Wolds home steeped in history

Hall Farm offers a rare opportunity to live in a handsome period house on the Somersby Estate with expansive views over “Tennyson’s County”.

Hall Farm provides an idyllic setting in a peaceful hamlet in the south Lincolnshire Wolds. Located on the south eastern edge of Bag Enderby, it offers a rare opportunity to purchase a historic home dating back to at least the 16th century, when it was the seat of the then High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Andrew Gedney.

This handsome Grade II listed, detached three-bedroom house is set in the rolling hills of the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; the village between Spilsby and Horncastle is also home to St Margaret’s Church, where Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s father was vicar.

This is a rare opportunity to buy within a rural estate and benefits from the charm of estate life which is enhanced by a close community, many of whom have strong connections to the estate.

Hall Farm is likely to have become part of the Somersby Estate in the 17th century and may have been let out ever since then. 

The Maitland family have been custodians of the Somersby Estate since around 1949 when Sir John Maitland, MP for Horncastle, purchased the estate. The estate is now the home of his grandson, John Maitland and his wife Jane.

Ripe for renovation
Hall Farm, which oozes character and boasts stunning period features, has been lived in recently but would benefit from a full renovation with plenty of potential for the buyer to modernise and put their own stamp on the interior.

Enter through a magnificent period front door and you enter the imposing hallway with beautiful 17th-century dark wood carpeted staircase with barley sugar balusters and newels with pendant and finials.
There are substantial cellars with the local legend of a tunnel to Harrington Hall.

On the first floor, the galleried landing leads to the three bedrooms, which all feature exposed brick fireplaces and wood single glazed sash windows, with glorious views from each aspect.

According to George Harrison from Robert Bell & Co, Hall Farm requires renovation but it is habitable and can be lived in during the process.

“It is rare for properties within an estate to come to market, but with the recent retirement of the farm tenant it is surplus to requirements and would best suit renovation by someone wanting to live there.

“The views and setting are just some of the special features,” says George.

“You can’t help but want to look out over the views and soak in the character.

“The house has large rooms with a wonderful old staircase and wood panelling and large fireplaces offering much to work with when updating, so would suit families or anyone with the interest in renovating a historic property.”

Set in mature grounds of more than three acres, with partially walled garden and parkland trees, the house also has two attached outbuildings on the western side with oil fired boiler inside.

Further outbuildings are currently accessed from the farm yard but the purchaser will be required to alter the outbuildings for access from the gardens.

To the west and south of the garden is a paddock extending to about two acres, with mature parkland trees with the boundaries contained by mixed hedging and fencing.

The property is approached via a gravel driveway which continues to a turnaround space. The front garden has views across to the church and is laid to lawn with a gravel path leading back to the front boundary and small trees and hedging.

There is a door to a largely walled rear garden with south facing views over the old overgrown moat to the babbling brook and rolling hills beyond.

Farming family
The scenic surrounding area lies between Lincoln (30 miles), with direct trains to London, and the quiet beaches of the Lincolnshire coast. The area features thriving market towns with grammar schools, amenities and quiet villages offering great walks as well as riding and cycling routes.

Hall Farm has been home to the Brown family, who celebrated their 75 years as tenants of this family farm last year.

Anthony Brown retired having succeeded to the farm in the 1980s from his father, who had taken it over from his uncle in 1948.

“The character of the house with its large chimney stacks speaks volumes of its history,” says George.

“The ample mature grounds with old oaks, walled garden, views of the church and valley beyond give a calm and inspiring setting – perhaps the new owner will find their inner Tennyson!”

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