WELCOME HOME A beautiful

from Lincolnshire Pride September 2020

OUR DAILY BREAD Sourdough

BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED

This month’s property is a beautifully restored country home that’s so This month’s property is a beautifully restored country home that’s so impressive it has been nominated in the International Property Awards. impressive it has been nominated in the International Property Awards.

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Dean Fisher. Words: Rob Davis. Images: Dean Fisher.

Some properties can boast a beautiful location. Some can boast character and period features. Others still can provide those seeking a new home with the results of a comprehensive renovation often years in the making.

This month’s featured property near Stamford can offer all the above and more.

It’s so desirable, in fact, that it has been put forward by estate agents Fine & Country as a contender in the International Property Awards which, to the layperson, is a sort of estate agent’s choice award. Suffice to say it’s pretty special. And its owner, Mark Aitchison, is fairly unique too.

Top: The property is arranged over two floors and carries a Grade II listing. Its interiors have been designed by Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors whilst Alexander Lewis created the bespoke kitchen. 70

A Liverpudlian and a biologist by education, Mark then found himself specialising in agronomy and soon found himself helping farmers and landowners to ensure better yields before gradually transitioning towards the corporate elements of the agricultural business.

Mark founded his business, Frontier, in 2005 and in just 15 years the business has grown to support 25% of the UK agricultural supply industry – becoming a business that employs 1,200 people across 56 different sites.

Mark found himself working across the UK and needed a home from which he could commute to his head office just south of Lincoln - and from which he could reach the capital easily. In 2014 he came across Welland House in Tixover - a satellite village

“The property, which dates back to 1750 and carries a Grade II listing, is set within an acre of grounds...”

of Stamford with beautiful panoramic views of the Welland Valley. At that time though, the property was pretty hard to love. “It was in a really poor condition,” says Mark. “The roof leaked, the windows were rotten and it was damp throughout… needless to say it required a lot of attention.” The property, which dates back to 1750 and carries a Grade II listing, is set within an acre, and Mark chose Fordson Developments to carry out a comprehensive refurbishment lasting over two years. From new pointing and plasterwork, new electrical and plumbing, a replacement of the floors and the installation of new oak doors, the property itself was soon beginning to take shape, structurally and in terms of its utilities, at which point it was time for Mark to turn his attention to the details.

With three reception rooms – currently arranged as a living room, drawing room and a dining room adjacent to the living kitchen, Mark enlisted the help of Mill Street interior designer Elizabeth Stanhope to furnish the property with a range of luxury fabrics and tasteful neutral colours.

The kitchen was created by Harboroughbased cabinet makers Alexander Lewis incorporates powder-grey bespoke cabinetry and granite surfaces. A Mercury range cooker and bank of cooling appliances are 71

arranged around a central island, and neatly integrated into the kitchen is a boiling water tap and two Miele dishwashers. On the first floor of the property there are three large bedrooms with the two largest rooms having en suite bathrooms. The master bedroom also enjoys a dressing room built into the mezzanine level and there’s a fourth bedroom downstairs.

“We’ve created a garden with different levels and incorporated oak sleepers and raised beds. There’s a greenhouse and potting shed, and a garage complex with a workshop, so there’s plenty of space for storage. The views over the Welland are really lovely and we’re visited by lots of wildlife like otters, kingfishers and red kite soaring overhead.”

“To the bottom of the garden is the River Welland, and the property comes complete with fishing and mooring rights.” Mark is currently in the process of restoring the Old Forge in the grounds into a twobedroom annexe, ideal if the property’s next owners are seeking additional accommodation to use as a holiday let or for elderly relatives.

“The village is very beautiful indeed,” says Mark. “I’m a bit torn really because I’m spending more time travelling on business, but I still want to keep a foothold in Stamford too, so I’ve put the property on the market, but I’m really sad to be leaving it.” “It wasn’t a property I renovated with a view to putting it on the market, and I’m the sort of person who’s very keen on fine detail. So together with the team who have helped me, we’ve really invested a lot of time in making sure the property looks and feels lovely.” “I won’t get to enjoy it when it’s sold, but at least I know I’ve created a stunning home for its next custodians to really enjoy!” n

WELLAND HOUSE TIXOVER, STAMFORD

Location: Stamford six miles. Style: Beautifully renovated Grade II listed country house. Bedrooms: Four with two en suites. Receptions: Three drawing, dining and living rooms.