If one were a contestant in the TV series Four In A Bed (where rival B&B owners visit and rate other establishments) and you were confronted with the glory of Sheepy Lodge, you would be tempted to hand over the winner’s plaque straight away.
It may be described as a B&B, but it has the feel and elegance of a compact Downton Abbey.
More of mansion house than a lodge, the house on Twycross Road gets the name from the village it is in, Sheepy Magna, not far from Atherstone.
The current owner bought it and lived in it as a private home but, with its nine bedrooms and seven bathrooms, it lent itself well to being used as a very upmarket bed and breakfast, and has proved to be very successful.
The entrance sets the tone. Cars can sweep up to the front door and round the turning circle with statue,
There are double front doors that one half expects a butler to open, welcoming visitors into the entrance hall.
This reception space is currently used to greet guests. It has a rather grand-looking staircase lit by a window decorated with stained glass, and a handsome corner fireplace.
Ornate frames surround the doors to the substantial reception rooms, all of them with some very fine decorative detailing, such as ornate coving and large fireplaces with stone or wood surrounds
There are two immediately off the hall – a dining room and a front reception room.
The former is an elegant space which can accommodate a table suitable for hosting large dinner parties.
The front drawing room is equally lovely, but particularly notable for the intricate plasterwork to its ceiling.
Another door opens from the hallway into a small lobby with access to a guest cloakroom and toilet.
The lobby also leads to the utility room which in turn opens out into a kitchen. In contrast to the majority of the rest of the lodge, this room has a very contemporary feel.
Wood units contrast with sleek white work surfaces, chrome handles and integrated appliances.
There is an opening from the kitchen to a breakfast room with storage cupboards. This area also has a door to an office and another to a rear drawing room/snug with some particularly striking wood shelving and panelling surrounding the fireplace.
On the first floor the house has five bedrooms, a number of them with charming fireplaces.
The master suite has a substantial private bathroom with shower room off and its own dressing room. It is opposite the fifth bedroom which could be used to create a self-contained set of rooms.
Bedroom four has an en-suite shower room.
There are two more shower rooms on this level and a bathroom with free-standing bath and twin sinks.
On the second floor there are four more bedrooms, two shower rooms and eaves storage.
A garage has been converted into a luxury flat. This has an open plan living space with some unusually decorative windows.
There is a kitchen area with breakfast bar and a separate shower room. A spiral staircase links it to the first-floor bedroom.
Another attraction is the swimming pool in the garden. Next to it is a large terrace with space for sun loungers, a hot tub and tables for outdoor eating and drinking.
It also has a log cabin style pool house that is spacious enough to have been used as a gym for a thorough work-out.
The property sits in about two acres of grounds. A further 20 acres, including stables and workshop, are available to purchase by separate negotiation.
The owner is also selling a development opportunity on a five-acre plot.
Sheepy Magna is one of the seven villages that makes up the parish of Sheepy, which also includes Sheepy Parva.
As the road name indicates, it is en route to Twycross, famous for its zoo that is home to 1,000 animals.
Sheepy Magna is one of the seven villages It is also close to the towns of Market Bosworth and Atherstone, while Birmingham is just under 25 miles away.
VIEWING INFORMATION
AGENT: Fine and Country
TEL: 02476 500015
GUIDE PRICE: £1,300,000
