- Victorian Barn Conversion +
- Planning permission only recently lapsed to increase floor space to 3982 SF +
- Two gated driveways / parking forecourts +
- Character and charm +
- Plot 1/2 acre approx +
- Tucked away yet convenient for amenities +
Nestled in a generous plot on the site of a former lime quarry, Kiln House is a truly unique home. Not only does it have a colourful past, still evident today in some of its original features, but it also holds great possibilities for the future. “We bought it in 2020 because it ticked a lot of boxes for us,” explains one of the current owners. “It was an older property, a very characterful home, and yet it also had many of the benefits of a more modern house. We believe it was converted into a residential property in 1985, from buildings that were once part of the working quarry. This means that it is now a comfortable, easy place to live, with none of the issues you might associate with an older, listed property.”
EXCELLENT LOCATION
Offering generous living space and gardens of approximately half an acre, Kiln House was also in a perfect location. “We wanted to be part of a village and Silverstone was wonderful,” he recalls. “There is a very nice community here and it is a very well serviced village, with a school, shop and pub etc. Yet it is also well placed for the M1, M40 and travel into London. It is quick to reach Towcester and Brackley, as well, of course, as Milton Keynes and Oxford.” He continues: “I spend time travelling for work and find it easy to travel by road or rail, as well as to airports. It would be very hard to find another location that has all of these benefits.”
CREATIVE THINKING
Today, Kiln House has an interesting layout and a creative design that encompasses much more accommodation than is immediately apparent. With a part-reverse-level arrangement, its ground floor is also its upper level. Entered via a porch and then an inner hall, this fans off into a capacious sitting room, with a quadruple aspect. “This very large room was one of the main attractions for us – it is a fabulous space with French windows onto the terrace and views out over the garden,” he explains. “The terrace is fenced, making it ideal for anyone with children or pets.” All three bedrooms and the beautiful family bathroom, which features an elegant, freestanding bath, are also at this level. The master suite, which also has French windows that can be thrown open on summer days, has an en suite shower room and fitted wardrobes. The second bedroom also has built-in storage. “The current arrangement has worked very well for us, with one of the bedrooms set up as a home office,” he adds.
The lower ground floor of Kiln House also opens onto the garden. The family can spill outside from the kitchen breakfast room or the sun room. The kitchen, which has exposed brickwork, is a practical space for preparing and storing food, and there is ample space for a table and chairs. It flows smoothly into the sun room, which is currently used as a family room. “It is nice having the choice of whether to be upstairs or down – and to be able to wander outside easily from either level,” he observes.
The existing house, which has been redecorated and well maintained, is ready for new owners to move straight into. Yet, plans for substantial extension are also in existence. “We achieved planning permission, which has only just lapsed, and had building regulations in place to extend the current house and create a whole new outbuilding,” he explains. “The existing house is approximately 1,884 sq ft – once developed, the property would offer up to 3,982 sq ft of living space on a plot of almost half an acre.” The idea was that the separate building would incorporate a garden room or gym area downstairs and a one-bedroom apartment or office space upstairs. The extension of the main house would allow for an extra bedroom upstairs, much improved principle bedroom, and a snug and cinema/living room downstairsupstairs and then a large open plan kitchen/living/dining area downstairs. “It would bring even more living space, creating a very large, open-plan kitchen, dining and family room.”
If new owners did carry out all this work, they would still be left with a very generous garden, he stresses. There would be plenty of space for children to play on equipment and for outdoor entertaining and relaxation. “I also intended to do something quite special with the original lime kiln, which is still in the grounds,” he continues. “My idea was to turn it into a lovely place to sit with a glass of wine or beer on summer evenings – and, again, this is something new owners could also do if they wished.” He adds: “As it is, Kiln House has been such a lovely place for us to live – and with all these additions, it could be even better.”
Kiln House sits on a plot of approximately half an acre. The property has a gated entrance and off-road parking. There is a useful workshop and storage building. The main garden is landscaped, with areas of terrace and lawn. The original lime kiln still sits within the grounds.
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