Ashbourne, Derbyshire

LONGFORD GRANGE

Longford Grange is a truly magnificent former rectory and quintessential Derbyshire country home. Centuries of history sit on the shoulders of this handsome Georgian Grade II residence, which is complete with distinctive architecture; an interior defined with exquisite period detailing, and all with contemporary elegance and the finest fittings throughout.

INTRODUCTION

Manor houses, mansions, and country estates flourish in our English countryside and this handsome home is one of them. The history of Longford Grange is impressive and is a stunning example of a decadent Grade II former rectory, in an incomparable setting. Steeped in history with an abundance of original features, this home is enviably nestled within exceptional grounds approaching thirteen acres, surrounding the property on all sides.

It is reported to have started its life in the 1820’s and enlarged in 1840 with further minor alterations in 1843. This grand property is constructed from red brick with brick dressings and stone sills. The property essentially appears as a two-storey rectangle of four bays by three, a typical Georgian façade, with a hipped slate tiled roof displaying wide overhanging eaves and five brick ridge chimney stacks. The slightly later extension off the north elevation and rear of the property, increased its size and space substantially, creating what is now an L shape in plan.

Sympathetically and meticulously reconfigured and remodelled by the current owners just five years ago, the distinctive features are beautifully presented, creating a timeless and stylish family home, perfect for modern family life. Highlights include the most imposing plaster cornicing, the highest of ceilings, boxy room volumes and grand glazing bar sash windows. Room to manoeuvre is clearly not an issue as the home boasts excellent room sizes, comprising of five spacious double bedrooms (one is currently used as a cinema room), two of which are suites complete with both sitting and dressing areas, and four bath / shower rooms. The beauty of this home is further enhanced by an enviable dining kitchen, and a collection of impressive reception areas. The total accommodation of which extends to approximately 5874 sqft. In addition to this, is a one bedroom self-contained cottage, originally the coach house, and benefits from being detached from the main residence with its own separate driveway and parking. There is no shortage of storage within the grounds ranging from brick-built outhouses, store rooms and garden sheds.

For lovers of the outdoors, quiet moments can be enjoyed in the delightful formal, informal, or walled gardens or in a less structured woodland garden. On the other hand, those with energy to burn can work it off on the tennis court, or sporting activities on the manicured lawns. The grounds also include a number of outdoor dining areas, including a paved patio to the rear and side of the property. The beauty of this home is enhanced by spectacular panoramic views over open countryside.

The home is set in a fabulous location for commuting with easy access to the historic market town of Ashbourne, as well as the city of Derby. To the south, the A50 is just fifteen minutes away leading to two major motorway links that of the M1 and the M6. The nearby train station in Derby provides a regular and direct route to London St Pancras, Manchester or Sheffield. This is truly a spectacular country home not to be missed.

GROUND FLOOR

The front of the property faces to the west and showcases a semi-circular off-centre doorway with raised moulded impost blocks and double glazed panelled front doors. This grand entrance opens into a spectacular hallway which boasts an original Minton floor, spacious enough to accommodate occasional furniture, whether it be a piano or occasional seating in front of the hallway fire. Here there is a beautiful and prominent ceiling arch and curved balustrade staircase. The imposing hallway gives access to all the downstairs accommodation, the first being two versatile south facing reception rooms.

The Georgian period saw construction move towards grand areas with large sash windows, high ceilings, fireplaces and balanced interiors, which could not be more perfectly illustrated than here. The drawing room is decadent, flooded with natural light through the oversized sash windows, and oozes understated luxury - perfect for entertaining and quiet nights in front of the fire. Day to day, the current owners utilise the adjacent sitting room where comfort is of the essence, a lovely recreational space for chill out time with the family.

The hallway continues to the left and gives access to the formal dining room which overlooks the front of the property. This opulent and generously proportioned room, featuring a further open fireplace, gives a real sense of occasion; a place to create atmosphere for friends, fun and food, comfortably seating up to twenty. A further doorway at the far end of the dining room gives access to the kitchen creating ease when entertaining large gatherings.

The open plan kitchen with dining area and further living space is simply breath taking. The shaker style units have been exquisitely crafted by one of the most notable kitchen designers, and appointed with high quality fixtures and fittings, including a large sized oil fired Aga. This stunning room provides the perfect contemporary reception space for relaxing and versatile day to day living, whether it be a casual breakfast with family or friends, or supper in front of the log burning stove. To the rear of the kitchen is a utility / laundry room, together with a hugely practical (and enviable for those who cook!) butler’s pantry.

