The Vines, Main Street, Thorpe Satchville, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14

A most impressive detached Victorian country residence with an abundance of notable history sitting on the site of the former Vine Farm House which was an 18th century stone built property belonging to the Paget family, where in 1871 the Vine Farm House was remodelled into the larger Victorian house we see today which became 'The Vines'. After a period of ownership by the renowned Captain Alfred Loewenstein's Belgian Bloodstock Company, throughout the 1930's, the property was occupied by Colonel Kellett and family who were known to entertain Royalty at the house including Edward Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII). During the Second World War, The Vines was commandeered by the war office and its occupants included the Parachute Regiment, before their involvement in the battle of Arnhem. This very special and unique home is well presented throughout having undergone recent refurbishment to many areas with the opportunity of further luxury enhancement throughout the property to suit the discerning buyers own tastes. The property sits in 0.50 acres of attractive gardens and grounds with a private driveway and garaging. The incredible character accommodation is set around a principal hallway with a large reception room in addition to further reception rooms, ancillary rooms and breakfast kitchen. The first and second floors give way to six bedrooms with extensive attic space for multi-use with upgraded and refurbished bathrooms in addition to a portion of the building set over three floors with servants back staircase as former butlers accommodation. Opportunities of this type are incredibly rare to the market and this particularly handsome building sits in an imposing central position to this well regarded and much sought after village. The property is well serviced sitting broadly equidistant between Melton Mowbray, Oakham and Leicester making this an ideal country retreat for the discerning family purchaser, particularly those looking for an impressive 'forever home'.

Entrance Hall	35' x 6'9" (10.67m x 2.06m). A truly magnificent entrance hallway with timber wall panelling, decorative carved timber staircase with carved timber newel post. An impressive original Minton tiled floor running through the expanse of the entrance hall. Large double timber front door with overhead window panel to the front of the hallway whilst there is an additional window at the rear of the hallway allowing an abundance of natural daylight into this area and with additional storage beneath the staircase.
Drawing Room	15'10" x 38'7" (4.83m x 11.76m). A magnificent reception room with double height ceiling extending to almost 11' in height with a tall sash floor to ceiling bay window at the front with outstanding far reaching views across open countryside in the distance beyond the village. There is wood block flooring, feature stone fireplace with inset log burner, large walk-in bay area to the rear with secondary glazed timber framed windows and French doors leading out into the garden.
Rear Hallway	With timber panelling to dado height, doorway giving access through to reception room and kitchen.
Dining Room	18'1" (5.5m) x 14' (4.27m) extending into bay window at 17'8" (5.38m). An impressive formal reception room with large floor to ceiling sash bay window to the front elevation, feature decorative brickwork fireplace with log burner, high level ceilings and deep ceiling coving, wood laminate flooring and timber panelled doorways from the entrance hall and into the rear hallway.
Breakfast Kitchen	14' x 14'7" (4.27m x 4.45m). Fitted with a contemporary range of wall and base mounted utility units finished in a casement style timber shaker style frontage with contrasting roll edge laminate worktops and tiled splashbacks, one and a half bowl ceramic sink unit and drainer with mixer tap above, space and connection point for range cooker with extractor hood above, integrated full sized Bosch dishwasher. There are double height ceilings, sash windows to the rear elevation overlooking the garden, wood laminate flooring and ample space for breakfast table and chairs. A door then gives way through to:
Laundry Room/Utility	13'10" x 10'3" (4.22m x 3.12m). A sizeable room particularly useful adjacent to the kitchen with an ample range of storage units and roll edge laminate worktops, tiled splashbacks and Butler sink with hot and cold taps, large sash window to the rear elevations, space and plumbing for washing machine, tiled flooring and door through to:
Rear Entrance Porch	7' x 5'6" (2.13m x 1.68m). With timber panelled glazed rear door out into the garden, large sash window to the side, wall mounted Worcester gas central heating boiler, stone thrawl with storage beneath and quarry tiled flooring. Doorway giving access through to:
Cloakroom	7'5" x 7'4" (2.26m x 2.24m). Fitted with a high level flush WC, wall mounted wash hand basin, two sash windows to the side, quarry tiled flooring and an internal door giving way to:
First Floor Landing	An impressive galleried landing with carved spindles and banister, large picture window to the rear elevation overlooking the garden.
