Property description

Set back from the main road behind the war memorial, and almost hidden away behind a thick hedge and mature trees in the heart of Elm village, is a very attractive fifties house rather reminiscent of those built in the Arts & Crafts movement. As well as the style of the property being akin to this period, quality of materials and craftsmanship which were paramount then is certainly the case here. As you approach through the pretty metal gates and up the tarmac carriage drive with its circle of lawn in front of the striking façade, you are quite taken with the handmade-brick property that stands before you, softened by a white magnolia grandiflora which clings to the side of the house.

The house is extremely light and spacious and of exceptional quality. It hasevidently been very well-maintained. Thewindows and external doors are the original crittal with leaded panes in theupper third section giving that nod to the Arts & Crafts movement. There issecondary double-glazing in the property. The sitting room is a wonderful spaciousreception room full of light.

The sitting room has a huge inglenook–style fireplace withan arched fifties brick fireplace within it. Although a free-standing electricfire conceals the grate it is a proper working fireplace. Quaint oak seats withstorage space inside flank the brick fireplace, above which are narrow windows;and a joist above the entire inglenook is clad in solid oak. Outside, thefireplace creates an interesting roofed, five-sided structure against the endwall of the house. The parquet floor in the sitting room is now covered with aluxurious pale grey wall to wall wool carpet, so too in the hall and up thestairs. 

Leading from the sitting room past the huge opening into the dining room are doubledoors into the conservatory. The conservatory was added in 1961 and stretchesalmost the whole width of the house, fully-glazed in timber frames givingunhindered views of the sunny garden. From here more double doors open onto thelawn facing the redundant swimming pool.

To your right on entering the hall from the outer enclosed porch, you find asuperb example of a fifties’ kitchen – that sense of utilitarianism andpracticality so evident with its hatch opening into the dining room, and withthe original plain, dusky pink bordered by turquoise, tiles lining the walls. Paintedtimber units allow space for an under-counter dishwasher and washing machine,and a Floatex floor covers the original quarry tiles. The freestanding cookeris electric with a ceramic hob, and the stainless steel sink and drainer giveviews onto the front of the property and the village church over the treetops.A door leads into a very useful pantry, another into the breakfast room at theback, and another into a further hallway connecting with the utility, thegarage and the outside.

All the ground floor reception rooms have brick open fireplaces, and even two ofthe bedrooms have interesting fifties’ tiled fireplaces.  Upstairsnatural light continues to flood in, and a thick carpet underfoot imbues warmthand comfort. The typical fifties’ boxed-in staircase is finished with a beautifully-shapedsolid oak handrail, matched by oak skirting. The very large master bedroom hasa huge window overlooking the garden at the back, and an en suite with theoriginal sandy-coloured cast iron bath, matching ceramic basin and loo leadsoff to the right. Thesecond good-sized double bedroom has double doors forming a bay, again in theoriginal crittal frames, which open onto the flat roof over the conservatorywith fabulous views of the garden at the back.

The garage is an attractive inter-connected building complementing the house withits tall hipped tiled roof. Thegarden is yet another huge asset of Treetops. The plot being sold is about anacre but the “paddock” – the grassy area of about three-quarters of an acre atthe back – is not included in the sale. There will still be a wonderful sizablegarden to go with the house, one full of mature trees, shrubs, and seasonalplantings. Insummer the lupins in particular are quite spectacular.

This really is a unique property in the heart of the village. It is only 200 yards to the primary school, and a newly created children’srecreational area, and there are bus stops right outside for secondary schoolsto both nearby Wisbech, and March slightly further afield. The village shop isjust 250 yards away, and the church is right opposite. Very close by are somelovely pubs serving excellent food.

Property Features :

• A Conveniently Located Central Village Family Home
• Designed and Built in the 1950s by a Local Farming Family
• Sitting Room, Dining Room, Breakfast Room & Sun Room
• Four Bedrooms, Bathroom and En Suite Bathroom
• Connected Double Garage (with Annex Potential STP)