Property description
A splendid historic residence set in delightful grounds approaching 4 acres with a swimming pool, tennis court, and superb equestrian facilities.
SITUATION
Skeffington House is located in the heart of the pretty Leicestershire village of Skeffington just 11 miles east of Leicester and 12 miles north of Market Harborough. Local shops and amenities are available in the nearby village of Billesdon whilst Leicester has more extensive shopping and leisure facilities and a thriving cultural scene including the renowned Curve Theatre. The pretty market town of Uppingham, nine miles to the east has a range of traditional shops as well as bars and restaurants.The property is ideally located for commuting by road and rail with easy access to the A47 and links to the A1 and M1; Leicester station has high rail travel to London St Pancras and routes to the Midlands. The area is home to many respected public schools including Uppingham, Oakham and Oundle and there are a number of well-rated state school options. The property particularly benefits from its proximity to Rutland Water where there are a wide range of outdoor pursuits on offer such as trout fishing, cycling, walking and climbing. There are a number of excellent local restaurants including the famous Hambleton Hall Hotel.
DESCRIPTION
Set in wonderful private grounds of approximately 3.59 acres (1.46 Ha), Skeffington House is a stunning period residence quietly located in the heart of this pretty Leicestershire village. The property dates from the 1800s when it was built as the coach-house and stable block for Skeffington Hall. The property's equestrian connections continued into the last century when it became a renowned racing stables and in the 1930s it was home to several Grand National winners - whose names are proudly carved in stone lintels around the stable courtyard. The style and architecture of the Grade II listed building has been carefully incorporated into the house which has stunning reception rooms with high ceilings and magnificent oak beams, whilst the elegant Drawing Room has French doors set into the original coach entrances. A marvellous Kitchen & Breakfast Room and sleek contemporary bathrooms have added modern features to the period character, and Skeffington House is now a welcoming and practical family home, with the added benefit of a large self-contained one-bedroom Annexe. The lovely south-facing façade overlooks front lawns whilst the back of the house and stables are centred around a pretty cobbled courtyard. Surrounded by delightful mature grounds with a tennis court and swimming pool, the property is still excellently equipped for equestrian use; the extensive stabling comprises looseboxes and stables for up to 15 horses, along with an all-weather Manege and a small paddock. With its lovely setting, period character and extensive accommodation, Skeffington House is a truly unique, impressive home in a superb location.
APPROACH
A gated entrance opens to a wide gravelled drive along the front of the house, which is sheltered by tall mature trees and has a turning circle beside the stone porch and Front Door. A wrought-iron gate leads to the courtyard.
GROUND FLOOR
ENTRANCE HALLFrom the porch, the front door opens into the impressive Entrance Hall with solid oak floors, a wonderful carved stone fireplace with stone hearth and an impressive central beam. Light from windows on two walls floods in and stairs lead to the Master Bedroom wing. A wall of glass-fronted library shelving lines one wall and the room makes an excellent reading or entertaining space. DRAWING ROOMThe elegant Drawing Room is ideal for stylish entertaining. Occupying the main section of the coach-house, there are two sets of French doors set within the high coach entrances allowing the spacious room to be opened up to the courtyard on warm days. A magnificent carved stone fireplace has a stone hearth and is fitted with a gas coal-effect fire, and a door leads to the Central Hall.CENTRAL HALLWith a mix of parquet flooring and carpet, the Central Hall has a view of the courtyard, doors leading to the rest of the living rooms and stairs to the first floor bedrooms. BILLIARDS ROOMWide double doors open into this splendid room with impressive high ceilings and two walls of windows with views out over the gardens. There is a fine stone fireplace with open grate, and space for a full size Billiards Table. This would equally make an excellent formal Dining Room ideal for large-scale entertaining. SNUGWith a unique curved wall and wide doorway, this relaxed family space has a picture window over the garden and is ideally placed adjacent to the Kitchen.KITCHEN & BREAKFAST ROOMThe stunning Kitchen & Breakfast Room is a delightful space ideally suited to being the centre of day-to-day life. The room retains the original mellow brick-work floor, as well as high windows which flood the room with light, whilst a wide ½-glazed door opens the space up to the courtyard and garden beyond. The superbly equipped kitchen was fitted four years ago with a range of painted oak wall and base units and an impressive central island with a large informal dining area at one end. The Kitchen has granite work-surfaces and a double Belfast sink with mixer and hot water taps beneath a courtyard window. Set within a brick chimney breast is an electric double-oven AGA whilst further integrated appliances include a Bosch single electric oven, plate warmer, steam oven, microwave and dishwasher, plus an American style fridge/freezer by Fisher & Paykel.CLOAKROOMThis pretty room has tongue & groove panelling and a white WC and basin.UTILITY ROOMWith base units and plumbing for a washing machine and tumble-dryer.CELLARThe Cellar houses the boiler and oil tanks.
