About this property
Key Features
- Five Bedrooms
- Five Reception Rooms
- Detached Annexe
- Stables
- 11.88 Acres
- 12,777 sq. ft. (including outbuildings)
- Single Garage, Workshop, Agricultural Barn
- Floodlit Tennis Court
- Heated Fresh Water Swimming Pool
Description
A stunning historic late 17th, early 18th Century Country House, set in approximately 11.8 acres within the parkland of Kimbolton Castle with far reaching panoramic views. Also included is a beautiful fresh water swimming pool, a full size floodlit tennis court, a lake and ponds and a detached three bedroom annexe.
History and Heritage
A beautiful former hunting lodge, originally dating back to Tudor times and positioned on top of a gentle hill overlooking Kimbolton Castle and its adjoining parkland. Surprisingly, the property is unlisted and by the late 18th Century, the Castle had been re-modelled, with the Duke of Manchester extending the lodge for his son. During the late 19th Century, Park Lodge was associated with various meetings of the then King Edward VII and his mistress, the renowned Lillie Langtry. Following that the 10th Duke of Manchester sold Kimbolton Castle to pay death duties in 1950, after 340 years of the family’s occupation. However, he retained Park Lodge as a summer home and the family crest can be seen on the elevations of the house.
Property Description
Park Lodge has been meticulously restored by the current owners with significant attention to detail both inside and outside of the property creating one of the finest homes the area has to offer. Largely of brick construction with windows set into mullioned surrounds under a pitched tile roof with tall chimneys, the property has accommodation arranged over three floors, extending to 8,849 sq. ft. including the annexe accommodation.
Park Lodge is situated at the end of a long, shared private driveway, and is approached via remote operated gates. The tree-lined driveway leads to the impressive pillared gated entrance, opening onto the gravel driveway of the property which has immaculate lawned areas surrounded by mature lime trees set on either side. It has approximately 11.8 acres of formal gardens and grounds which enjoy undisturbed views over the surrounding countryside. It is situated in a tranquil, rural location yet within easy reach of the amenities in Kimbolton.
Ground Floor
The house is entered by a beautiful mullioned arched doorway, that leads to an inner porch and the reception hall. Leading off the hall are doors to the library/drawing room, the dining room and the morning room. The dining room has full height, panelled walls that are believed to have been taken from Kimbolton Castle in the 17th Century, there is also a traditional fireplace, a rustic tiled floor and access to a “portcullis” style door, opening onto the garden. The library is dual aspect, overlooking the gardens and grounds, and has original bookshelves to either side of the window. An aperture at the end of the room leads to the sitting room which has authentic original wall panels. The morning room has structural plans to be re-designed and incorporated within the original kitchen.
The kitchen/breakfast room is full of character with a high ceiling, a traditional range of bespoke cabinets and drawers and an oil fired two oven Aga with two-door electric module. There is access to the boot room which has a cloakroom.
A secret door with imitation book shelving opens into an impressive games room, with space for a full-sized snooker table. It has exposed floorboards, panelled walls and a feature fireplace. The room benefits from dual-aspect windows enjoying views of the garden and swimming pool.
The bespoke orangery is accessed via an inner hallway, which has an inglenook fireplace with a log-burning stove and exposed original tiled floor. There is gothic style detailing to the windows of the orangery, a vaulted ceiling, and double doors which open onto the garden and grounds. All reception rooms, kitchen and orangery benefit from hidden air conditioning, as well as four upstairs bedrooms.
FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS
The original staircase provides access to the master bedroom, along with bedrooms two and three. There is a further set of stairs that lead up to bedroom five. The master bedroom suite benefits from dual aspect windows with stunning views over Kimbolton Castle, a feature fireplace and exposed floorboards. There is access to a separate dressing room which leads to a stylish en-suite bathroom which has a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and includes a double-ended ‘Tressi’ jacuzzi bath, a wash basin set into a vanity unit, a walk-in ‘Tressi’ shower and w/c.
Bedroom two enjoys views of the gardens and grounds with access to a dressing area with a Victorian-style wash basin. It also has a bathroom adjacent.
Bedroom five located on the upper floor is full of character and traditional features which include exposed brickwork, a high vaulted ceiling and exposed beams. There is also a dressing area enjoying elevated views of the gardens and grounds. It also has a stylish en-suite shower room.
Bedroom three overlooks the driveway and features an original fireplace and exposed beams, there is also access to an original en-suite bathroom.
There is a rear hallway which is panelled with a staircase accessing a railed balcony, a family bathroom and bedroom four which has a feature fireplace, exposed floorboards and dual aspect views over the gardens and grounds.
Gardens and Grounds
The property is surrounded by extensive landscaped lawned areas with inset ponds and a lake with countryside walks around. The paddocks and grounds are separated by a Ha Ha with the paddock area located at the front of the plot. There are over 150 LED lights around the property creating a stunning evening vista.
Swimming Pool
There is a tranquil, heated, naturally filtered swimming pool with two diving boards and it is approximately 10ft at its deepest. It is filtered by natural reeds and gravel and is set into a flagstone surround. The pool area itself has a pump house, which is concealed at the rear of the pool. Between the house and the annexe, there is a paved outdoor sitting area, enjoying poolside views.
Garages
The outbuildings are in an enclosed courtyard, there is a double garage entered by twin timber doors, a garden machinery store and a stable block of three loose boxes with a separate tack room and a hay store. There is an enclosed area with an oil storage tank and a rainwater harvesting tank which allows all lawns to be integrated with a golf course-style sprinkler system.
Tennis Court
A full-sized floodlit hard tennis court with tennis house featuring a sitting area with a fireplace and exposed bricks. The tennis court is enclosed by high mature hedgerow and fencing.
Lake
Within the gardens, there is a large lake with fountain and a woodland walk around, flanked by mature trees and outstanding open views.
Walled Garden
The beautiful walled garden has a central feature fountain which is surrounded by thriving ground and raised kitchen garden beds and gravelled walkways. There are defined borders around the outside and access to two garden stores both with fireplaces and a glass potting shed.
There is a separate gated driveway to the rear of the property which allows access to the walled garden and agricultural barn.
Grandmas Cottage
Park Lodge also has a detached fully restored and extended three bedroom self-contained annexe. It is accessed from the courtyard with a door opening into kitchen/breakfast room extending into the dining room at the rear, which is over 37 ft. in length.
It has an impressive high vaulted ceiling with built in surround sound and exposed oak beams. The kitchen is fitted with bespoke custom-built cabinets, also incorporating an island with granite work surfaces. Integrated Smeg appliances include an induction hob with a feature reclaimed barrel acting as an extractor and an electric double oven.
Beyond the kitchen area is the dining room with dual aspect windows and at the end of the room a full height window with a door that enjoys outstanding views of the gardens and grounds.
A custom built oak sliding door opens onto the sitting room which also benefits from having a full height window incorporating a glazed door which opens onto a private terraced area and garden. There is a separate utility room fitted with modern units and worksurfaces, space and plumbing for appliances, an oil fired boiler and a w/c.
A further full-height oak sliding door opens into a hallway that accesses the three double bedrooms, with a separate family bathroom and a shower room. Bedroom one has a high vaulted ceiling with exposed oak beams and a full-height glazed door with windows on either side opening onto the terrace area with stunning views of the pool. A door opens into the stylish en-suite shower room completed in a highly contemporary style with a walk-in shower and a feature unique to this property, a period-style bicycle incorporating a wash basin. There is also a high-level w/c. The main bathroom is fitted in a contemporary style white suite that includes a bath, walk-in shower, twin wash basins, and a w/c.
