As you approach this lovely home on Peveril Road in the delightful village of Ashby Magna, the house and its surrounding create an immediate impression: English country charm, smothered with several centuries of character. This prestigious property is situated behind a low level brick boundary wall, nestled amongst other bespoke cottages and houses. It is complimented from the outset with appealing features: chimney pots, narrow red bricks, grey tiled roof and the promise of wisteria and roses above and around the arched rustic porch.



Originally, the farmhouse was a working farm, with around 90 acres of land. A bill of sale document dating from 1919, records that the farm was once part of the village estate and although the precise age of the building is unknown, it is estimated that Ivy House Farm is certainly beyond two hundred years old. In 1995 the milking parlour was converted to the present day equestrian loose boxes that line the large brick faced yard to the side of the plot. There is structural evidence in various parts of the building indicating how its purpose has been altered and extended over the years. Here, we have a beautifully proportioned four bedroom property, with four reception rooms and out buildings.



This attractive property is situated in the centre of Ashby Magna. The village hall is located a little further along Peveril Road and the grade II listed 14th century parish church of St Mary’s is around the corner on Gilmorton Road. In such a delightful location, Ivy House Farm adds its own portion of charm to the surroundings. It is presented with a well maintained front garden, entered from the pavement through a wrought iron gate leading to the front door. To the side of the house a wide wooden gate opens into a spacious hard standing area, where there is easy access to car ports positioned in between the loose boxes. There is ample space for vehicles, parking and of course, horses! It is from here that the separate studio – once a tack room - can be entered and rear entry gained to the house.



A warm welcome



If we enter by the front door, the hall is predictably in the centre of the property with reception rooms leading to the left and right, and stairs ascending straight ahead. There is a similar lobby underneath the staircase allowing easy access to all parts of the ground floor without necessarily having to return to the front entrance. This practical arrangement allows ease of movement for larger scale entertaining, while maintaining the individual character and purpose of the separate rooms.



The sitting room has antique pine doors, exposed ceiling beams and a neutral palette of interior colours chosen to reflect light and create a traditional, period atmosphere. The open fireplace with natural slate hearth and rustic mantel, add to the charm of the room, where the contours of the chimney breast allow spaces for integral shelving and furniture. The eye is naturally drawn to the light pouring in through the white French doors at the furthest point. From the carpeted cosiness of the drawing room, we now enter the glorious sunroom. This room is reminiscent of the grandeur associated with a Victorian style conservatory, primarily due to the shape and size of its glass ceiling. It has a hard tiled floor, contemporary lighting and deep windowsills, with another set of double doors opening into a courtyard boarded by mature shrubbery. The courtyard has a boundary marked by a low brick wall and within the grounds is a garden well.



There are two remaining reception rooms. By re-entering the house but turning to the right, we can walk under the stairs – as previously explained – into a small lobby that has four doors opening into or from it. A storage cupboard directly under the staircase is opposite to a cloakroom, with toilet and wash basin. The remaining fourth door leads back into the dining room. From this room it is possible to return to the front door or enter the family room, and lastly through to the kitchen diner.



The dining room has an open fireplace with a slate hearth and oak surround and mantel, that matches the internal doors and solid oak, herringbone arrangement of parquet flooring; this continues into the family room. Both rooms have exposed beams and integral shelving in glass or oak. The family room has a similar open fireplace with oak surround and mantel but houses a log burner in its chimney. The windows in both rooms look out towards the front of the house. All the reception rooms have been tastefully decorated to maintain consistency, creating an air of quality and longevity.



