Semi-detached house for sale in Church Street, Langford, Biggleswade SG18

Latcham Dowling are delighted to offer for sale this Grade 2 listed Early 18th Century former Farmhouse for the first time in 30 years. There is an abundance of original Georgian features throughout the home as well as later Victorian additions. The home has a welcoming presence the moment you walk into the entrance hall with high ceilings, its part original/part Victorian flooring and your eyes are immediately drawn to the large Inglenook fireplace. There are two more well proportioned, panelled reception rooms, one a sitting room and the other a dining room, both with open fireplaces. The kitchen, utility and WC complete the ground floor.

Once upstairs you are greeted with four bedrooms, the largest of which being the master at 21' all again with original features including fireplaces, cornicing and sash windows. There is a large family bathroom. A wooden door also leads from the landing up to the Attic rooms which are on a substantial scale and subject to all the correct permissions, could also be used as accommodation.

Outside the 47' Studio barn has both air conditioning and heating from an air source heat pump. Opposite, across the garden, is a second brick studio building that sits on two floors, incorporating a double garage. Both of these buildings lend themselves to further development subject to the necessary permissions. The organic garden is extremely private with mature planting and perfect for entertaining. To the front there is a shingle driveway that could comfortably accommodate 8 cars which in turn leads to the garage with double wooden doors.

The property sits in the heart of Langford with a direct train service to London St. Pancras 2 miles away in Biggleswade. The A1 is less than 2 miles to the east. There are beautiful countryside walks with abundant birdlife and wildflowers. Langford has many facilities including an excellent Lower School, satellite Doctor’s Surgery and Post Office with Secondary Schools in Biggleswade and Shefford.

Entrance

Entrance via white timber six panel front door with porch canopy over and leading to entrance hall.

Reception Hall (6.35m x 4.09m max (20'10 x 13'5 max))

The reception hall is far more than a hall. It has an open and welcoming presence and has been used as a dining area, entertaining area and is the real heart of the home. With its original spectacular coloured tiled flooring and generous inglenook fireplace, one could imagine coming down on a cold winter's morning with the fire roaring whilst taking your morning tea. The light spills through two large 12 paned sash windows giving an ever-changing atmosphere throughout the day. The stairs rise to the first floor accomodation whilst the hall stretches to the rear of the property. There are internal timber doors to the sitting room, dining room and access to the kitchen. Two radiators.

Sitting Room (4.47m x 4.09m (14'8 x 13'5))

The features of this room include the large fireplace that houses a cast iron log burner with a wooden surround and mantle, original panelling and beautiful wooden floorboards. All lit again by two 12 pane sash windows. There are two recesses either side of the chimney breast that currently house library bookcases (not included in the sale)

Dining Room (4.39m x 3.51m (14'5 x 11'6))

Walk in box bay window to rear aspect with sash window. Further window to rear aspect. Exposed timber flooring. There is decorative wooden panelling to the walls with an original feature arch recess shelving to the right-hand side of the chimney breast. There are several other storage drawers and cupboards that are inset to the panelling. The open fireplace has a wooden surround and mantle over.

Kitchen (3.53m x 2.62m (11'7 x 8'7))

Window to rear aspect. Range of base and eye level units with worktops over. Five ring gas hob with extractor hood over. Integrated oven. Built in dishwasher. One and half sink drainer with "Swan neck" mixer tap over. Tiled flooring.

Utility (2.95m x 2.44m (9'8 x 8'0))

12 pane sash window to rear aspect. Window to side aspect. Stable door to side aspect. Step up to wc. Plumbing for washing machine. Wall mounted boiler. Quarry tiled flooring.

Wc

Corner wash basin. WC, side aspect window.

First Floor

First Floor Landing

Half landing with steps up to galleried landing. Doors to all first floor bedrooms and bathroom. Timber door giving access to staircase that in turn leads to the Attic spaces.

Bedroom One (6.48m x 4.09m (21'3 x 13'5))

Three 12 pane sash windows to front aspect. Two radiators. Two double wardrobes. Three window seats below the windows.

Bedroom Two (4.57m x 4.06m max (15 x 13'4 max))

Two twelve pane sash windows to front aspect. Radiator. Window box seats. Wash basin with built under storage cupboard. Ornate fireplace with cast iron grate and decorative tiling surround. Original built in wardrobe.

Bedroom Three (4.57m x 3.58m (15 x 11'9))

Twelve pane sash window to rear aspect. Radiator. Built in wardrobe.

