Property description
AGENT COMMENT The Gate House affords the discerning purchaser the opportunity to secure a lovingly restored period home at the heart of Castle Donington. The predominant structure of the property was built in 1802 but the rear of the house is believed to be much older. The property remains an eye catching and strikingly handsome feature of Market Street and has been sympathetically refurbished by the current vendor to provide a blend pf period and contemporary elements. Hidden from view is the generous level of parking and the strikingly maintained garden. This home can only be truly appreciated by inspection.
VENDORS COMMENT Why we bought it?
We were looking for a large home that needed some work; we were up for a challenge basically from the start. We particularly loved Castle Donington as we had family there and knew the village quite well already. The position of the house was perfect, being right in the heart of the village. It was Georgian with lots of clues to even older heritage at the back. It was totally fascinating before we even considered the amount of work that needed to be done. It was rumoured that the foundations at the back of the house were possibly that of the gate house to the castle, wow! we thought. It was also called the Gatehouse, so that seemed logical but then we also found out that possibly a gate had been attached to the front of the house which was used to close off the village more than 100 years ago so that may have been the reason, we just don't know.
Renovations
Thankfully the features inside were mainly intact and hadn't been pulled apart by unsympathetic hands in the past. We were bowled over by the size, history and the position of it. We waited 18months to get it and it was worth the wait. It has been our biggest challenge in life to date to renovate this house but we now feel an incredible sense of achievement albeit exhausted by it. During the renovations I felt it an honour and a huge responsibility to do it sympathetically so I spent weeks and weeks endlessly researching Georgian architecture and the sources of inspiration for it. I learnt so much along the way. It's hard to explain how insightful it was, making links between nature, foreign culture and the social industrial links with architecture of the period. I had no idea the house would take me on this journey. The origins of design and colour scheme used in the house came from as close as a local theatre and then on to Italian cities, even as far as the Serengeti.
We knew we could do something special with the house especially with my husband's construction background and my art and science background. We did it all ourselves whilst both working full time, on top of studying for my Masters degree so needless to say we're overdue a rest now it's all done. Friends and family kept us going and encouraged us all the way for 6 years of backbreaking but rewarding work. It was hard but we have had a great life style living there also.
The Village
The community is very well established in the village and it has an incredible history. There's always an event on of some kind and they're so good at organising it; May day Medieval Market, The Fair and Christmas gatherings in the Market Place, just to mention a few. Even watching parades of soldiers, jazz bands and scouts walk by on Armistice Day leaves you with a lump in your throat, not to mention the displays on days in the religious calendar which always involves lots of school and church activities. You can witness them all from the windows of the house. Since living there I particularly like looking out for a bride on her wedding day since there are two churches in sight of the house. It doesn't happen often enough for me but to watch life go by is an endless fascination in itself, you never get bored of it.
What next
We are going to miss it terribly and have wondered if we're doing the right thing but we're getting older and we promised ourselves that when we completed the house we'll enjoy it for a short time then we'll have a year out and travel in Canada and see where that takes us. It might seem mad to some but we've worked very hard and need a rest before the achy bones won't let us do something like this. We've always been keen travellers and the children are now grown up so it's now or never. Whoever decides to live in this house I feel will be very blessed as we have been. It would be a very satisfying outcome for us to know a large family will enjoy their lives in this lovely home within this great community.
ACCOMMODATION GROUND FLOOR ENCLOSED PORCH Wit decorative tiling in part and parquet floor.
ENTRANCE HALL With stairs rising to the first floor, original Georgian handrail with barley twisted spindles. Central heating radiator, parquet floor and decorative coving to ceiling.
FAMILY ROOM 24' 7" x 10' 10" (7.49m x 3.3m) Wit period sash windows to the front elevation, Victorian radiator, decorative old schoold style radiator, feature fireplace with marble mantel and brick inserts with adjacent storage cupboards, built in storage cupboard housing the central heating boiler, further cupboard incorporating plumbing for washing machine, part exposed timber floor, picture rail and decorative coving.
FORMAL DINING ROOM 15' 1" x 10' 10" (4.6m x 3.3m) With period sash windows, feature stained glass window, central heating radiator, central feature fireplace with decorative tiled and cast iron insert, open hearth and marble mantel. Exposed timber floor and original cornice to ceiling.
IMPRESSIVE KITCHEN 13' 1" x 12' 6" (3.99m x 3.81m) With a range of fitted units at eye and base level providing storage and appliance space with Brazilian granite work surfaces over and custom made glass tiled surrounds. Inset circular sink and drainer with mixer tap over, 'Stoves' Range cooker with canopy extractor over, plate rack and larder unit, Ruabon Welsh clay floor with under floor heating, beamed ceiling, multi paned window to the side elevation, door to side elevation and stable style door to rear. Lobby with base cupboard, solid oak work surface over and wall mounted cupboards, access to the cellar leading off.
LARGE VAULTED MULTI ROOM CELLAR With power and light.
FIRST FLOOR LANDING With stairs rising to the second floor. Central heating radiator.
LIVING ROOM 13' 5" x 12' 10" (4.09m x 3.91m) With specialist ceiling and floor lighting, French polished pine floor, central heating radiator with cover, pebble effect gas fire and tv point for wall mounted set.
STUNNING BATHROOM Comprising a high quality contemporary suite including jacuzzi bath with waterfall style central tap and shower attachment, wall hung wash hand basin with walnut veneer base cupboard and vanity cupboard above, low flush w.c. PIR LED lighting to the skirting boards and LED lighting to the ceiling. Spira chrome central heating radiator.
BEDROOM ONE 16' 6" x 14' 1" (5.03m x 4.29m) With period sash windows, central heating radiator, feature fireplace withtimber mantel, hob grate and hearth tray. Original in built storage cupboards, low level drawers and shelving. Picture rail. Leading off...
EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM Including walk in cubicle housing the shower. Twin inset enamel sink units with mixer taps over, and vanity storage units beneath. Part tiling to main walls, tiled floor, central heating radiator.
BEDROOM TWO 15' 1" x 14' 5" (4.6m x 4.39m) With period sash window, decorative arched window, central heating radiator, original built in storage cupboard.
BEDROOM THREE 9' 10" x 9' 4" (3m x 2.84m) With period sash window. Central heating radiator.
SHOWER ROOM With a generous walk in cubicle with large body jet shower. Vanity wash hand basin with mixer taps over, base cupboards beneath. Tiled work surfaces and surrounds.
BEDROOM FOUR 13' x 10' 6" (3.96m x 3.2m) With period sash window enjoying decorative moulding to architraves. Central heating radiator with decorative cover, original cast iron fireplace with travertine mantel.
DRESSING ROOM 13' 5" x 10' 6" (4.09m x 3.2m) Including sash window with decorative moulding to architraves, central heating radiator, in built storage cupboard and concealed walk in wardrobe with shelving and hanging space.
OUTSIDE Side double gated access to a secure generous parking area with capacity for a number of vehicles. Adjacent to this a raised block paved patio. Gravelled seting area accessing through to the beautiful lower garden which enjoys lawn with stocked borders and a variety of fruit trees including apple, hazel and blueberry. Further vegetable and herb garden.
Property Info: