Idyllic country house with river views

Manor House is a superb Grade II listed family home set in a peaceful rural location, overlooking unspoilt countryside and the River Witham.

Located in a wonderful rural setting near Grantham, Manor House in North Witham is a superb six bedroom detached home which has been lovingly cared for by its current owners, who have maintained links with its history.

With some of the original parts believed to date back to medieval times and extended in the 18th and 19th centuries, the house is full of charm and character, exuding an aura of England in times gone by.

This outstanding property – which also boasts a listed dovecote, garaging and range of barns and outbuildings ideal for further development – has been home to Ray and Jodie, who have lived here with their three children and two Norwich terriers since 2017.

“When we decided to relocate to Lincolnshire, we were unfamiliar with this part of England so had to rely on recommendation,” explains Ray. “A good friend of ours drew a triangle on the map joining Grantham, Stamford and Oakham saying ‘you’ll always be alright if you live within this’. On our recce visits we drove around Lincolnshire and stopped at many different towns, pubs and farms – there was something quite unique about the county, an aura that darted us back to those wonderful childhood days.

“Taken by the beautiful scenery, the noticeably less busy road network, impressed by the standard of superb schools in the immediate vicinity, together with the accessibility provided by the mainline train network, we moved lock, stock and barrel to Lincolnshire.

“As we walked through the barn and the overall setting opened up before us, we were taken aback by the beauty of this house, its setting and surroundings. It really was an absolute joy.

“We did have to take a very deep breath at the state of the garden, which was neglected and way overgrown – and it clearly required a lot of work and effort to bring it back to its current state. However, it was our youngest daughter who described it as ‘a fairy garden’ and that was the catalyst!”

Stylish interiors
As you would expect with a house of much character, Manor House has been decorated and furnished in a sympathetic manner, which reflects its history and surroundings.

On entering the house via the hallway, stairs rise to the first-floor landing, while downstairs doors lead to the magnificent drawing room which boasts an impressive fireplace, high ceilings, and far-reaching views over the south gardens via full-height tall windows.

The adjacent snug enjoys double aspect views and a feature fireplace, while the formal dining room is infused with character.

Also on the ground floor is a study and the kitchen/breakfast room with a range of quality units with a central island complemented by solid natural surfaces, and is further enhanced by a cloakroom, utility room, boot room, and an arched cellar.

The first-floor accommodation features a principal suite with an en suite shower room, while bedroom two enjoys its own shower facilities, with the three further bedrooms on the first floor sharing the family bathroom.

A staircase leads to the second-floor landing, where a versatile sixth bedroom can be found along with a walk-in loft area boasting a full-height beamed ceiling.

“The Manor House is just the right size for our family and is perfectly located for easy school access. It is not overwhelming in terms of space, but yet is spacious enough to comfortably accommodate guests and friends. 

“One of our favourite places in the house is the drawing room – in the summer it is full of light, providing views over the wonderful gardens. In the winter, the open fireplace makes this the room where everyone gravitates towards – providing much warmth and meaningful family time. We also love the light flowing through the south facing aspects and onto the reception rooms and bedrooms – some of which are dual aspect – and the dining room is perfect for family gatherings, particularly over the holiday periods.”

Glorious gardens
“This house enjoys a unique tranquillity that is only disturbed by the many birds chirping in the trees. It also has a wonderful garden with lots of indigenous plants and trees, including sloe, damson and quince. 

“This is not a property that comes to the market often. The gardens were actually designed by the previous owner, who lived in the Manor House from the mid-1960s until her death. We were lucky to have her detailed diaries which remained in the house and it is clear that she was a dedicated environmentalist who loved her house and the gardens.  She cared for them and we picked up the tag to continue her work.”

“This is not a property for everyone. It is only the second time on the market in 60 years and it really is a house that you fall in love with. We believe that like it did for us, it would provide a wonderful place for a young family to grow up in within a private, safe and tranquil setting and surroundings that also provide the space to allow for ample opportunity for their friends to come over.”

Village setting
North Witham is located within easy reach of the market towns Grantham (10 miles), Oakham (11 miles), Stamford (12 miles), Melton Mowbray and Bourne (both around 14 miles) where there are excellent schools, shopping, restaurants and amenities. Trains from Grantham to London King’s Cross take around one hour, making this an excellent location to commute from.

The couple say they will miss not only living in this remarkable house, but its location too.
“The benefit of also being so close to a broad selection of superb schools makes this the ideal family home for us.

“North Witham is a small and quiet Lincolnshire village where everybody embraces the very deep sense of privacy that the village allows. Yet, for those who wish to participate, there is a village hall and a neighbourhood newsletter that outline a series of local events.

“Living in the Manor House will always remain etched in our memory. Seeing our children grow in these surroundings and just enjoying the simple things such as barbecues in the garden, the privacy, tending the garden, the beautiful views from all the south facing rooms, the warmth during the cold winters provided by the open fireplace, the tranquillity and aura.

“We will most certainly leave this house with much regret and also in the full knowledge that in the future we will experience a deep sense of nostalgia. However, we also need to be realistic in understanding that as our children move on to their own individual voyages of discovery, and as we grow older, we need to consider our own future needs and requirements.

“We love Lincolnshire and its immediate surroundings and we do not plan to move far away – we shall, however, be seeking a smaller property more suitable to our age group.”

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