Norfolk Road, Turvey, Bedfordshire, MK43

EXTENDED EDWARDIAN GEM, WITH GREAT GARDEN – PEACEFUL VILLAGE SPOT 15 MINUTES FROM BEDFORD RAILWAY STATION

An unlisted, beautiful, detached and extended, 4-double bedroom, wisteria-clad home, with Arts & Crafts influences, in a quiet spot of the historic, North Bedfordshire riverside village of Turvey – complete with an integral garage, gravelled parking with EV charging pod and a remarkably private garden. A super, handleless kitchen, housing high-end appliances and with bifold doors to the terrace, combines happily with wonderful original detail throughout, including gorgeous fireplaces, floors, doors and staircase. Towards the end of a quiet no-through street that has a hidden hedgerow path to field walks as far as the eye can see, and with pubs and shops in the village, Highfield must be many a family’s dream home.

Turvey has long been highly thought of for its historic High Street, but to have all the amenities – not one but two pubs and shops, post office, butcher’s and school, to name a few – and to be tucked away from the main road, is quite something. Not to mention being just a short bus journey from the county town of Bedford’s railway station, with its fast trains to London in 40 minutes, and the world-renowned Harpur Trust private schools, as well as to the catchment secondary school in nearby Sharnbrook, recently rated by Ofsted ‘Good’, with ‘Outstanding’ 6th Form provision.

The lovely little lower school in the village has been similarly praised by Ofsted, as a “happy community” where teachers have “high expectations” for behaviour, development and learning – and it’s just 350 yards from your new home. The Grade I-listed Church of All Saints is also at the heart of this friendly community, unusually with Catholic masses held there as well as at the Abbey.

Wander across the no-through road with your dog and a choice of wonderful field walks start a few paces away from Highfield. Another cut-through takes you to the playing fields, tennis courts and play park.

Moreover, less than four miles away is the market town of Olney, with its supermarkets, independent shops and superb choice of eateries. A beautiful family home, ready to move into, in a gloriously peaceful spot, with gorgeous countryside and every amenity on the doorstep, seems too good to be true. Yet Highfield is that home.

MORE ABOUT THE PROPERTY 

A quick glance past the fabulous cinnamon rose in the front garden at the beautiful red brick under the slate roof, the stone bays with their sash windows, and the restored porch - not to mention the Arts & Crafts vernacular half-timbering and finial - is enough to make you fall in love with Highfield.

Step into the entrance hall, with its beautiful, chunky staircase, natural light dancing onto the lovely, hexagonal-tiled floor through gorgeous stained glass – echoed in a panel commissioned between the kitchen and dining room - and there can be no doubt. This is a house, with its tall, corniced ceilings and picture rails, that has been much loved and cared for; immaculately decorated in Farrow & Ball, its heritage is preserved while still being every inch a modern family home.

Cook with high-end Siemens appliances housed in contemporary, quartz-topped, contrasting, handleless furniture. Sit chatting at the island or over coffee on the sofa. Fold open tall, glazed doors in summertime to eat al fresco on the slate terrace. Yet Highfield is cosy in winter, too. Underfloor heating beneath the porcelain wood planks in the hub of the home runs through to the boot room – your pets will love it. Elsewhere, you have beautiful, traditional-style radiators. Then there are the fireplaces.

Slump on the sofa in the beautiful, bay-windowed sitting room, with its original wood floor and logs ablaze in one of many wonderful Edwardian fireplaces. Entertain friends to dinner in front of another, in a dining room - complete with antique mirror - that can be thrown open to the kitchen for your housewarming. While the snug - with one of several original built-in cupboards throughout the house - is a peaceful place to escape to with the latest bestseller, it could also come in handy as a downstairs bedroom – complete with adjoining shower room - if you ever need it.

Of the four lovely bedrooms upstairs, your only difficulty is deciding which will be yours: the beautiful, bay-windowed bedroom next to the bathroom – complete with a slipper bath - or the suite at the back, with its pretty, tiled fireplace in its dressing room and a window seat in its bedroom from which to watch the wildlife in the garden.

A gorgeous private garden designed for nature and family alike. Children can build their dens in the little copse at the bottom. Bees buzz amongst the sweet-scented roses, while blackbirds splash in the old stone troughs. Relax around the lawn table with a glass of rosé, shaded from the summer’s sun by prolific fruit trees, and toast your good fortune.