Property history of The Old Rectory, Dunton, Buckingham MK18 3LW, 4th Sep 2010

Simply stunning - a little piece of England

The Old Rectory at Dunton is a fine 18th century country house in a perfect rural setting, located quietly at the entrance to the village opposite the church.

The gravel drive sweeps you up to a classic Queen Anne facade, matched inside by elegant, well proportioned rooms with open fires and beautiful views.

The Old Rectory enjoys eight double bedrooms on two floors, a wine cellar, cottage and self contained wing on the west side.

At the rear of the house, spacious lawns and a formal garden gradually give way to informality; hidden areas, oases of calm, culminating in spectacular, uninterrupted views over unspoilt Buckinghamshire countryside.

The Old Rectory has all of the best qualities of an idyllic English country house; the perfect context for a happy rural existence. 

Summary Of Accommodation Drawing Room Sitting Room Dining Room Kitchen Breakfast Room Cellar 

Eight Double Bedrooms Two Bathrooms Self Contained West Wing Separate Cottage Swimming Pool and Terrace 

Extensive Parking Garaging For 4 Vehicles Approximately 3 Acres  

Superb Symmetry – Elegant Accommodation The principal reception rooms face south east over the gardens, either side of the gracious reception hall with its half panelled staircase and door to the wide stone flagged terrace. Both enjoy open fires, the Sitting Room with a log burner for those chilly winter evenings, sash windows with shutters and stripped pine floors. The formal dining room, an excellent entertaining space, has window seats facing the drive, another fireplace and an Oak stripped floor. All include authentic character detailing exuding a charm and warmth that is quintessentially English.

The Kitchen Breakfast Room has as its centrepiece a Royal blue oil fired Aga set into the old fireplace. With a large Gaggenau oven complete with spit and pizza brick, and 4 electric hobs above, catering for your party guests here is a pleasure, as is more intimate dining at the breakfast table whilst enjoying the gardens and 12th Century church opposite. Beyond is a large pantry and utility room with wc, and access into the West Wing.

The West Wing mirrors The Cottage on the East side and offers potential annex living, with independent access and heating. Currently used as further entertainment areas encompassing the Billiard Room with its vaulted ceiling, Limed Oak Kitchen and shower room, it adjoins the Pool Terrace. 

Going Underground. Brick steps from the hall descend to the Cellar, with its brick built wine bins, a built in safe, and lockable storage closet (somewhere to keep the skeletons perhaps?)

Soothing slumber - and so to bed.

With three most impressive bedrooms and a dressing room/office on the first floor, the Master Bedroom and Chinese Bedroom with its antiqued Chinese wallpaper overlooking the gardens, two matching bedrooms to the front and the Master Bathroom, there is space aplenty here for your growing family and guests. Of course you may find children wish to sleep on the second floor as all the four generous bedrooms here have hand painted friezes from ancient Egypt to Pompeii and Vikings to Cavaliers. Another bathroom here stops creeping around on the stairs at night! 

Outside And Outbuildings The wide drive, bordered by magnificent Horse Chestnut, Ash and Beech trees, leads you to an l-shaped two storey Barn with double doors offering garaging for several vehicles, another garage and workshop. External steps lead you to a boarded loft over the whole complex. Opposite is a vegetable garden and greenhouse. 

The Cottage Detached from the house with accommodation over two floors comprising Sitting Room with log burner, Dining Room and Kitchen, Double Bedroom and Bathroom, with independent heating and access.

Make a splash - The heated Swimming Pool is tucked away in a walled courtyard with Yew hedging and a paved surround. The adjacent Pump House hides all the equipment and the oil tank.

The wide stone Terrace to the rear of the house enjoys day long sun, an ideal spot to stop for a cool glass whilst gazing over the formal lawns flanked on either side by parterres and bordered by a Yew hedge. Beyond are further lawns with areas of sweeping herbaceous plants interspersed with mature trees including Walnut, Oak, Copper Beech and Sycamore. The rear gardens adjoin open fields with an outstanding view, complete with bench for that obligatory Gin & Tonic as the sun sets in front of you.

A fenced asphalt tennis court is situated at the end of the village and is a facility shared by all residents of Dunton with the upkeep paid by the village trust fund. 

Location, Location, Location The Old Rectory provides an excellent opportunity to purchase a substantial Country House 36 minutes commuting distance to London (Euston) from Leighton Buzzard railway station, a short drive away. There is a range of excellent schools in the vicinity including St Michaels Primary school in Stewkley (minibus collects at the front gate) with an excellent 11+ pass rate to the local Grammar Schools in Aylesbury or Buckingham. Public Schools include Swanbourne House, Milton Keynes Preparatory, Cothill, Akeley Wood, Stowe and Wycombe Abbey. Local access to the national road network is via the M40 at Bicester or Thame, M1 at Toddington and A5 at Dunstable.