West Stow house linked to JM Barrie for sale at £1.75m guide

The Old School House is a four-bedroom country house with spacious living spaces, charming outdoor areas including a woodland and a separate annexe.

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Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie was a friend of a headmistress who used to live in the Old School House, and he would visit the property.

Selling agent Savills said that during one stay, J.M. Barrie sketched an unusual Scots pine tree in the neighbouring grounds, which he then passed on to his illustrator, Arthur Rackham. It appears in first editions and succeeding editions of Peter Pan.

The property has undergone several structural and aesthetic renovations (Image: Savills) “Dating from the 19th century, the Old School House has been meticulously enhanced to an exceptionally high standard by the current owners,” said property agent Katy Stephenson, associate director in the residential sales team at Savills, selling the property.

“I particularly love its surroundings, with the pathways through the trees and strategically placed seating areas creating a perfect sanctuary.

“The main property is also very special – blending historical and period elegance with modern luxury and conveniences.”

Several structural and aesthetic renovations have been carried out to bring the house in line with modern living, including complete re-wiring and re-plumbing, a new heating system and radiators, new roofing, solar panels and a new kitchen and bathrooms.

There are five reception rooms on the ground floor (Image: Savills) The elegant drawing room is the largest of the reception rooms (Image: Savills) The ground-floor entrance porch opens into two, spacious connected hallways, providing access to a staggering five reception rooms. The drawing room is the largest and features elegant vaulted ceilings, original wood windows enhanced with double glazing, a wood-burning stove and French doors into the formal dining room. There is another wood burner in this room, along with Velux windows and new tiled flooring.

The formal dining room (Image: Savills) The study/snug is a versatile room with vaulted ceilings and Velux windows (Image: Savills) From here is the beautifully designed study/snug, an impressive and versatile space with a vaulted ceiling and Velux windows, exposed beams, and modern bi-fold doors to the garden.

The modern kitchen offers a host of wall and base units and a central marble island with a wine fridge and dual built-in ovens. Additional dining space is provided in the adjoining breakfast room, and there is a utility at the end of the hall with space for a washing machine and tumble dryer.

As part of the renovation work, the kitchen received a modern makeover (Image: Savills) Adjoining the kitchen is a casual breakfast room (Image: Savills)An internal steam room with an adjacent walk-in rainfall shower brings an added touch of luxury, and completing the ground floor are a second snug and a WC.

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Upstairs, a large landing with electric sky lights accesses the four main bedrooms, one of which is currently used as a dressing room with bespoke, fitted wardrobes.

The light and airy principal bedroom has bi-fold doors opening on to a balcony with garden views, as well as built-in wardrobes and an en suite.

The principal bedroom features a private balcony (Image: Savills)Bedroom two has double-aspect windows looking out over the gardens, while bedroom three is the largest, featuring dual-aspect windows with seating and an original fireplace.

The bedrooms are served by a fully tiled family bathroom including a built-in bath with overhead shower, sink and WC.

The first-floor family bathroom (Image: Savills) Outside, the Old School House is accessed through wrought iron electric gates opening to a winding driveway leading through a wild garden and wooded area.

There is ample off-road parking and planning permission to erect a cart lodge. However, the double garage itself has been converted into a studio/annexe comprising a living area, kitchen, bathroom and first-floor bedroom with en suite. Savills notes that “there has been planning permission to join this space to the main house”.

The annexe is currently used as a studio space (Image: Savills) The grounds total approximately 2.75 acres. The wraparound garden is mostly laid to lawn and decorated with additional shrubs, and the house also enjoys a walled garden which boasts vegetable planter boxes and a greenhouse. There are also multiple dining terraces, including one within a wooded area near the house complete with a Kadai fire pit and a summer house.

The Old School House's grounds total approximately 2.75 acres (Image: Savills)

There is also a sauna and ice bath with panoramic views in the grounds (Image: Savills) A separate cabin houses a gym with a sauna and ice bath and panoramic views of the surrounding Suffolk countryside.

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West Stow is a popular village five miles away from Bury St Edmunds. It is home to West Stow Country Park (a recreated Anglo-Saxon village) and forest walks.

For more information, please contact Savills.

PROPERTY FACTS
The Old School House, West Stow
Guide price: £1.75m
Savills, 01473 234 800
Savills.com