Bedroom One/Sitting Room	21'6" x 16'1" (6.55m x 4.9m). A substantial room currently used as an apartment sitting room with contemporary decor, deep ceiling coving, large sash windows to the front and rear elevations with incredible far reaching open countryside views. There is a large modern log burner in situ and an archway gives way through to:
Bedroom Two/Sitting Room Two	16' (4.88m) x 16'5" (5m) at widest points. A substantial second sitting room to the apartment with a large bay window to the rear elevation overlooking the garden.
Bedroom Three	11'10" x 14'3" (3.6m x 4.34m). Having two sash windows to the front and original fitted furniture comprising cupboards and wardrobes.
Bedroom Four	14'2" x 13'10" (4.32m x 4.22m). Having two fitted alcove wardrobes, sash window to the front of elevation, ample space for double bed and bedroom furniture.
Master Bedroom	14' x 14'10" (4.27m x 4.52m). With a large uPVC bay window to the rear overlooking the rear garden, ample space for double bed and bedroom furniture.
Bathroom	13'9" x 7'3" (4.2m x 2.2m). With a contemporary refitted four piece suite comprising low level flush WC, vanity wash hand basin with hot and cold tap, freestanding claw and ball roll top bath with hot and cold tap and shower attachment, glass screen walk-in double shower cubicle with wall mounted mixer shower, extractor fan, sash window to the side, wood laminate flooring, timber panelling to dado height.
Bedroom/Laundry	14'2" x 11'2" (4.32m x 3.4m). With a large double uPVC double glazed sliding sash window to the side elevation, wood laminate flooring and a large double door laundry cupboard.
WC	3'7" x 7'7" (1.1m x 2.3m). A spacious WC with contemporary refitted two piece suite comprising low level flush WC, wall mounted wash hand basin with mixer tap and sash window to the side elevation.
Back Hall	15'9" x 7'7" (4.8m x 2.3m). A spacious rear hallway with original timber panel and glazed wider than average entrance door with box lock, formerly the tradesman's and butlers entrance to this lavish country home and reaching the back stairs in addition to a doorway to the cellar.
Cellar	13'10" x 13'5" (4.22m x 4.1m). A substantial cellar ideal for storage with ventilation window at the front, original meat hooks and centrally mounted salting trough in addition to raised storage areas and shelving with internal timber latch door through to a cold store.
Wine Cellar	3'6" x 8'8" (1.07m x 2.64m). With fitted stone thrawl shelving originally for storing wine and food products for the house.
Original Servants Hall	12'1" x 10'1" (3.68m x 3.07m). Originally the butlers lounge to the house with feature open fireplace, large sash window to the front and side elevations and wood laminate flooring.
Butlers Pantry/Workshop	12'1" x 5'6" (3.68m x 1.68m). Originally the butlers workshop where daily household chores and tasks would be undertaken featuring a large sash window to the front elevation and quarry tiled flooring.
Butlers First Floor Landing	Having access to first floor butlers rooms and the second floor.
Butlers Bedroom	12'7" x 15'9" (3.84m x 4.8m). With large double wardrobe and double top box and a uPVC double glazed sash window to the front elevation and a feature carved slate decorative fireplace surround and wood laminate flooring.
Second Floor
Attic Room One	12'8" x 13' (3.86m x 3.96m). With decorative sash and timber carved window to the front elevation with far reaching open countryside views. An internal door gives way to a range of attic rooms with abundant further potential.
Attic Room Two	26'9" x 13'6" (8.15m x 4.11m). With dormer window to the rear elevation and a Velux window to the rear elevation. Formerly used as an entertainment space to the original house which once held a full sized billiards table.
Attic Room Three	11'8" x 12' (3.56m x 3.66m). With Velux window to the side and a window to the rear elevation. There is also an internal access door through to:
Store Room	9'3" x 11'6" (2.82m x 3.5m).
Attic Room Four/Games Room	14'1" x 12' (4.3m x 3.66m). A spacious room with Velux window to the side and window to the rear.
