Bedford, Bedfordshire

8 LYDDS HILL

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity awaits at Caymans Cottage, a stunning and unique sixbedroom detached home located on Lydds Hill, in the charming village of Ridgmont, Bedfordshire. This rare gem of a property is situated on a virtually traffic-free lane and boasts a delightful 0.30 acre garden that is full of interest and takes advantage of the impressive views and fine sunsets.

KEY FEATURES

This versatile home is arranged over three levels and boasts two separate entrances, making it ideal for extended families or those who desire a large and independent home office suite or annex. The original cottage oozes character with its open fireplace, log burning stove, and beams, while recent additions include an extra living room with full-width glazed doors overlooking a suntrap terrace and the beautiful Bedfordshire countryside.

Ground Floor

Upon entering the property from the front garden and driveway, the hall boasts a feature spiral staircase with exposed brickwork leading to the first floor. A door to the left provides access to an annex double bedroom or office space with en-suite.

First Floor

The characterful landing has two full-length windows to the front and rear and leads to the main sitting room and a further bedroom/games room with en-suite. Flowing from the sitting room, there is a snug and dining room or breakfast room that exudes a warm and inviting ambience. These rooms boast beamed ceilings, with the snug featuring a traditional open fireplace and the dining room a modern fireplace with an inset electric fire. Stairs rise from the dining room to the second floor, which features further bedrooms and a family bathroom.

An inner hall leads to the kitchen and utility room and a handy walk-in storage/larder cupboard. The kitchen is fitted with a good range of modern base and wall cupboards with an inset sink unit, work surfaces, and an electric range-style cooker, with an integrated dishwasher included. There is space for an American-style fridge-freezer, and a stable door leads to the terrace, with dual aspect windows. The utility room has a fitted storage cupboard and space for a washing machine and tumble dryer.

SELLER INSIGHT

Tucked away on a quiet lane in the charming Bedfordshire village of Ridgmont is Caymans Cottage, a large and very well appointed family home, which boasts an annex, a large garden and beautiful countryside views. “Prior to buying the house seven years ago, my wife and I hadn’t actually been planning a move,” says the owner. “We were living in Watford, but during a caravanning trip I had to pass through Ridgmont, and as I drove through the area I saw a gorgeous house for sale. When I got home, my wife and I thought we’d take a look on Rightmove, and as we did, the details for Caymans Cottage popped up. We decided to view it, we immediately fell in love with it, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

“One of the many things that really sets it apart is the setting. It enjoys almost an ‘island’ location, tucked away on a very quiet lane that’s surrounded by rolling countryside. We see pheasants sitting outside the kitchen window, deer often visit the neighbouring paddock – which we rent for a peppercorn fee – and our lovely big garden is a haven for all kinds of wildlife. We’ve been able to enjoy all the benefits of peaceful rural living with all the convenience of being just fifteen minutes from the bustling city centre of Milton Keynes.”

“The house was pretty rundown when we moved here so we’ve spent the past seven years gradually putting it back together and transforming it into a warm and comfortable family home. It’s now in great shape and really lovely throughout. The garden has also undergone quite the transformation, so where previously it was one large sloping space, it’s now tiered so there are various lovely places to sit out and relax in – and we still have the tyre swing that our daughter fell in love with the very first time we came to look at the house. The garden as a whole is really peaceful and it’s not in the slightest bit overlooked so we enjoy complete and utter privacy. It’s definitely one of the many things we are going to miss when we leave.”

“The large living room is probably my favourite. It has one entire wall of glass so we enjoy beautiful views out across our garden and the countryside beyond. We can open up the French doors when the sun is shining and bring the outside in, and when it’s cold and miserable we can light the wood burner and create a really cosy atmosphere, while still enjoying those views.”

“This is a place where we’ve been able to enjoy the very best of both worlds. At home it’s very peaceful and picturesque, and we can step out of the front door and walk for miles though stunning countryside and Woburn estate. However, we’re also in close proximity to a number of well-served villages, and we can be in Milton Keynes in next to no time. We also benefit from really good transport links.”

“The annex is a fantastic feature of the property and it’s really flexible in terms of how the space can be used. We currently have a games/cinema room upstairs and a bedroom and bathroom which our daughter uses downstairs, but it could be used as a home office, a gym or a little holiday let.”

