7 Bedroom Property for Sale in Penicuik

Victorian Country House
7 bedrooms
4 reception rooms
Ground floor flat
Mature Grounds, 3.26 Acres

Freehold

SITUATION:
Mauricewood House is situated off a tree lined road, at the foot of the Pentland Hills, just to the south of Edinburgh. To either side of the road is woodland with open countryside beyond.The house is very well situated for access to the Edinburgh City Bypass and city centre. The bypass is approximately 4 miles to the north and gives dual carriageway access to the south, east and west of the city, the airport and the motorway network. The city centre is only about 9 miles to the north.Penicuik (1 mile) has a range of local facilities, including shops, a post office, primary and secondary schools. All the private schools, professional, recreational and cultural facilities of Edinburgh are within easy reach.The recreational facilities in the area are good. Hillend dry ski slope is 4 miles away on the edge of the bypass. There are local golf courses at Glencorse, Lothianburn, Rutherford Castle and West Linton, with all the links courses of East Lothian within 30 miles. There is excellent and extensive walking in the Pentland Hills Regional Park, the nearest access being at Flotterstone. Pheasant and grouse shooting can be arranged on estates to the south and there is both National Hunt and flat racing at Musselburgh Race Course.

DESCRIPTION:
HISTORYThe house is believed to date from 1836 with the south wing and tower being added in 1859. The north wing was added in 1897, by Dr Joseph Bell.The house was the home of Dr Joseph Bell from 1890 until his death in 1911. An eminent Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Bell practiced at the Royal Infirmary and lectured at Edinburgh University. Amongst his pupils was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous author and writer of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Bell is now recognized as Conan Doyle's inspiration for his main character and can therefore be considered the - Original Sherlock Holmes'.DESCRIPTIONMauricewood is a delightful family home set in mature, private grounds. The house is built in an attractive stone and exhibits many of the imposing architectural features associated with the Victorian era. These include a spiral tower, a pepper pot turret and steep gabled windows, the majority of which are shuttered. Internally, the house has marvellous Victorian detailing, including a double drawing room, a dining room with original pine panelling, original fitted units in the butler's pantry and high quality floor coverings, including a polished oak floor in the drawing room, parquet floor in the dining room and oak floor in Versailles panels in the hall. The ground floor has extensive, flexible accommodation, with potential for a self-contained flat with a sitting room/ bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and WC This is however, currently used as part of the main living accommodation. In addition to the principal reception rooms, there is a family sitting room, breakfast room, kitchen (with gas fired Aga), study and ancillary accommodation.On the first floor there is a master bedroom (with a dressing room and a spiral stair to the top of the tower), four further bedrooms and two bathrooms. In addition, there is a guest suite, with sitting room, bedroom, dressing room and a shower room.OUTBUILDINGSAt the back of the house there is a boiler room and a workshop with ample storage space.GARDENS AND GROUNDSMauricewood House is set in gardens and grounds extending to about 3.26 acres, providing a wonderful private setting and a haven for wildlife. A delightful herbaceous border stretches along the front of the house. Beyond, there is a large sloping lawn, with a magnificent beech tree in its centre. There is a small rockery to the side of the house. Behind the house is a cobbled courtyard with a drying area and large woodshed.The grounds are surrounded on all sides by a mixture of established soft and hardwood trees. The species include oak, lime, beech, copper beech, fir, pine, silver birch, yew, holly, Spanish chestnut, larch, Atlantic cedar, cypress and horse chestnut. There are a large number of rhododendrons which provide a mass of colour in the early summer.ServicesMains water (private branch of mains supply). Mains electricity. Private drainage. Mains gas fired central heating. Water heated from Aga with electric immersion heater as back up.Fixtures and FittingsFitted carpets, curtains and light fittings are included in the sale.

ACCOMMODATION:
See floor plans

DIRECTIONS:
From Edinburgh, take the A702, signposted to Biggar and West Linton. Shortly after passing the Flotterstone Inn on the right, about 3.5 miles beyond the City Bypass, turn left, signed for Mauricewood. The gates to the house are on the right, after about ½ mile.