Aylesbury Road, Wing

Happy occasions with family members gathered round the kitchen table and children playing hide and seek out in the beautiful grounds. The owner of the Hovel looks back over the past 34 years and has nothing but fond memories of his time here. Converted from a collection of Victorian barns and other character-laden outbuildings near Wing, the property encompasses a total of six bedrooms and four bathrooms across its main accommodation and a separate, self-contained annexe. It was the current owner himself who oversaw the conversion work over three decades ago, having been drawn to both the beautiful location and the incredible opportunity. “It was a redundant set of barns that were suitable for conversion,” he recalls. “I had been a builder all my life and so we decided to carry out the conversions ourselves.”

ROYAL CONNECTIONS

Today, the Hovel still enjoys the sense of space, privacy, tranquillity and country living that it presented when he was first attracted to it. As well as its charming courtyard garden and a side garden, it also benefits from a paddock of approximately one acre in size. “The buildings themselves are believed to date to around 1840,” he says. “It was originally made up of a stud farm and other buildings. It is said that some of the Queen Mother’s horses resided here.” The conversion work was carried out with skill and the interior of the property was finished to a high specification and with an eye for design. “We chose to decorate it in a neutral country style and have done our best to keep it up to date and well maintained from then until now,” he adds.

WINTER WARMING

Entered via a central reception hall, where there is a downstairs cloakroom, the main section of the property largely has bedrooms and bathrooms to the front and living space to the rear. It is mostly arranged over the ground floor, with a staircase from the hall leading up to very generous loft space that could have a variety of uses. The capacious kitchen breakfast room can be accessed from the hall, but also adjoins the spacious dining room. The kitchen features a peninsula with a breakfast bar and range-style oven. There is room for a large table and a wood burner, which creates a cosy ambience in the autumn and winter months. “This is one of my favourite places to spend time.” He agrees. “A farmhouse kitchen is usually central to any good home.”

ALL SEASONS

The adjoining dining room, with its very long table, is perfect for formal dinner parties and celebratory meals. This also has French windows to the garden, making it a superb indoor-outdoor space in the finer months. Next to this – and with an internal window that brings an abundance of character – is the gorgeous sitting room. Here, another wood burner sits within an elegant fireplace and there is an additional set of doors giving onto the garden. “This is a lovely property, with ample space for entertaining,” he observes. “We often have the extended family with us here around Christmas and birthdays etc.”

GREAT VERSATILITY

Within the main section of the Hovel, there are four bedrooms in total. One of these has an en suite shower room and there is a family bathroom and a family shower room. One wing of the house features its own kitchen and sitting room – and, with two bedrooms and a bathroom here too, this could be ideal as self-contained accommodation for a grown-up child or older relative. Another annexe has been created within a completely separate building. This encompasses two good-sized bedrooms, one of which has an en suite shower room, as well as a family bathroom, a utility room and a large, open-plan kitchen, dining and living space. Again, this could suit a multi-generational family or could be ideal for a new owner seeking to let accommodation to paying guests.

A PERFECT BALANCE

The location of the Hovel, which offers a good balance of country living and convenience, has also suited the current owner over the decades. “There are two medium-sized towns within a short distance and many local villages which have always provided ample resources in terms of schools, shops, pubs, entertainment and amenities,” he says. “We have also enjoyed the surrounding countryside, the small community, the space and the quiet.” They have enjoyed getting out and about in the area, visiting places such as Ascott House, Ivinghoe Beacon, the Chilterns and the Ashridge Estate. “This has been an ideal family home for us – we have raised all of our children here very happily and comfortably. I will miss the privacy, the natural surroundings and the community when I leave.”

Disclaimer

Chewton Rose Estate Agents is the seller's agent for this property. Your conveyancer is legally responsible for ensuring any purchase agreement fully protects your position. We make detailed enquiries of the seller to ensure the information provided is as accurate as possible. Please inform us if you become aware of any information being inaccurate.