FIRST FLOOR
Two sets of stairs from each end of the house lead to the first floor rooms with a central Landing running between the two wings. MASTER BEDROOM SUITEA staircase from the Entrance Hall leads to the Master Bedroom, quietly located at one end of the house. This impressive suite of rooms has lovely south-facing views to the front and to the side from wide stone-mullioned windows and the ceiling has magnificent high beams. A door connects the room to the central Landing whilst further doors lead to the Dressing Room and Bathroom. The spacious DRESSING ROOM is excellently equipped with two walls of wardrobes fitted with shelves and hanging space and light from a courtyard-facing window. The luxurious ENSUITE BATHROOM has sleek contemporary fittings and black granite tiles and comprises twin counter-top basins with mixer taps, bidet, WC, an impressive corner Jacuzzi bath, a raised shower with bench seat and twin heated towel rails.GUEST BEDROOM SUITEThis wonderful guest room has high ceilings, views to the side and fitted wardrobes. A door leads to the ENSUITE SHOWER-ROOM with a pretty window to the side garden, a white basin and mixer tap, WC, shower and heated towel rail.BEDROOM THREEA light-filled room with two windows looking out over the courtyard, and fitted wardrobes.BEDROOM FOURA well-proportioned bedroom, also with views over the courtyard below and benefiting from fitted wardrobes.BATHROOMThe stylish bathroom has twin counter-top basins with mixer taps, WC, heated towel rail and walk-through shower.
FIRST FLOOR APARTMENT
With a private ground-floor entrance from the courtyard, the first floor Annexe is entirely self-contained and is ideal for live-in staff or older family. Excellently equipped with a suite of spacious rooms, the apartment comprises: Kitchen/Breakfast Room: Fitted with a range of wall and base units, a stainless-steel sink with drainer, an electric Miele hob and space for an integrated oven and free-standing fridge/freezer. French doors open to a Juliet balcony overlooking the courtyard and there is a large larder cupboard. A door leads to a hallway and stairs down to the courtyard entrance.Living Room: With a high ceiling, beams and courtyard views, double doors connect to the Kitchen.Shower-room: With white basin, WC, shower and heated towel rail.Bedroom: An extremely spacious room with a Juliet balcony overlooking the courtyard and an internal door connecting to the main house.
COURTYARD & GARDENS
The stables are grouped around two sides of the sheltered courtyard which has lovely cobbles and walls trained with clematis and wisteria. A gate adjacent to the Kitchen door leads to the extensive gardens which feature a mix of sheltered seating areas, woodland and wide expansive lawns, all of which are sheltered by original brick walls and high mature trees. Immediately adjacent to the house is a large flagged patio garden, ideal for alfresco seating and sheltered by a wall with an espaliered fig tree. A path leads through to a south-facing lawn edged by wide borders stocked with mature shrubs and climbing roses and sheltered by a high wall to one side. A gate leads to a lawn at the side of the house and at the far side a pathway leads through to a pretty spinney of mature trees and on through to the Paddock at the far perimeter of the grounds.
TENNIS COURT & SWIMMING POOL
Set to one side of the patio garden, the hard-surface Tennis Court is sheltered by a south-facing wall trained with espaliered fruit trees including varieties of pear, peach, nectarine and plum. The court has flood-lighting for evening games. The Swimming Pool is located at the far side of the main lawn set within a gated entrance and has sheltering walls draped with wisteria. There are wide areas on all sides ideal for seating, as well as a south-facing open Pavilion overlooking the pool.
STABLE BLOCK & MANEGE
Set along two sides of the courtyard, the excellent equestrian space features three large stables each housing three looseboxes and a separate run of six stables opposite the main house. There is a tack-room with WC and basin and behind the courtyard is the large all-weather Manege which is enclosed by post and rail fencing. The history of the yard is commemorated in the lovely inscriptions in the lintels above each stable, marking the names and dates of the Grand National champions.
PADDOCK
The paddock, approx. 1.7 acres, lies at the far side of the property and has a gate from the spinney as well as vehicle access from the road. It is enclosed by post and rail fencing and has a separate water supply.
CARPORT & OUTBUILDINGS
Set around the central cobbled courtyard along with the stabling, are a number of original brick outbuildings with covered car-parking for up to five cars, a Garden Store, and a purpose-made Wine Store with built-in bottle storage and temperature controls.
GENERAL REMARKS
Services: Mains water and drainage, electricity. Oil-fired central heatingIn all approx. 3.59 acres (1.46 Ha) Local Authority: Harborough District CouncilCouncil Tax Band: H Tenure: Freehold
Property Features :
- Stunning Kitchen Superbly Equipped and Fitted w. AGA
- Living Room w. French Doors Opening onto Courtyard
- Billiards Room w. Stone Fireplace
- Master Bedroom Suite
- Guest Bedroom Suite