Bedroom Four (2.95m x 2.62m (9'8 x 8'7))

Twelve pane sash window to rear aspect. Exposed floorboards. Exposed brickwork with feature brick plinth arch. Radiator. Access to loft space.

Bathroom (3.58m x 2.62m (11'9 x 8'7))

Sash window to rear aspect. Five-piece suite comprising of his and hers c1901 oval wash basins set into marble work top. Wc. Panelled bath with telephone mixer tap set. Step up into separate shower unit. Exposed timber flooring. Wooden latched door to airing cupboard.

Attic

The attic lends itself to a conversion as there are three large spaces with power and lighting. Of course, this would be subject to all the necessary permissions being gained and building approval being granted.

Outside

Front Garden

There is a shingle L shaped driveway that in turn leads to a garage with two separate timber doors. To the front the garden is retained by the original brick wall with a gate that leads to the front pathway and in turn the front door. The driveway and indeed the whole of the front garden is well screened from the road with an array of trees and shrubs. There is access from the driveway to the rear garden. There is ample parking for 8 cars.

Back Garden

The rear garden is very well screened and a private haven, pesticide and chemical free for over 30 years. There is a large patio which is perfect for a summers day of entertaining. There is a good sized lawned area with an abundance of plants, shrubs, hedges and fruit trees that really does give you a private setting. One side of the garden houses the "Studio" and the other side a two-storey brick barn that again really does lend itself to be converted/used as an annex or office space, again subject to all the permissions/planning/building regulations being granted.

Garage

The Studio (14.35m x 5.08m (47'1 x 16'8))

Originally a cow shed, it has been used as a photographic studio in recent years. The building itself is cavernous at 47' in length and 16' wide. It has a wooden suspended floor and power and lighting throughout. There is also the added benefit of a wall mounted air conditioning unit/heater utilising an air source heat pump. This building offers so much potential. A huge store unit, an annexe, a dance studio, art studio, an office the choice is yours!

Two Storey Barn

Now across the garden from the barn sits the two-storey brick-built barn that has in the past been used as a photographer's dark room. There is power and lighting and again it lends itself to being used as an office/annex with some work. Again, all the correct permissions will need to be sort.

Vendors Comments

Facts about Church Farm:

Early 18thC Georgian Farmhouse, simple but elegant. Much of the original panelling remains with some Victorian alterations. The tiled floor in the Hall has tiles dated to 1870. All restoration has been mindful of preserving as much of the original fabric of the building, no unnecessary holes. Carpenters marks are found in the attic joists and on the rafters, discovered when the roof was retiled in 2012. Tlx Gold Roof Insulation was used to preserve the structure of the roof whilst reducing the heat loss through the roof. The chimney on the southern elevation rebuilt in 2012, with full Listed Consent. There are three working chimneys in the property. The Flat roof on the rear extension was replaced with pitched roof at the same time. Four of the sash windows, upstairs in the front of the house, are original. Many of the window panes have original glass, which creates the most beautiful living shadows the the sun shines through. Where ever possible any broken panes have been replaced with hand made restoration glass.

The Barn/Studio was originally a Victorian cowshed, the sloping cobbled floor is preserved beneath the suspended wooden floor. The Studio roof is insulated and has an Air Source Heat Pump for both heating and air conditioning. The room above the garage was used as a darkroom and has sinks and kitchen units. The ground floor room has a built in light table and film storage units.

In 1874, according to an auction poster from that year, Church Farm extended to 630 acres, had seven bedrooms, three attic bedrooms were included, the Drawing Room is now the master bedroom, there was a tennis court in the garden and a cellar, now filled in, though possible to rediscover. There is also reputed to be a tunnel from the cellar to the Crypt of St Andrew’s Church across the road. In the sitting room there are aerial photos, from the 60’s to the present day, showing the transformation from working farm to the home it is today. I’ve lived here for over thirty years and the house has always embraced visitors with warm friendliness and a comfortable atmosphere. The garden is secluded and has secret wild palaces. Many of the flowers, amongst those that have been planted, are ‘blow ins’ who visit for a while and then pop up elsewhere. Bluebells by the back door, Star of Bethlehem, winter aconite, foxgloves, feverfew, yellow iris with extravagant seed pods. Wrens and robins live in the ivy on the walls of the garage.

Agents Notes

*This is a grade 2 listed property.
**There is a flying freehold with the next-door property.
***Viewing strictly via appointment only.