“What will I miss? All of it,” says the owner. “We’ve loved every minute of our time here, and if it wasn’t for the fact that it’s simply too big for us now, we wouldn’t dream of moving.”8

* These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.

Second Floor

The bedrooms and bathroom radiate from the landing. The main bedroom is dual aspect, with attractive views over the garden and paddock land. Three further bedrooms also benefit from incredible views, with the third being dual aspect. A modern white family bathroom serves the bedrooms.

Outside

The highlight of this magnificent property is its unique hillside garden, with breathtaking views of the countryside and fine sunsets. The garden has been thoughtfully designed to offer several areas of interest, including a barbecue/outdoor dining space, a secluded hot tub area, a large, raised Koi Carp pond that includes an attractive waterfall, an elevated play house, and plenty of seating areas. The winding pathway and timber sleeper steps connect all the areas, creating a beautiful and harmonious space. There are also level lawns and a very useful rear vehicular access that provides additional parking as well as parking for four to five cars at the front of the house.

AGENTS NOTE

The owners currently rent a paddock of approximately 0.3 acre from the Duke of Bedford/Woburn Estates on an annual licence for £185 – which may be transferable upon application to the estate office.

INFORMATION

Location

Nestled on the edge of the prestigious Woburn Abbey Estate, Ridgmont village offers a rare opportunity to experience the ultimate in country living. With its own highly regarded lower school and a range of local shops, restaurants, and public houses in nearby Woburn, this is a place where tradition meets modern convenience. Golf enthusiasts will love the close proximity to the renowned Woburn Golf and Country Club, while those in search of retail therapy will appreciate the extensive shopping options available in nearby Ampthill and Milton Keynes. For families, the property is located in the catchment area for the Ofsted rated Outstanding, Eversholt Lower School, and there are excellent transport links with stations at Ridgmont connecting to Bedford’s Harpur Trust Schools, as well as fast train services to London in just 40 minutes. Luton airport offers easy access to European destinations, this is a location that truly has it all.

Services

Heating Oil, mains: water, drainage and electricity

Local Authority

Bedford Borough Council

Council Tax Band F

Viewing Arrangements

Strictly via the vendors sole agents Fine & Country on 07810 805133.

Website

For more information visit https://www.fineandcountry.com/uk/bedford-central-bedfordshire

Directions

Lydds Hill can be accessed can be accessed via the High Street or Station Road.

£900,000

Fine & Country Bedford is a Partnership. Midlands Ltd, VAT No 232999961. Company Reg No 09929046

Registered office address: 5 Regent Street, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 2PE

copyright © 2023 Fine & Country Ltd.

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Printed 04.04.2023

FINE & COUNTRY

Fine & Country is a global network of estate agencies specialising in the marketing, sale and rental of luxury residential property. With offices in over 300 locations, spanning Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia, we combine widespread exposure of the international marketplace with the local expertise and knowledge of carefully selected independent property professionals.

Fine & Country appreciates the most exclusive properties require a more compelling, sophisticated and intelligent presentation – leading to a com mon, yet uniquely exercised and successful strategy emphasising the lifestyle qualities of the property.

This unique approach to luxury homes marketing delivers high quality, intelligent and creative concepts for property promotion combined with the latest technology and marketing techniques.

We understand moving home is one of the most important decisions you make; your home is both a financial and emotional investment. With Fine & Country you benefit from the local knowledge, experience, expertise and contacts of a well trained, educated and courteous team of professionals, working to make the sale or purchase of your property as stress free as possible.

BEN PERKINS

LUXURY PROPERTY CONSULTANT

Fine & Country Bedford 07810 805133

ben.perkins@fineandcountry.com

For over a decade, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working in the property sector and have a wealth of knowledge in the Bedfordshire and London areas. I strive to maximise sale prices in the desired time frames, whilst keeping the process smooth and stress free. I achieve this by creating positive rapports, based on trust and care, and combined with my attention to detail, I am confident in producing exceptional results. Each house has special characteristics and its own story, so by instructing me, I would offer a world class bespoke marketing service, tailored to your unique property. At Fine & Country, we utilise all the latest technologies including only working with the best photographers and videographers. With access to a network of over 300 F&C locations across the UK and worldwide, this allows me to maximise the exposure of your property, creating strong buyer competition in order to drive the sale price up to its peak. I live in Bedford and have grown up in the Bedfordshire area. When I am not working, I love spending time with my family and dogs, walking at many great locations, my favourite being Rowney Warren Woods.

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