4 bedroom detached house for sale

Set within the highly regarded village of Ickwell, Claire House is an exceptionally well-presented and beautifully appointed home, combining a contemporary specification with an established and wonderfully peaceful village setting. Presented in excellent condition throughout and ready to move straight into, the property has been thoughtfully designed to create a home that is both stylish and highly practical, with a considered attention to detail evident throughout.

The accommodation extends to approximately 2,034 sq ft, complemented by a substantial 355 sq ft garage, and offers an impressive degree of flexibility for modern family living.

At the heart of the home is the superb open-plan kitchen and living space, undoubtedly one of its most impressive features. Designed to maximise both natural light and the connection with the garden, the room features a large lantern rooflight which draws daylight deep into the space, while bi-fold doors open directly onto the garden. The result is a wonderfully bright and sociable environment, equally suited to relaxed family life, entertaining or simply enjoying the changing seasons from the comfort of home. The beautifully appointed kitchen is complemented by a useful utility room and separate pantry, providing excellent practicality alongside the impressive principal living space.

The ground floor also provides a welcoming and spacious entrance hall, together with a particularly bright principal bedroom featuring a beautiful bay window, built-in wardrobes and a well-appointed en suite. A second spacious ground floor bedroom is served by the family bathroom and offers excellent versatility; equally suitable as a bedroom, this could readily be utilised as a second reception room, snug, playroom or home office depending on individual requirements.

Air conditioning adds an additional level of comfort, particularly during the warmer months, while the quality of the specification throughout gives the property a distinctly contemporary and refined feel.

The first floor provides a further bedroom and beautifully appointed bathroom, alongside a particularly versatile fourth bedroom, studio or home office. This impressive space benefits from its own private balcony, overlooking the garden and mature trees beyond. Elevated above the gardens, it provides an enviable spot in which to work, unwind or enjoy some quiet time, with the leafy outlook adding to the sense of privacy.

Outside, the gardens extend to approximately 0.21 acres and provide a wonderfully established setting for the house. Mature trees beyond the rear boundary create a green and tranquil backdrop, enhancing both the privacy and sense of space.

The relationship between the principal living accommodation and garden is particularly successful, with the bi-fold doors opening directly from the kitchen and living space to create a natural extension of the entertaining area during the warmer months. The first-floor balcony provides a further opportunity to enjoy the outlook and offers a peaceful vantage point across the gardens and surrounding greenery.

Ickwell is a particularly attractive and sought-after village, centred around its picturesque village green and historic cricket square. The village has retained a strong sense of community and identity, with traditional events and gatherings taking place throughout the year, while the surrounding countryside provides an abundance of opportunities for walking and enjoying the outdoors. The Crown is within strolling distance, offering a welcoming country pub for relaxed drinks and dining, while the nearby villages provide further amenities and places to explore.

Despite its peaceful rural setting, Ickwell is conveniently positioned for access to Sandy and Biggleswade, with both offering railway stations and excellent connections towards London and further afield.

Claire House presents an appealing combination of contemporary quality, versatility and village living. With its exceptional open-plan kitchen and living space, excellent natural light, generous and adaptable accommodation, substantial garage and beautifully established gardens, it is a home that has been designed around the way modern life is lived. Immaculately presented and requiring little, if any, further work, it offers the opportunity to simply move in, settle and enjoy everything this beautiful village setting has to offer.

Seller Insight
"We originally bought the property as a 1950s bungalow and undertook a complete down-to-the-studs renovation and extension seven years ago," say the owners. "Our goal was a larger, modern home that still felt warm and full of character, using timeless materials like oak."

Set in the pretty village of Ickwell, near Biggleswade, the detached chalet bungalow occupies a good-sized plot with front and rear gardens. “It’s set back from the road, with a drive to the front and side which provides parking for five or six cars,” they add. “The village is convenient for shops and services, but lovely and quiet.”