Further downstairs accommodation consists of a practical home office leading from the kitchen and hallway, a ground floor guest cloakroom with WC, and large storage room, perfect for outdoor attire.

SELLER INSIGHT

This magnificent Georgian country house, which sits nestled within almost thirteen acres of beautiful gardens and grounds, occupies an incredibly picturesque rural location in the Derbyshire Dales. The house was built back in 1820, and although it retains every bit of its original character and charm, in the past few years it has been stylishly yet also very sympathetically modernised by the current owners.

“The house is absolutely gorgeous, but over and above anything else, it was this glorious location that proved to be the biggest selling point,” says the owner.

“Although we’re only around six miles from Ashbourne and eleven miles from Derby, the property sits in splendid isolation, surrounded by nothing but rolling farmland so it’s green for as far as the eye can see. It’s very peaceful here, totally private and the outlook in every single direction is just breathtaking.”

“During the time we have lived here we have carried out some refurbishment and have decorated throughout, and although the layout has remained largely the same, we have created a fabulous open-plan kitchen, dining and living space. The house is obviously listed so we’ve retained and enhanced all the beautiful period features, but we’ve also added more modern elements such as the stylish kitchen and bathrooms. We’ve tried to strike a really nice balance between the old and the new, so although the house as a whole has this wonderful sense of grandeur, it’s also a very warm and comfortable family home.”

“The gardens and grounds are another really beautiful feature of the property. There’s a lovely old courtyard where I’ll sit and have my coffee, bathed in the morning sun; we have open lawns, a tennis court and a paddock in which we keep our alpacas. But my pride and joy is without doubt my vegetable garden. It’s a huge space, surrounded by a high wall and hedging, and in it I grow every vegetable you can think of and a variety of fruit. I love spending time outside, and the garden is something I’m going to miss terribly when the time comes to leave.”

“The open-plan kitchen, dining and living space is the hub of the house. There’s a big island unit in there, a dining table and a large comfy sofa so plenty of space for cooking, relaxing and informal entertaining.”

“The house is stunning in every single way, but it’s this amazing setting that I’ll miss most,” says the owner. “I can’t imagine there is anywhere else quite so beautiful.” *

* These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.

LOWER GROUND FLOOR

Adjacent to the kitchen is a hallway door leading to a stone stairway which gives assess to a substantially sized cellar. This is vast and runs under a large proportion of the original structure. There are three vaulted chambers approximately seven feet in height and provides versatile storage space if required.

FIRST FLOOR

The homes main staircase leads from the entrance hallway to the first floor. There is a shower room off a half landing, perfect for guests. The landing is expansive being incredibly light and showcases the space on offer. This home benefits from a further staircase giving direct access from the principal bedroom to the downstairs.

The upstairs accommodation consists of five light and airy double bedrooms (one of which is currently used as a cinema room). Two of which have ensuites, and all rooms have sliding sash windows and phenomenal countryside views.

The principal bedroom suite is impressively spacious, elegant, and refined and includes a notably sized dressing room with an abundance of fitted wardrobes. A further doorway leads into a luxurious ensuite bathroom.

The main bathroom within the home is spectacular. Complete with free standing bath, double walk-in shower, and contemporary fittings, all of which creates a truly luxurious and tranquil space.

Just across from the main house is the Coach House. That was another renovation project of ours and it’s now a really stunning self-c ontained one-bed annex. It’s great for when family and friends come to stay, but it could also be a fantastic little Airbnb.”

THE COTTAGE

To the rear of the property is a detached self-contained one bedroom cottage, accessed either through the courtyard of the main residence or from the rear driveway. Originally the coach house, the property’s charm and history has been sympathetically preserved and offers a very different feel to the main house. This would provide either ancillary accommodation to the main property, a perfect office suite, or perhaps provide the possibility of income potential (subject to the relevant planning required).

OUTSIDE

To the outside, Longford Grange is private and secluded, largely hidden from view by its own private woodland, and approached via a long gravelled drive with cattle grid and wooden gates.

This home sits handsomely within its own grounds, stretching to approximately thirteen acres and is surrounded by grazing land and manicured lawns which delineate a wide expanse of gravel driveway which provides parking for multiple vehicles, both outside the front of the property and at the rear. To the front of the property and largely hidden from view, is a full sized astro turfed tennis court enclosed by the woodland and trees.

The original coach house, now converted cottage has retain the two curved fronted barns, providing ideal garaging. In addition, the property boasts a tractor shed, various storerooms for housing garden equipment, logs and outdoor furniture.

