Thatch roof is probably the most romantic of all roof coverings and, up until the early 19th century, the only one available to the majority of the population.

It was a situation that altered only after the commercial production of slate began and transport by rail and canal made other materials available.

Thatch eventually become a mark of poverty and its popularity waned. However, that is a view that has now reversed as people have become keen to preserve buildings with this sustainable material.

This Grade II listed house in Babelake Street, in the Leicestershire village of Packington, is a traditional Cruck arched thatched cottage with outbuildings.

It has been modernised and improved by the present owner. Work done included fully recovering the principal roof, with modern sarking felt below French reed thatching, which was renewed at the time. The ridge line has more recently been renewed with straw in 2005.

Outbuildings including the modern office/workshop and oak framed garage/barn were added in 1999.

A high hedge divides the property from the road. The front garden has a lawn, shrub and specimen tree borders. There is a gravel driveway to the side and back, ample hard-standing and turning space for vehicles next to a principal lawn with raised rockery border. There is also access to a gardener’s toilet.

At the front the porch is also thatched.

Inside the entrance hall has a wealth of exposed beams and a quarry tiled floor. There is access to a utility cupboard and to a back porch with a stable door to the gardens and grounds.

In the sitting room the focal point is the original inglenook fireplace with an exposed brick chimney breast, tiled shelving, matching quarry tiled hearth with open grate and timber over mantle. There are a wealth of exposed ceiling and wall beams within the room and windows to the front and back.

Between the sitting room and family room there is an inner hallway with exposed beams, storage cupboard below stairs, quarry tiled floor and a staircase.

The family room is L-shaped and has a Victorian style fireplace with open grate and quarry tiled hearth, a wealth of exposed ceiling and wall beams, and twin multi-paned windows to the front.

On the other side of the entrance hall is a kitchen and dining room. This has the original cast iron stove (used for display) with timber over mantle and a quarry tiled hearth. It has a pine fitted dresser cupboard, a wealth of exposed ceiling beams and wall beams, tiled work-top with hand-built pine cupboards and drawers below. There is also space and plumbing for a dishwasher, a Belfast sink, gas cooker point, extractor hood and a terracotta tiled floor.

There is an enclosed doorway off with stairs to a third bedroom and access to a traditional style pantry cupboard below.

The utility/store has a Belfast sink, space and plumbing for an automatic washing machine, quarry tiled floor, exposed beams and a traditional thrawl (a stone slab used for keeping things cool) with shelving above.

Also on the ground floor and reached through the inner hall is a quarry tiled floored bathroom with Sanitan country style suite comprising panelled bath, pedestal basin and toilet.

On the first floor there are exposed Cruck beams.

Bedroom one is a light spacious room with an exposed brick chimney breast and Cruck beams.

Bedroom two also has exposed ceiling and Cruck beams, solid wood flooring and a traditional style window to the front.

The third bedroom is open-plan with a staircase and a wealth of Cruck and ceiling beams. Both this room and bedroom one have access to an inner landing and a shower room with shower cubicle, wash basin and toilet.

Outside there is a detached workshop/office with two rooms, both have terracotta tiled flooring. One room has space for storage above. The other has a wood block work-top with under-counter cupboards and drawers and space for a fridge and freezer.

A modern but traditional style oak framed garage has a vaulted ceiling. There is also an open bay car port.

To the left of the carport are further storage buildings and a block brick pathway with a timber arch to the private rear gardens. These are currently laid to lawn with hard-standing for a garden shed and access to an inner courtyard patio which makes an ideal barbecue area and is suitable for a hot tub.

Beyond lies a beech hedge leading to a further lawned garden and summerhouse.

There is a covenant on the very rear – most section of the garden precluding development of a permanent structure (full details from the selling agents).

VIEWING INFORMATION

AGENT: Andrew Johnson & Company

TEL: 01530 410930

WEB: www.andrewjohnson.uk.com

GUIDE PRICE: £500,000