Searching for the quiet life, doctors Andrew and Dee Gallop stumbled upon Woolsthorpe House 12 years ago – a home that became their sanctuary.

It was the situation that initially attracted GPs Andrew and Dee Gallop to Woolsthorpe House. After all, how often do you get directions to someone’s home that begins “head up to the Castle, turn left and that will bring you into the village”?

The couple said: “We were living in Denton, a village just three miles away but wanted somewhere quieter – Woolsthorpe House became that haven.”

Andrew added: “It must have been spring or summer when we viewed, the blossom was out and it was just so peaceful. The house is just full of character and we have some lovely views, the bedroom we call the ‘castle view bedroom’ frames the castle beautifully.”

Grade II listed, the well-proportioned Georgian house is welcoming and has a lovely atmosphere. Dee said: “It is perfect for us and ideal for weekend visitors and for when children and grandchildren come to stay – the grandchildren love the fact that there are two staircases and can race around the house, and the lane is safe for them to run down.”

Since buying the house over a decade ago the couple have re-wired, fitted a new kitchen and AGA, enlarged the en suite bathroom and redecorated from top to bottom.

“The kitchen is the heart of the household and I just love having the Aga, I’ll certainly put one in my next house,” said Dee.

Another favourite room is the orangery where the couple love to sit and read, listen to music or just enjoy the tranquility as the evening sun sets.

Andrew has also packed his passion for books into his study where there is plenty of shelving and yet still room for a desk to look out over the garden. There’s also a door from here into the garden.

Both the dining room and drawing room have that lovely sense of Georgian elegance; the square rooms displaying a sense of proportion as well as some lovely individual features. Features of a different kind are the hallmarks of the sitting room where exposed beams, beautiful exposed ironstone and a solid fuel stove provide a warmth that entices you in. “We light a fire every evening in here in the winter – it’s just such a comfortable room.”

Various period features remain in the house, some fabulous fireplaces, working shutters, original sash windows, deep skirting boards and decorative coving. There are cellars under the Georgian part of the house and here there’s a barrel vaulted area, original brick and stone thralls and flagstone flooring.

Andrew said: “The original part of the house was built around 1750 with later additions dating to the 1800s. We don’t know much of the history of the house but we do know it was one of the first of the Belvoir estate houses to be sold, we think in the early 1900s, and in the ’40s it was used as a girls boarding school.

“We have a separate cottage, which we think our predecessors converted around 30 years ago from old farm buildings. The cottage isn’t listed and is ideal for renting out – we’ve let it on short term lets at a rental of £450 pcm, so it’s a nice additional income.”

The house’s garden is small and manageable, the couple say they’ve had some lovely family parties here, and there are nearby cricket and football pitches in the village for boisterous games.

Although in the very heart of the village, Belvoir Lane is tucked away; home to just six or seven houses with the lane simply continuing down to a stream.

Dee said: “We love to walk and there is a stile by the stream at the bottom of the lane that leads straight onto some lovely walks.”

Woolsthorpe by Belvoir, as the name suggests, sits alongside Belvoir Castle, a pretty village that, as Andrew says, “still has the smell of an estate village.

“We have a ringside seat for events up at the castle and enjoy firework displays… even a tiger moth rally.”

The village is surrounded by some fabulous open countryside, has a shop, post office, church, village hall and club, surgery and a pub, The Chequers which has just been awarded Lincolnshire dining pub of the Year. There is even a visiting butcher from Bottesford and a weekly veg van.

Primary schools may be found at Allington and Denton, a school bus runs to the Grammar schools at Grantham. Grantham is just a 10 minute drive away and from here train travel to London is just an hour and five minutes away.

This contrast of accessibility and tranquility is one the of reasons the couple love the location so much. As Dee says: “I work in Grantham, and after just a ten minute drive I’m in a country haven – it always feels so nice to come home.

“I don’t think we’ll find such a lovely home and location again but I’m retiring and we want to move south, closer to our children and grandchildren – it’s time for someone else to enjoy this lovely sanctuary.”

Interested?

Where: Woolsthorpe House, Belvoir Lane, Woolsthorpe By Belvoir, NG32 1NQ

Type: Four-bed Georgian residence

Guide price: £645,000

Details: Grade II Listed home plus two-bed cottage

Phone: Richard Watkinson and Partners, Bingham

on: 01949 836678