Property description

This most impressive listed former farmhouse resides in the desirable town of Godmanchester. Set on half an acre of land, Porch Farmhouse, built in the 16th century, takes its name from the charming wooden porch presented at the front of the house. This historic residence is a grade II listed building with its own listed barn and dovecote found at the top of the garden. Porch Farmhouse is formed of two storeys and was originally a jetty house. The front exterior is timber framed with the upper storey formerly projected, but was under-built with red brickwork in the Georgian era. The house is also characterised by timber framed sash windows dating back to the 19th century and a chapel door to the rear with a leaded light lobby which gives additional access to the parking area.

A large gravel drive sweeps around the back of property providing plenty of parking space, there are three garages all with power and one with water supply. As well as a classic wicket fence that leads to the front entrance of the garden, a cobbled pathway follows all the way around edge of the lawn leading back out to the driveway. The main highlights of this fabulous farmhouse are a spacious kitchen/ breakfast area and family room as well as a splendid sitting room and dining room that exude charm and elegance. An extensive master bedroom, family bathroom and four other unique guest rooms are found on the first floor, with a south facing garden and well-landscaped grounds. The grounds sit in excess of half an acre, and are mainly laid to lawn, with a range of small and large trees, plants and shrubbery.

Godmanchester is ideally located with easy access to the town of Huntingdon, also the A14 and A428 with direct routes to the city of Cambridge, the centre of which has recently been redeveloped to provide pedestrians excellent shopping facilities. For London commuters, the M11, A14 and A1 are all close by, as are the mainline stations of Cambridge, Huntingdon and St Neots – with regular services taking approximately an hour to London stations.

Porch: Added around 16^th century, the porch is of timber that sits on a red brick base supported by symmetrical turned balusters. There is a turned pendant feature at the apex and the base beams of the gable are carved with guilloche detail as well as the barge boards having beautifully carved semi-circular enrichments. The front door into the house is panelled and was added approximately the same date.

Chimney: One of the most striking features of the house is the 17^th century chimney stack, surmounted by freestanding shafts, and diagonally set in plan with decorative details.

Dovecote: A late Georgian style, free standing, listed pigeon house comes complete with 500 roosting nooks and potential for a variety of alternative uses subject to consents. 18^th century rendered built in stone this dovecote is built in vernacular style with a half hipped tiled roof design.

Location, location, location. Porch Farm House’s first-rate location is what attracted the current owners to this gorgeous home. It’s close to town, easy to get to Cambridge, within reach of London and a short walk to the river. ‘Where there’s a river, we’ll be’, comments the owner, and it’s easy to see why they have become so attached to this wonderful spot.

And what else do they love? Well the property itself is a real find. It was originally built back in the 1480’s and has been transformed over the years, the latest being a Georgian makeover. And today it has bright and spacious feel of a modern property. It also has a very unique thatched barn and a separate annexe.

When asked about a favourite room, the current owners had difficulty deciding on just one. ‘In winter, it has to be the living room with its cosy inglenook fireplace and in summer, the kitchen is just lovely’. Indeed, both have a very different feel and each are equally as pleasing. ‘And the barn is great; it’s even hosted weddings, parties, wine tasting, as well Church wine and cheese evenings’, the current owner adds. Stripped back to its bare form, the barn is as rustic as they come and you can even see the underside of the thatch in and amongst the rugged beams.

‘What’s really great about the house, is that you can sit in the garden and feel like you’re in a secluded countryside village, and then walk out of the front and realise you’re in the middle of a bustling town’. It’s true, the garden and surroundings do feel very rural. The current owners have created a wonderful vegetable patch, there’s a huge lawn, pretty flower beds and a dove house. ‘On a summer’s day with a glass of wine, it almost feels like you’re in the south of France’, the existing owner adds. Undeniably, the pyramid roof of the dove house does evoke the feeling of being in a land faraway.

When it comes to period features, Porch Farm House is in abundance, and the wooden beams really stand out. They’re in the walls, holding up the ceilings and above the door frames. Yet the use of light paint keeps the rooms feeling bright and up-to-date. In many ways, it actually has a rather neutral décor with the period features speaking for themselves. It’s a joy to see a period property so well preserved.

Godmanchester has a great community feel and the existing owners of Porch Farm House love to get involved in the events, like Picnic in the Park, a miniature festival that families flock to in the summer. It is full of period houses, has some lovely pubs and benefits from the expansive park.

Back door and rear lobby area:
Access to kitchen and driveway.

