Not only is The Coach House steeped in history, it’s surrounded by it and the glorious countryside of Gate Burton Estate.
A grade two listed property, this former chauffeur’s quarters has undergone quite a transformation over the years at the hands of the current owners. Many original features, the French stove in the vast living area for example, remain while more modern developments, such as the underfloor heating, have been added.
For the current owners it was love at first sight when they laid eyes on the property nearly 30 years ago. And while they are now looking to downsize, there is plenty here to attract new buyers in their droves.
“One of the lovely things about it, is the position. We’re part of the estate here at Gate Burton, and as a result we’re entirely surrounded by countryside. It’s like a beautiful little island,” said the current owners.
And beautiful it is. From the superbly preserved exterior, with its landscaped but not precious gardens, to the lofty and light living area, which stretches to some 40ft x 30ft, no detail has been left to chance here.
“When we moved in, the large living room was a huge garage and the cosier lounge was the pump room. Because of its history, the house is utterly unique, we haven’t seen another like it yet,” the owners continued.
“The big living space is wonderful for entertaining, we’ve had some cracking parties over the years. Outside too, the terraces are lovely. There are four in total, one of which has access to the property’s second kitchen, making entertaining outside so easy.”
Further accommodation on the ground floor comprises sitting room, kitchen/diner and two large bedrooms, both with en suite shower rooms as well as a study on the gallery/mezzanine level. Upstairs there are three further bedrooms, one with an en suite bathroom and dressing room, and a family bathroom.
“The accommodation is very, very flexible. It’s definitely a family home, for people who have a family or are looking to start one. It’s been a fantastic family home for us,” added the owners. “It’s a huge rambling home, one that’s hard to define, ever older couples who love the countryside and their space would love it here. With the surrounding countryside, children can just go out the front door and be completely safe, as parents you don’t have to worry.”
Underfloor heating has been installed to ensure even the biggest of rooms is cosy, although buyers might find they don’t even need to switch it on.
“With the large burner in the spacious living area we find we don’t even need to run the underfloor heating,” explained the current owners. “The burner is original, an old French stove and it’s very efficient.”
Outside, the gardens have been thoughtfully landscaped and the terraces – all four of them – offer the perfect way to enjoy the sun all day.
There’s plenty of private parking as well as space on the gravelled approach for least 12 cars which can comfortably wait for their owners to return.
Being surrounded by countryside, in this case, does not mean being secluded.
A lovely local community exists in the estate with two other families and a couple living at Gate Burton.
Location: The Coach House is situated in the grounds of Gate Burton Hall, a landed country estate, and is approached through beautiful parkland. Gate Burton itself is a small village close to Gainsborough. The city of Lincoln is approximately 12 miles away, while Newark is approximately 19 miles with its fast rail link to London Kings Cross and access to the A1.
The Church: Rebuilt in 1865, St Helen’s stands in the beautiful parkland surrounding the dwellings at Gate Burton. The Sandars family added many features including an organ gallery made from oak grown on the estate. The congregation is small, made up of the few residents of the Estate, and its surrounding villages, but the atmosphere is very special, especially on occasions such as Christmas Eve when the church is candlelit.
A brief history of the Hall and Grounds: In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Lordship of Gate Burton formed part of the Knaith estate of the Lords Willoughby of Parham, English landowners and politicians. In 1739, the estate was sold to the Hutton family. The original part of the hall was built from mellowed yellow brick by William Hutton between 1774 and 1780 and his family continued to live there until 1908 when it was bought by Mr J D Sandars, a wealthy Gainsborough Maltster (later to become Colonel J D Sandars). In 1913/14 the house was substantially enlarged including the addition of the north front by Detmar Blow, the famous architect and disciple of John Ruskin. At the same time, the outlying buildings of the hall, including the Coach House, were built to a high standard at the insistence of Mr Sandars.
The Coach House, Gainsborough Road, Gate Burton, Lincoln, DN21 5BA
£575,000
Special features: Five bedrooms three with en suite facilities, grade two listed former coach house, spectacular double height living space 40ft x 32ft, mezzanine floor, gardens with private terraces, ample parking, fantastic traffic links, stable block with three stables
EPC rating: EPC exempt
Schools nearby: Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Marton Primary School, Sturton by Stow Primary School
Selling agent: Savills, Olympic House, Doddington Road, Lincoln, LN6 3SE. Call 01522 508908.
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