A character kitchen



From one lovely room to another, we now view the bespoke and generously sized breakfast kitchen. This room has an abundance of unique characteristics, even possessing a tethering ring set into the wall where horses were once held when this space was a stable. Flagstone tiles, sink, Aga cooker, stable back door, vaulted ceiling and arched wine racks are but a few from the array of features to be found here. A central island with hard wood work tops forms a focal point amidst a swathe of floor, wall cabinetry and a built in butchers’ block. This kitchen is totally practical yet immediately striking providing ample storage space for integrated appliances including an electric cooker with hob, extractor hood and dishwasher. The Aga splash back has been decorated with distinctive tiles, a plaque above commemorating the name of the house and useful heat-proofed side panels. This room has ample space for a separate table for informal dining and a laundry/utility room removes additional appliances out of sight in a room accessed from the family room. Overlooking the rear and side of the property, here there is additional storage, Boston sink and worktops, with appropriate plumbing for a washing machine and vented tumble drier.



The first floor beckons



If we now double back through the living room and re-enter the hall, the carpeted double hand railed staircase leads to a long landing running along the centre of the house, exposing the arrangement of doors leading to a family bathroom and four bedrooms, all featuring rustic oak interior doors.



Situated at the front of the house, the spacious master bedroom has integrally fitted wardrobes and is fitted with air conditioning with ensuite off. All the bedrooms are carpeted and have distinctive characteristics with regards to shape, storage, and number of windows, with the back bedroom having a handy suitcase store. There are two bathrooms. The family bathroom is equipped with a whirlpool bath with shower over, tiled from floor to ceiling. All bathing facilities in this property are similarly fitted to a high specification with hard flooring and white sanitary ware.



The reworking of the farm yard



It has already been noted that this wonderful residence has been altered in purpose and structure over the years. These changes have been sympathetically employed to retain the style and character of bygone times but there remains the potential for further redevelopment and particularly with regards to the outbuildings. There are seven loose boxes, car ports and a separate building converted from a former tack room. This comprises of a ground floor storage space, toilet and basin, and an upstairs room that could be used as a study, office or hobby room. It is entered via an external oak staircase. In the same way that previous owners have reworked the building to achieve their objectives, future owners of Ivy House Farm may have a vision to continue the narrative. The loose boxes are fitted with 2.8 kW solar panels. These are on a 25 year subsidy programme. With over ten years to run, they generate approximately £1,000 per annum of tax free income.



Ashby Magna is a small village in central England, a region referred to as the East Midlands. It is situated towards the southernmost extremity of Leicestershire being only 11 miles from Leicester’s city centre. It is in the LE17 postcode district and is in the civil or administrative parish of Harborough. It is within easy reach of larger towns such as Oadby, Market Harborough, Syston, Lutterworth, Uppingham, Oakham and Hinkley, all providing a variety of amenities such as edge of town super stores or uniquely bespoke shops.

Villages close by include Willoughby Waterleys, Peatling Parva, Peatling Magna and Dunton Bassett. The village lies midway between junctions of the M1 (junction 20, south, near to Lutterworth and junction 21, north) The M6 and M69 maximise the potential for speedier travel by road from this central Midland location.



The closest train station is 5 miles away in Narborough. The Midland Main Railway Line runs trains regularly to London, St Pancras. From Leicester station there are normally 70 trains running daily to London, the fastest taking only 1 hour and 12 minutes.



The Ashby Village Hall is a lively centre of activity and social life in the village. It hosts ‘The Big Breakfast’ once a month, an occasional pop-up pub and the annual fruit and vegetable show. The village also boasts an annual Street Fair in September. The countryside is on the doorstep and there are many bridle paths and signposted walks to explore.



There are primary schools in Gilmorton, (Chandler Church of England School) Broughton Astley, (Old Mill Primary School and Hallbrook Primary School) and The Mount, in Dunton Bassett. Over a wider area there are several educational options; nursery, primary and secondary. There are also private establishments in the county offering bordering facilities. The Office for Standards in Education - OFSTED – is best researched to provide a comprehensive review of currently rated standards of practice.



Disclaimer:

Important Information:

Property Particulars: Although we endeavor to ensure the accuracy of property details we have not tested any services, equipment or fixtures and fittings. We give no guarantees that they are connected, in working order or fit for purpose.

Floor Plans: Please note a floor plan is intended to show the relationship between rooms and does not reflect exact dimensions. Floor plans are produced for guidance only and are not to scale.