The gardens have period features of their own, not just through the planting of shrubs and borders keeping to traditional Georgian symmetry, but also due to the historical layout of gardens of this era. A rare find is a large enclosed walled garden complete with summer house and greenhouse. This kitchen garden presents a stunning variety of mature and young fruit trees, a plethora of vegetable plants, berries, and flowering plants – prettily edged by gravel pathways with cobbled edges.

To the south of the property is what is called (in agricultural terms) a Haha, also known as a blind fence or deer wall. This is shown as a curved vertical barrier in the land in order to preserve an uninterrupted view of the landscape beyond from the other side. In essence, it gives the impression of the property being elevated.

The driveway and grounds are edged with well-established trees, shrubs and specimen trees and surrounded by well-maintained lawns. Both the south and east side of the property have a large expanse of flagged stone patio providing the perfect area for alfresco dining, entertaining or just enjoying a casual drink in the summer months.

This is countryside living at its very best. We enjoy utter peace and privacy, the views are breathtaking and we can step out of the fro nt door and walk the fields for hours without seeing another soul. The village, which is under a mile from here, has a great sense of community, and for all of our day-to-day essentials we usually head into Ashbourne, which is a beautiful little market town.”

LOCAL AREA

The pretty village of Longford is in a conservation area which is predominately rural and located south-east of the Derbyshire Dales District. The village itself is peaceful and hugely picturesque and consists mainly of scattered farms and houses set around the parkland of a handsome old medieval hall. This rural setting is situated on an old Roman road, Long Lane, approximately 8 miles northwest of Derby, off the A52.

Longford Grange sits within its own ground with the utmost privacy yet moments away from many local amenities in the nearby market town of Ashbourne. There is no shortage of places to eat locally with well-known gastro pubs just moments away. There is an array of excellent local schools, both a village primary school and a larger well reputed secondary school nearby. There are also notable independent establishments just a short drive away.

The recreational activities surrounding the area are vast ranging from sporting activities at the nearby Carsingwater Reservoir to cycling on the Tissington Trial as well as walking the many countryside routes in places such as Dovedale and Thorp Cloud. The area is a magnet for hikers owing to the stunning local landscape of the nearby Peak District National Park where the places to visit are endless.

INFORMATION

Services

Mains water, sceptic tank and oil-fired central heating.

Tenure: Freehold Council tax band: G

Local Authority Derbyshire Dales (District Authority)

Viewing Arrangements

Strictly via the vendors sole agents Fine & Country on 01332 973888

Website

For more information visit www.fineandcountry.com/uk/derbyshire

Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 5.30 pm

Saturday 9.00 am - 4.30 pm

Sunday By appointment only

Registered

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Printed 13.10.2022

FINE & COUNTRY

Fine & Country is a global network of estate agencies specialising in the marketing, sale and rental of luxury residential property. With offices in over 300 locations, spanning Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia, we combine widespread exposure of the international marketplace with the local expertise and knowledge of carefully selected independent property professionals.

Fine & Country appreciates the most exclusive properties require a more compelling, sophisticated and intelligent presentation –leading to a common, yet uniquely exercised and successful strategy emphasising the lifestyle qualities of the property.

This unique approach to luxury homes marketing delivers high quality, intelligent and creative concepts for property promotion combined with the latest technology and marketing techniques.

We understand moving home is one of the most important decisions you make; your home is both a financial and emotional investment. With Fine & Country you benefit from the local knowledge, experience, expertise and contacts of a well trained, educated and courteous team of professionals, working to make the sale or purchase of your property as stress free as possible.

PIP HOLDEN

PARTNER AGENT

Fine & Country Derbyshire 07970 926 418

email: pip.holden@fineandcountry.com

Pip is a great communicator and prides herself on keeping in touch with both buyers and sellers alike. She loves to help buyers find the property of their dreams and can offer expert advice on premium locations across Derbyshire having lived across the County over the last 40 years.

ARMA KANG

PARTNER AGENT

Fine & Country Derbyshire 07852 877 164

email: arma.kang@fineandcountry.com

Throughout his 20-year career within the property industry to date, Arma brings all the qualities you need for a successful home move. Arma specialises in high exposure technologies and regularly attends national training sessions to showcase new marketing technologies so he is at the forefront of cuttingedge technology when it comes to finding the right buyer. A strong believer in the power of positivity, Arma is dedicated to working with you on a consultative level from start to finish to achieve the results that you require.

Fine & Country Derbyshire