The Story
Waking up in the morning to views out across the Vale of Belvoir, towards the castle, Melissa and Steven Schofield-Linnell appreciate the fabulous location of their home every day.
After searching for a house in the heart of the countryside they were thrilled to discover The Barn, which was was overflowing with character and surrounded by nearby fields.
"I loved the fact it still felt like a barn," said Melissa. "It had a feeling of space, was open up to the roof and into the eaves, and had lots of beautiful wooden beams.
"Because it was also in such a great location, it was exactly what we wanted."
|
Beautiful Barn
The barn itself dates back to 1840 but the building was not converted until the end of the 20th century.
"We have carried out extensive improvements since moving in six years ago," she said. The kitchen was also completely refurbished.This now features hand-built, pipi oak cabinets and a tumbled slate-effect floor. A brick inglenook, with a wooden beam, has been added to house the range cooker and bring more country style to the space."We painted the walls in a country cream to bring out the warmth of the wood and brickwork, and put in handmade ledge and brace solid wood doors with Suffolk latches."
"The range does the hot water and heating too, and is just lovely," said Melissa.
"We spend a lot of time as a family in the kitchen, eating together and doing activities with the children."
|
All Seasons
The drawing room, with its wood-burner, is another welcoming family space, particularly in the winter when the fire is lit.
With French windows on three sides of the house leading straight out into the garden, The Barn is also glorious during the summer time.
"Upstairs is another space we use a great deal," Melissa continued."Here we opened up the top floor and installed a wooden staircase.This is now an area where the children like to play and we can also pursue our hobbies.
Barn "I loved the fact it still felt like a barn." "It had a feeling of space, was open up to the roof and into the eaves, and had lots of beautiful wooden beams."
"It is great because we can be up there doing our own things yet we are all together as well."
But she added:"If someone else wanted to make this area into another bedroom and
bathroom because that suited them better then that would be easy to do."
|
Magnificent Views
Meanwhile, the Schofield-Linnell boys share a large bedroom, which has plenty of space for their toys, and a fourth bedroom is used as a study.
In the master bedroom, Melissa and Steven wake up every morning to magnificent views.
"It is beautiful to be able to see the countryside and to listen to all the birds," she said.
The country lifestyle has been all the family hoped it would be. With gardens on all sides of the house, there is plenty of space for both playing and socialising.
"The house is great for entertaining. We have had some big parties here over the years, including two christening parties with about 40 or 50 people," she said.
|
Country Living
The Barn has been perfect for the family, who are sad at having to move for reasons of work.
"The house has been ideal for us and would be great for another family or couple," said Melissa.
"With all the outside space there is an established vegetable garden and a separate area for chickens supplying much fresh food and making the most of the country lifestyle.
And she added: "I really don't think we will ever find anywhere like this again that has so much character, and is set in such beautiful
(ends)
|
Setting the Scene
From the road you enter through an undercroft to a gravelled parking area where
to the left you find the garage and workshop with power, light and water.The gardens
surround the home and are divided into four areas with a cottage style garden to the front leading to a courtyard garden to the side. To the rear of the barn there is a vegetable garden with cedar greenhouse and raised beds that sweep around to a further formal garden with water feature and patio.
"The large front garden has crazy paving and cottage style borders and at the back we
have a very pretty area with raised beds."
With an ornamental garden, featuring box hedges, as well as a children's play garden,
there is always somewhere to enjoy when the weather is fine.
"There are so many lovely places to explore around here as well," she added."We often walk to an old quarry that has been restored as a lake and has swans and geese on it.
"We feel very much in the countryside yet can also easily reach places like Grantham
and Newark, so it's perfect."
|
SPACE
"It had a feeling of space, was open up to the roof and into the eaves, and had lots of beautiful wooden beams."
|
WARMTH
"We painted the walls in a country cream to bring out the warmth of the wood and brickwork, and put in solid wood doors with Suffolk latches."
|
PARTIES
"The house is great for entertaining. We have had some big parties here over the years."
|
FAMILY HOME
"The house has been ideal for us and would be great for another family or couple."
|