Georgian era charm meets modern living

T HERE are certain houses that just have that instant appeal and Croft House is one of them. With Georgian origins, the proportions of the house are perfect for a family and, having been completely refurbished by the current owners, this period detached family home combines the best aspects of modern and bygone eras

Retained original features include heavily-beamed ceilings and original fireplaces.

During the house's renovation, new gas central heating has been installed, along with a new boiler.

The work carried out by the owners really is extensive. They have completely replaced the roof, refitted the kitchen and fitted three new bathrooms. The house has also been fully re-plastered, rewired and re-plumbed and has a damp-proof course with 30-year guarantee by Peter Cox.

In addition, the former coach house has been converted into a detached double garage with a mezzanine storage gallery.

The owners have added an electric gated approach to make the gardens secure for families with small children and pets.

As a result of all the work, the property now combines the charm and character of the period in which it was built with a host of modern fittings, creating a lovely five-bedroom home with four reception rooms.

Agents Bentons say: "The stylish accommodation is extremely flexible and ideal for family living as well as for entertaining.

"All of the reception rooms are accessed from an impressive dining room which was previously a lounge."

The bespoke kitchen remains in keeping with the house while also appealing to the modern buyer.

Cream painted units and granite worktops stand alongside a corner dresser unit with cookery bookcase, display shelves, spice drawers and glass-fronted china cabinets. Integrated appliances include a John Lewis stainless steel electric fan oven, a four-ring gas hob with extractor and a Bosch dishwasher.

A feature black two-oven gas Aga is available by separate negotiation.

There is a large laundry room fitted with more units and a large larder storage cupboard. Here, there is an additional sink and plumbing for a washing machine, with access to a cloakroom/WC as well as a stable door leading outside.

Accommodation includes a reception area with beamed ceiling and large larder and there's a dining room with solid pine internal latch doors set within Gothic effect frames. This room also has a central Minster stone fireplace, open grate, bookcase and beamed ceiling.

In the lounge, there is a walk-in bay brick fireplace with open grate and beamed ceiling.

Each of the reception rooms has individual features. For instance, the study/playroom has French doors on to the patio and gardens and there is a feature original cast iron range, fitted bookshelves and high beamed ceiling.

A distinctive original brick oven is the focal point of the family room, along with a recessed log store, all set behind a beamed inglenook fireplace. Again, there is a high beamed ceiling.

Upstairs, you'll find the bedrooms – three with beamed ceilings – and three bathrooms.

The principal bedroom suite includes a bedroom, dressing room/study and en suite shower room.

Bentons say: "This is a lovely bedroom with a period cast iron fireplace and good-sized dressing room with two double wardrobes and views over the garden. It presently doubles as a private study but has previously been a nursery."

The en suite shower room has been refitted and now includes a double-sized shower cubicle, pedestal wash basin and WC.

There is tiled flooring, a chrome ladder-style towel rail and a vanity mirror.

Bedrooms two and three overlook the garden and fields and bedroom three has a period cast iron and tiled fireplace.

Finally, there's the family bathroom and separate house shower room.

Croft House stands on the very edge of Long Clawson village, within half an acre of south-facing gardens. It has some outstanding open views over the Vale of Belvoir.

The agents say: "The gardens are a particular feature of the property, stretching towards open fields and having delightful views over typically English countryside towards the old windmill.

"The large gardens are laid to lawn and have deep and varied evergreen and colourful borders. There is a large pebbled entertaining patio area, vegetable, soft fruit and herb gardens, large timber shed, cobbled forecourt and various specimen trees – all with a private south-facing aspect."

Long Clawson offers a good range of facilities, including a primary school, doctors' surgery, butcher's, bakery, shops, church and pub. School buses run from the village to the Endowed Schools at Loughborough and Ratcliffe College and the village is within the catchment area of Belvoir High School, at Bottesford.

In addition, the village is in easy commuting distance of Nottingham, Leicester, Loughborough and Melton Mowbray.