Property description
Dating from the late nineteenth century and built of attractive local Ketton stone, The Firs is an excellent example of the stature and style of Victorian architecture and the fine craftsmanship of the time. The splendid façade with its square-bay stone-mullioned windows overlooks an expanse of lawns to the front and the house sits centrally within secluded grounds enclosed by stone walls, mature trees and hedges. Internally, the property retains many original details including ornate cornices, deep skirting boards, a sweeping oak staircase, picture and dado rails and open fireplaces whilst a unique feature is the bell-system, still in working order with bell-presses in each of the principal rooms. Recent updates have added modern comforts to create what is both an impressive residence with elegant reception rooms and a welcoming and practical family home with extensive and flexible accommodation. The four acres of mature grounds have sunny lawns, a sheltered courtyard and an orchard; the splendid Victorian stable block retains the original stalls, tack room and coach house and the three bedroom Lodge cottage has the potential to create a separate annexe or guest suite. Overall The Firs is a magnificent period property with unique features and wonderful opportunities to create a stunning village residence close to Stamford.
APPROACH
From stone-pillared gates the drive winds through secluded grounds, past the imposing frontage to the Porch where wide stone steps lead to the Front Door. The drive continues round to the Stable Block, garages and Back Door.
MAIN HALL - 23' 3'' x 13' 11 (7.08m x 4.24m)
The panelled entrance door opens into a spacious vestibule with decorative encaustic tiled floor and windows to the side, whilst a further door set in a carved panelled wall with stain-glass detail opens into the Hall. The splendid central Hall with its soaring ceiling and oak floor sits at the heart of the house with doors to the principal reception rooms and the impressive oak staircase leading to the first floor landing. Doors from here also lead to a Side Hall with an external door to the courtyard and to the Back Hall.
MORNING ROOM - 17' 11'' x 14' 7 (5.46m x 4.44m)
An attractive room with a wonderful square-bay window overlooking the front lawn and many period details including dado and picture rails, deep skirting boards and a pretty fireplace with marble inset, carved surround and a working open fire.
DRAWING ROOM - 22' 4'' x 20' 0 (6.80m x 6.09m)
This elegant light-filled room has striking deep square-bay windows overlooking the front lawns and many ornate decorative features including elaborate cornices, painted panelling, deep skirting boards and an impressive marble fireplace with open fire and carved mantelpiece.
DINING ROOM - 23' 7'' x 20' 8 (7.18m x 6.29m)
A stunning room ideal for grand-scale entertaining, this has an original fireplace with an open fire, marble detail and carved surround, whilst the deep square bay window has views over the garden and a pretty, glass door leads out to a flagged terrace and the lawns beyond. A door leads to the Service Room which is fitted cupboards for china storage and leads to the back hall and Kitchen.
CLOAKROOM ONE
With WC and basin.
STUDY - 12' 1'' x 11' 10 (3.68m x 3.60m)
With a west-facing window.
KITCHEN & BREAKFAST ROOM - 19' 11'' x 15' 11 (6.07m x 4.85m)
The sunny Kitchen is fitted with bespoke units hand-built in Canadian Maple and centred around a gas-fired two-oven AGA set in the original stone chimney breast. The range of fitted wall and base units has tiled work-surfaces and includes a traditional Dresser with shelving, basket-style drawers and glass front display cabinets. There is tiled flooring and the deep, wide windows overlook the sheltered side lawn. The 1½ bowl stainless steel sink has a mixer and filtered water tap and waste-disposal, and further appliances include a five-ring gas hob, double electric oven, American style Fridge/Freezer and dishwasher. A unique feature of the room is the original servants bell system, marked with the name of each room and still in full-working order.
BACK HALLWAY
Adjacent to the Kitchen door is the Back Hall, second staircase, Cellar and passageway leading to the Utility Room, Sauna and a door out to the Courtyard and Gym. The Sauna has an adjacent changing area with shower and the Gym overlooks the sunny courtyard; fully fitted as an exercise room it could equally be used as a garden room or playroom.
CELLAR
The extensive cellars comprise a number of linked rooms providing excellent storage, one of which houses the recently installed gas central-heating boilers.
UTILITY ROOM
With plumbing for a washing machine and tumble-dryer and a double-stainless steel sink with mixer tap.
CLOAKROOM TWO
With stone flooring and white WC and basin.