The refurbishment has created a flexible home over two floors, with two bedrooms on the ground floor and one or two further bedrooms upstairs, depending on how the space is used. “One of the rooms upstairs is currently used as an office, but it could be a bedroom. It comes with a wonderful, sheltered balcony, the perfect place to sit and enjoy a morning coffee.” Another standout room is the main ground-floor bedroom, with a bay window overlooking the garden. “It’s a spacious bedroom with great views, a favourite place to enjoy the sunset over Ickwell Bury House.” The layout also works well for multi-generational living, with the option for teenagers to have one floor and adults the other.

At the heart of the house is a large open-plan kitchen and dining area, complete with a roof lantern, underfloor heating, air conditioning and generous bi-fold doors opening onto a patio. “The huge kitchen makes it a very good place for family and friends to gather, and it connects brilliantly with the garden for an indoor-outdoor living experience. It’s great to cosy up here by the log burner in the winter months.” Outside, the garden provides plenty of space to relax. “It’s nicely laid out, with scope for those keen to garden.”

The owners were drawn to Ickwell by its rural setting and strong community. “The village green, cricket club and local events offer plenty of connection without feeling intrusive. A primary school, church and pub in the adjoining village of Northill are within walking distance, while Shuttleworth air shows can be enjoyed from the garden, or the village green.” They add, “The location is so perfect. It’s a very lovely village that would be hard to leave.”

Village Information
Ickwell is a quintessential English village, renowned for its beautiful village green, strong sense of community and peaceful rural setting. This property is ideally positioned within strolling distance of the picturesque Ickwell Green and its historic cricket square, offering a wonderful opportunity to enjoy village life at its very best.

Cricket has been played on Ickwell Green for more than 120 years, with Ickwell Green Cricket Club being one of the oldest cricket clubs in Bedfordshire. The iconic cricket square is framed by mature trees, including the famous oak tree at its centre, traditionally worth six runs if struck by the ball.
The village is also home to the much-loved Crown Inn, within easy walking distance of the property, where you can enjoy a relaxed drink or good food in a welcoming country pub setting. The cricket pavilion also provides a wonderful focal point for the local community, particularly during the cricket season.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, Ickwell is surrounded by beautiful countryside, with an abundance of footpaths and peaceful country walks to explore. There are also a number of highly regarded pubs and villages nearby, providing plenty of opportunities for leisurely lunches, country walks and days out.

Families are particularly well served, with Northill Church of England Primary School less than a mile away and rated Good by Ofsted. With its quiet lanes, open countryside and close-knit community, Ickwell offers an idyllic setting in which to raise a family, enjoy a slower pace of life or simply escape the bustle of everyday living.

The village is steeped in history, perhaps most famously celebrated through the Ickwell May Day Festival. Dating back to 1565, the annual celebration takes place on Ickwell Green on 1 May, marking the arrival of spring with traditional festivities, dancing and the raising of the maypole. This longstanding tradition remains an important part of the village calendar and is testament to the community spirit that makes Ickwell such a special place to live.

Despite its tranquil rural character, Ickwell is conveniently positioned for access to the surrounding towns and cities, including Sandy, Bedford and Biggleswade, while excellent road and rail links provide connections further afield.

In short, Ickwell offers the quintessential English village lifestyle: beautiful countryside, historic traditions, a thriving community and everyday amenities all within easy reach.


Agents Notes
Tenure: Freehold
Year Built: 1950s and Completely Renovated in 2019
EPC: D
Local Authority: Central Bedfordshire
Council Tax Band: F

Important information for potential purchasers
We endeavour to make our particulars accurate and reliable, however, they do not constitute or form part of an offer or any contract and none is to be relied upon as statements of representation or fact. The services, systems and appliances listed in this specification have not been tested by us and no guarantee as to their operating ability or efficiency is given. All photographs and measurements have been taken as a guide only and are not precise. Floor plans where included are not to scale and accuracy is not guaranteed. If you require clarification or further information on any points, please contact us, especially if you are travelling some distance to view. Fixtures and fittings other than those mentioned are to be agreed with the seller.

Buyers information

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