Kitchen/ Breakfast Area
A lovely open plan kitchen with an extension into a spacious breakfast area, the floor consists of terracotta stone tiles and a matching range of base and eye level units comprising of wooden and granite work tops. A Belfast sink inset with mixer tap and a fully functioning gas fired aga with AEG electric oven also. There are two windows facing the back of the house with views of the back garden and the dovecote. A patio door opens out onto a paved patio area adjacent to the barn. There are stairs to first floor landing as well under stairs storage that is used as a pantry. Door to:

Family Room
This room has been made into a cosy family area with windows to the front and back of the farm house, as well as having built in cupboard space and classic exposed wooden beams.

Hallway into:

Cloakroom
A small cloakroom with low level WC and stainless steel sink inset with mixer tap. There are a range of cupboards providing plenty of storage with white work tops and tiled surrounds, as well as plumbing for a washing machine and duct for a tumble dryer. A little internal window features also. Gas central heating and water boiler with programmer is adjacent.

Dining Room
A truly remarkable room, this dining room highlights all the historic features this property has to offer, with an early 20th century briquette fireplace, and red brick hearth built into an old Inglenook fireplace with a red tiled mantel piece. An original bread oven is situated to the side of the fireplace, as well as two wall lights and also another internal window.

Sitting Room
This extensive sitting room is what awaits as you enter through the oak panelled front door, there are windows to the front and rear of the property as well as an intriguing chapel door that provides access to the driveway. The main attribute to this room is a traditional inglenook fireplace with exposed brick work and a quarry tiled hearth also with a black iron hood and wrought iron grate with concealed lighting. There is a wealth of carved oak beams that characterise the ceiling as well as three further wall lights and many other decorative features.

Lobby
Back staircase with wine store under and access to the first floor secondary landing and door to:

Study
Another fascinating room with a feature black cast iron Victorian fireplace and pine surrounding a classic granite hearth. There plenty of room for storage as well as access to the metre cupboard.

First Floor Primary Landing
Two wall lights and access to:

Family Bathroom
A well-presented four-piece suite comprising of a delightful corner bath with mixer tap, two sinks inset with vanity units. Also with low level WC and walk in 'Jacuzzi' style shower cubicle with glass screen and tiled splashbacks. There is a frosted window to the rear, a heated towel rail and airing cupboard with storage.

Bedroom Five
A small bedroom, that has lots of potential that is currently used for sleepovers! There is a window to the front aspect.

Bedroom Two
Consisting of high vaulted ceilings and exposed wooden beams, this bedroom is generous in size and space with plenty of natural light extending throughout, there is a window front and to the rear aspect providing views of the garden and annex.

Bedroom Three
Another charming bedroom with a feature inglenook fireplace and exposed brick work. Sloping ceilings and with exposed beam work again, and two windows showing views of the front and back of the property. Door to back stairs.

Bedroom Four
Keeping in tone with the farm house's periodic features another Victorian cast iron fireplace is situated in the centre of this bedroom, with wooden floor boards a small window to the front aspect. There is a concealed storage space with curtain and two wall lights. Access to back stairs and access to through the lobby to the main landing.

Secondary Landing
Exposed brick work and large chimney stack with a window to the rear aspect and doors to dressing room.

Dressing Room
Plenty of storage space and spotlighting. Leading to:

Master Bedroom
A true asset to this property is the master bedroom, with high vaulted ceilings exposed wooden beams forming a beautiful arch way at the centre of the room. There is a definite sense of light and space throughout this room, with access to the loft through a wooden door above the en-suite.

En-suite
A three-piece suite includes a low level WC with shower over bath completed with mixer tap and tiled splash backs.

Back Garden
Surrounded by a wicket fence, access to the front entrance of the garden is gained by means of the large gravel driveway, where a small feature well with brick base stands. These well-landscaped historic grounds are mostly laid to lawn, with a charming cobbled pathway wrapping around the edge of the garden leading to a large stone water feature and the south-facing paved patio area. Beyond the garden lies the listed dovecote which resides on a gravelled area, a greenhouse, garden shed and a raised bed vegetable garden are also found as well a selection of fruit trees apple, pear, cherry and plum.

Annexe
Located towards the back of garden this lovely farmhouse also benefits from an annexe, a well-designed single storey accommodation that consists of:

Glazed door and lobby leading to:

Sitting Room
A decent sized living room with a pleasant dining area and kitchenette, there are classic white French doors that open out onto a patio. This room has a real holiday feel to it which makes the annexe such a great feature.

Shower Room
A lovely three-piece suite with shower, pedestal hand basin and WC.

Bedroom Six
Plenty of natural light and space can be enjoyed from this versatile bedroom, with doors to the patio area this room has potential for a variety of uses, this room radiates charm and character.