FIRST FLOOR - LANDING
The splendid oak staircase with carved newel posts and ornate balustrades, rises to a wide Landing with a stained glass window, dado rail and panelled doors to the main bedrooms. At the far end, the Landing connects to the Back Staircase.
MASTER BEDROOM SUITE - 22' 11'' x 15' 11 (6.98m x 4.85m)
This handsome room has stately high ceilings with deep cornices and skirting boards, a picture rail and a pretty open fireplace. A deep bay window has a window seat from which to enjoy the view over the garden and a second window to the side lets in further light. A door leads to the Ensuite Bathroom: with a window to the side and a charming original fireplace, this is fitted with twin basins, WC and a bath with mixer tap and overhead shower. A door connects to the Dressing Room: fitted with a range of hanging and shelving space.
CLOAKROOM THREE
With WC and basin.
BEDROOM TWO - 17' 11'' x 15' 10 (5.46m x 4.82m)
A spacious room with views to the front and a pretty fireplace.
BATHROOM
A sunny and spacious bathroom with a white suite comprising basin, bidet, WC, shower and free-standing bath with mixer tap and hand-held shower attachment.
BEDROOM THREE
This elegant room has windows on two sides and lots of natural light. A door connects to Bedroom Four.
BEDROOM FOUR/STUDY - 17' 3'' x 9' 7 (5.25m x 2.92m)
Currently used as a library and Study, this could be used as a bedroom or equally has the potential to become an Ensuite Bathroom for Bedroom Three.
BEDROOM FIVE - 15' 9'' x 12' 1 (4.80m x 3.68m)
A cosy room with a west-facing window and an original open fireplace.
BEDROOM SIX - 15' 10'' x 14' 6 (4.82m x 4.42m)
With a window overlooking the side garden and an original fireplace.
SHOWER-ROOM
With two basins, WC and shower.
SECOND FLOOR - ATTIC ROOMS
Two sets of stairs lead up to the top floor where two further rooms have far-reaching views over the grounds and could be used as bedroom space or as hobby or games rooms. At the centre of the Attic Floor is a magnificent BILLIARD ROOM with space for a full-size billiard table and seating. Adjacent to this is the former Smoking Room with a storage room beyond.
GROUNDS & OUTBUILDINGS
The private grounds extend around each side of the house, and are designed with a mix of lawns, wooded areas and sheltered seating spots enclosed by stone-walls, hedging and tall mature trees. At the front of the property a grassed terrace is overlooked by the deep windows of the reception rooms and drops down to a wide expanse of front lawn edged with trees and natural wild-flower planting. On the far side of the house is a lawn enclosed by a tall hedge, ideal as a play-area or for creating a sheltered parterre and beyond this, the former grass tennis court is overlooked by a wooden Summerhouse, set on a rotating plinth to catch the sun throughout the day. At the back of the house a sunny enclosed Courtyard makes the perfect sheltered seating spot with easy access to and from the house. Running towards the far perimeter beyond the Stable Block is a large paddock with natural grass and wild-flower planting and a number of ancient fruit trees which produce abundant crops of apples and pears. The garden has many varieties of mature tree including willows, holly, cherry blossom and firs.
STABLE BLOCK
The splendid Stable Block is a fine example of Victorian stabling with tiled floors, two large stalls with feeding troughs and three smaller central stalls. A tack room lies at one end and above is a large, attic space with a high vaulted ceiling. A door from the Tack room connects the Stable Block to the adjoining Lodge Cottage.
GARAGES
At the opposite end of the building, the original coach house section has two sets of tall double doors and is now used as a spacious Double Garage, whilst adjacent to this is a separate Single Garage with inspection pit.
THE LODGE
The pretty stone lodge is located by the entrance gate from the side lane, and has four downstairs rooms including a kitchen and cloakroom, and three double bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. At the side of the cottage is a spacious area of garden fenced off from the main gardens beyond. The cottage has plumbing, drainage and electricity, and whilst it is in need of total refurbishment it has the potential to create a spacious and charming separate annexe.
Image of house front
Image of front lawn
Image of living room
Image of living room
Image of dining room
Image of dining room
Image of drawing room
Image of living room
Image of pools & sport
Property Features :
- A SPLENDID VICTORIAN MANSION WITH FINE PERIOD DETAILS, EXTENSIVE OUTBUILDINGS & MATURE GARDENS
- Morning Room, Drawing Room, Dining Room
- Service Room & Larders
- Master Bedroom Suite
- Five Further Bedrooms