appliances include a range cooker with an electric induction hob, two fridges, a wine fridge, a freezer, two dishwashers, a microwave, and a warming drawer.
Utility Room
The new utility room has a range of base units under the window and full height cupboards spanning the wall opposite. These full height cupboards have power connections to house appliances such as air fryers, bread makers and the like so that they don’t take up space on the work surfaces. There is space for a washing machine and a tumble dryer, and a door to a two piece cloakroom.
First Floor
The galleried landing is on two levels. The upper landing has steps down to a lower landing which has the lift and a staircase to the second floor. A door leads to the external fire escape and a second staircase to the second floor.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
The dual aspect principal bedroom (bedroom three on the plan) has a traditional style Adam fireplace with an open grate, original detailed plasterwork on the ceiling, picture rails and wall friezes. The dressing room has a traditional marble fireplace and the en suite shower room is fitted in a modern white suite which includes a double shower cubicle. Bedroom one has an en suite bathroom and a dressing room. Bedroom two has an en suite shower room. All three en suites have travertine wall and floor tiles.
Two further bedrooms have dressing rooms and en suite shower rooms and one has an en suite cloakroom. There are two further bedrooms on the first floor, one of which is used as a treatment room. These bedrooms share a three piece bathroom and there is also a room with potential to be turned into a shower room.
Second Floor
The stairs to the second floor have a range of fitted bookshelves, and lead to a landing with access to the lift and a fire door to the fire escape at the side. There is a built-in storage cupboard, a bathroom, and access to the roof space. There are three further double bedrooms on this floor all with en suite shower rooms. Two have walk-in wardrobes and the other has a dressing room with a range of contemporary style wardrobes.
Lower Ground Floor
The lower ground floor has an external door from the garden which opens into a hall/boot room with a range of built-in cupboards for coat and shoe storage. It can be accessed internally by the lift or by stairs from the ground floor. This floor has a focus on leisure with a games room with space for a pool table, a sitting room with access to a potential shower room and double doors to the rear courtyard garden, and a TV/gaming room with a walk-in cupboard. There is also a cinema room which is currently used for storage but retains the ceiling projector, a 150 inch screen and surround sound speakers.
Second Kitchen
The second kitchen has a range of full height cupboards spanning one wall, a double sink set into a base unit, and a central island which incorporates a breakfast bar. Appliances include two ovens, a fridge/freezer, a wine cooler, and a Bosch hob. There is space for a washing machine, and a door to the rear courtyard. The cloakroom has a WC and a wash basin, and houses one of the hot water cylinders. There are several walk-in general storage rooms, a server room with the Network servers, Broadband, ISDN and telephone system, and a Motor Room with the lift control system.
Gardens and Grounds
The Grange is accessed from the A6 through a remotely operated pillared entrance to a sweeping carriageway which provides access to it and one neighbouring property which is accessed separately. The Grange occupies a prominent elevated position with open views. The newly tarmacked driveway provides access to a gravel parking area in front of the house and then continues to the double garage and gym. The gardens and grounds extend to approximately 3.1 acres and are fully enclosed and stock proofed. They are principally lawned with established borders, and mature trees which include Cedar trees. Outside the drawing room there is an extensive paved terrace for al fresco entertaining and there is also a paved area under a gazebo, and the rear courtyard has a further paved seating area.
Detached Double Garage and Workshop
The double garage is of brick construction under a pitched roof and has two remotely operated doors and power and water connected. The gym is of timber framed construction and is fully insulated with double doors at either end. It has power connected, and telephone and internet access.
Outbuildings and Paddock
In the rear courtyard there are three brick built outbuildings in an L-shape and with power and internet access. These are currently used for storage, and there is also a boiler room housing the electronically managed gas fired boiler system serving the heating and hot water systems.
The paddock has timber five bar gates and is fully enclosed by post and rail fencing.
Situation and Schooling
Local amenities in Milton Ernest include a lower school, a garden centre, hotel/public house/restaurant, a church, and a village hall. It is approximately 5 miles from Bedford town centre which has the Harpur Trust schools and a railway station with services to St. Pancras International 41 minutes.