Tank Room	22'3" x 8'3" (6.78m x 2.51m). A large room with two Velux windows to this side elevation and an insulated water header tank, this room offers an abundance of space ideal for additional storage.
Garage	24'7" x 18'2" (7.5m x 5.54m). With timber multi-folding and sliding doors and an ample space for vehicles. The garage accessed directly the original timber panel butlers entrance door.
Outside to the Front	The property sits in a prominent position central to the village with an impressive appearance and imposing facade with slate roof and decorative brickwork. There is a gravel driveway reaching the left hand side of the property where there is a feature pond, low maintenance planted areas, modern detached double garage, covered area for bin storage etc and rear patio.
Outside to the Rear	The rear garden is mainly laid to lawn with an abundance of mature shrubs, plants and trees yet keeping a low maintenance feel along with a great deal of privacy rarely found within a central village position. The garden also has various outbuildings and original stone walling with an abundance of areas of interest.
History of 'The Vines'	The site was previously occupied by the Vine Farm House, an 18th century stone-built property which belonged to the Paget family, whose country seat was Thorpe Satchville Hall, a large mansion which still exists. In 1871 the Vine Farm House was remodelled into the large Victorian house which became The Vines, and was occupied by Otho Paget, and his brother Claude, the sons of Edmund Arthur Paget of Thorpe Satchville Hall. The Vines was purchased in 1926 by the Belgian Blood Stock Company, owned by Captain Alfred Loewenstein, the world's third richest man. He was a keen hunter and breeder of Horses. The Vines became his offices for clerks and stenographers. Loewenstein owned several properties in and around Thorpe Satchville, with his residence being The Pinfold on the edge of the village. In 1928, Loewenstein died in suspicious circumstances, falling from his aircraft into the English Channel. In 1929 Edward Orlando (Flash) Kellett, a Sandhurst educated officer in the Army, and later Member of Parliament for Aston in Birmingham, occupied the house with his family. The Kellett's routinely lived here until 1941. Captain Kellett stabled and trained his race horses at The Vines. During this time, the house would be used by many as a base for hunting including Robert Laycock, later the Commando General, and Viscount Antony Head MC. In 1941, the then Major Kellett went to fight in WW2, during which he rose to the rank of Colonel. He was killed in action in 1943, in North Africa following the Battle of El Alemein. During the 1930s the Great Uncle of the present owners of The Vines, George Brown was Butler to the Kellett family. He told of how he served Edward Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, when he stayed with Wallis Simpson, in the large front bedroom of The Vines. The Daughter of Colonel Kellett, Lady Holderness, remembers in her memoirs ('The Ritz and the Ditch') the visits to The Vines of Prince Edward and Wallis Simpson. The diary of Mrs May Wild, then a local dairymaid, recalls visiting The Vines to deliver cream and eggs and witnessing "Wallis Simpson dancing on the grand piano in the drawing room". Between 1941-1948 The Vines was commandeered by the War Office. The property was initially billeted by The Pioneer Corps, then from Christmas 1943 until September 1944, B Company, and following the fire at Burrough Court, part of S Company, The 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. Some 200 men were based in the house and stables behind. Amongst the men was well known Soldier, Victor Gregg, author and anti-war campaigner who survived Arnhem and later the Bombing of Dresden. On the 18th Sept 1944 the battalion parachuted into Arnhem, as part of Operation Market Garden. Recent works at the house uncovered possessions of 92 of the men stationed here; left behind as they hurriedly left for battle. Of them, 12 were killed in action, and most were wounded and captured. Of the 582 men of the entire Battalion, only 36 returned. The soon to be released book, Eight Days to Oblivion, records their battles and their bitter struggle at Arnhem. During 1994 on the 50th anniversary of The Battle, W.G Reid; a paratrooper billeted in The Vines who fought in the battle visited and presented the family with a plaque to commemorate those who did not return. A Memorial has recently been erected to the men of The 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, at nearby Burrough Court between Thorpe Satchville, Burrough and Somerby where the men had been stationed. After the Parachute Regiment left The Vines; members of HMAS Nabberley from Bankstown in Australia took residence. Bankstown was a mobile naval airbase, so it is assumed they used the airstrip at nearby Great Dalby, later a Thor nuclear missile base. The current owner's family have lived at The Vines since 1975.