WELCOME HOME A Grade I listed former rectory that’s the perfect place to celebrate Christmas.

THE DETAILS The West Wing, Market Deeping

Location: Stamford 7.9 miles, Peterborough 8.9 miles, Oakham 18.9 miles. Provenance: Grade I listed former rectory dating back to the 1400s set in three-quarters of an acre. Rooms: Three receptions currently arranged as living kitchen, sitting room and dining hall. Four beds.

Guide Price: £1,250,000.

Find Out More: Pelham James Unique Homes, Saddler’s Court Oakham LE15 7GH. Telephone: 01572 497 070, or see www.pelhamjames.co.uk. n FROM THE 1400S, the Chanting Hall of The Old Rectory in Market Deeping was filled with the sound of liturgical chanting as its ecclesiastical inhabitants pursued their faith. Never more was this faith stronger than during advent. And 600 years on, the property is still a place to gather for festive celebrations. “We can’t wait,” says Isabel Howett. “Christmas Day usually means the extended family gathered together in the hall, around the huge fireplace with a roaring fire, opening presents from under the tree with plenty of candles and lights.” “More than anything though, we love to host large parties for our family and friends, with plenty of food, a well stocked bar, children racing all over the house and garden, some fireworks and the natural acoustics of the house electrifying the joyful sound of fun and laughter.” The entrance hall of the property is certainly spectacular. But you’d expect nothing less of a property which dates back to the 1400s and carries not just a Grade II or starred listing, but a Grade I listing – one of fewer than 9,500 buildings in the UK and just 120 buildings in South Kesteven to be designated as such.

Extended in the 1600s to include a dormitory and again in the 1800s by Reverend William Hildyard, the property was split up into three dwellings in the early 1980s: The West Wing, The East Wing and The Coach House. Born and raised in the Fens, Isabel is a complete polymath and having worked in the Media, she escaped the city with her husband, Tim, to return to the area. She keeps herself busy that’s for sure, raising their two children Rafe and Georgia, managing projects as a interior design consultant; co-curator of the website of local interiors retailer That Rebel House (that rebelhouse.co.uk), and an Operation role with sustainable skiwear company Ecoski. “We’ve always purchased and sold houses, but this is the first time that our friends have all given us a shake and asked us what on Earth we’re doing contemplating moving. We arrived at the house in 2014 in awe of the flagstone floors, sweeping staircase and parquet floors but the house revealed a long long list of jobs urgently required.” “The scale of rooms just blew our minds, lots more time, and lots more paint than your regular four bedroom semi-detached.” “Having renovated a property on Stamford’s Rock Terrace, we were lucky enough to find out the new owners were replacing the kitchen so we managed to get our old but barely used kitchen into the West Wing.” “Making sustainable choices is very important to us. We don’t have loads of rooms but we use them well rather than adding an extension that would require unnecessarily using the planet’s precious resources. >>

>> With that in mind, rather than extending, Isabel got permission from English Heritage to move the narrow galley kitchen into the exisiting Drawing Room to create a wonderful kitchen come entertaining space onto the garden.” “The tones of muted creams and browns set off the Devol cabinetry, grey Carrara marble surfaces, copper sink and brass taps, fixtures and fittings. The unexpected talking point has turned out to be the white Smeg induction hob. The entrance hallway in Obsidian Green courtesy of The Little Greene Company, and a stone fireplace upon which is written, in Old English script, the words ‘pees to this house,’ which we assume is legacy spelling rather than an affectation towards legumes. The room has a feel of a bygone era with Arched beams, gargoyles and angels, not to mention the most handsome of oak doors dating back to the 14th century. On the first floor of the property is the principal bedroom and its en suite, together with a second bedroom and family bathroom. Bedrooms three and four – as well as a snug – are on the second floor. Outside are limestone parapets, steeped buttresses, quoins and dressings plus a gabled porch entrance, created by Hildyard in the 1800s. A sheltered dining terrace is covered in wisteria during the summer months and the property is located right next to the 15th century St Guthlac’s Church, where the family will enjoy Midnight Mass this month.

“It really is a spectacular property,” says Isabel. “It has a comforting charm, it’s strong and as much part of the family as the kids and the dogs. The West Wing has certainly looked after us, as our family has grown and the squeals of laughter reverberate around it, like the chanting of monks, but just a little more raucous!” “We’re definitely looking forward to Christmas, and we can hardly believe it will be our last one here. We’re keen to move on to the next challenge and our lives with teenagers.” “It really is a very unique property and has been an absolute privilege to bring The West Wing into the 21st century, so the next custodians can add their stamp to a genuine piece of history, both in the New Year and for many generations to come!” n The West Wing is on the market with Pelham James, 01572 497 070.

OIEO: £950,000

An attractive, substantial home in the Rutland village of Empingham. This well presented property presents a total of five bedrooms, and three reception rooms plus a huge kitchen diner whilst enjoying a lovely connection with the garden.

www.fineandcountry.co.uk

n Main Street, Empingham

Guide Price: £2,000,000

An elegant and beautifully presented listed home, with cottage, within delightful gardens of almost an acre and a quarter, with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, four receptions and tennis courts in grounds.

www.savills.co.uk

n Gretton, Rutland

Guide Price: £850,000

Substantial detached family home with three well-proportioned reception rooms, and four double bedrooms. Large, private rear garden and enjoying magnificent 180 degrees views over the Welland Valley to the front.