< Previousits original structure and layout, withthe entire property being reroofed,replastered, replumbed and rewired.”The result of this work is anoutstanding period home withgenuinely well proportionedaccommodation, incorporating fixturesand fittings of a high modern standard.The heart of the house is a superb MarkWilkinson “Cook’s Kitchen” with blackgranite surfaces, a four oven Aga and anadjoining family area with a Valeconservatory, which takes advantage ofthe superb views of the gorgeouscountryside beyond.The size of the property is deceptivefrom the exterior and it’s only once youare inside that each room and all threefloors can be fully appreciated. As wellas adding the stunning conservatory, agarage with an attractive attached logstore was also built and the upper floorsof the property were converted intoseven large bedrooms and threebathrooms. The couple also put in a secondstaircase – where there had been oneoriginally leading up to the servants’quarters. This had to be custom-made tofit the unusual layout of the building.Today, it leads up to the bedrooms onthe first floor and down to a fantasticplay room for the children, perfectlysituated next to the kitchen.The open plan family room is trulystunning and the adjoining conservatoryis fabulous. The kitchen is a modern takeon a farmhouse style and is truly thehub of the home. Other features ofparticular note include new shutteredsash windows, reclaimed oak and FiredEarth limestone floors; and bathrooms,showers and wardrobes by CountryCrafts. The gorgeous music room has aGeorgian reproduction open hearthfireplace with a marble surround, as doesthe fabulous sitting room, which alsohas triple aspect shuttered sash windows.There is under floor heating to theground floor with radiators to the upperfloors. For a large property it is very wellinsulated and great care has been takento guarantee a warm home during thewinter months, as Mr Tyler points out:“If you are used to living in an oldproperty with radiators, wait until youexperience the joys of under floorheating – no more cold feet or draughtsaround your ankles – indeed aninvestment well worth making,particularly in a large property such asthis. All of the windows have also beendouble glazed and the roof is completelyinsulated.”Contemporary livingWhilst the property has a real sense ofhistory and is a wonderful example ofstone built 18th Century architecture, itis also in keeping with the demands ofmodern day life. Wired internet/phonenetwork and TV/radio points areavailable in all rooms and WiFi routerscover the central part of the house - thisallows for every member of the familyto work from home.It is difficult to over-emphasise thecombined features and amenities thathave been brought together in thisexceptional restoration. The house itselfis stunning with its three receptionrooms; a gym and office;kitchen/dining/family room, and thatmagnificent conservatory, as well asseven large bedrooms, with threebathrooms.Outside, there is a new stone builtdouble garage – large enough to easilyaccommodate two large family vehicles,with room on the back wall for shelvingand a work bench. A ladder leads to alarge loft space ideal for storing thoseThe fabulous sittingroom has triple aspectshuttered sashwindowsThe gorgeous music room has aGeorgian reproduction open hearthfireplace with a marble surroundThe open plan kitchen/dining/familyroom is truly stunning and the adjoiningconservatory is fabulousThe heart of the house is a superb Mark Wilkinson “Cook’s Kitchen”with black granite surfaces, a four oven Aga and an adjoiningdining/family area with a Vale conservatory20 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHOMES18-22:Layout 1 17/2/12 09:58 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY21HOMESitems that you can’t quite bear to get rid of!A second outbuilding split into a garden storage shed andan old garage offers conversion possibilities. Currently bothhalves are used for storage but something more interestinglike a garden house, house-keeper’s flat, kids’ den, or even amusic studio could be possible. Planning permission has notbeen sought for any conversion at this stage.The gardens are mainly lawn, with a terrace andornamental beds on the north side and beyond a beech hedgea vegetable garden consisting of compost bins, four raisedbeds and several fruit trees. There is also an extensive levelbark area which is currently used as a children’s play areawith a trampoline, climbing frame and swings.A post and rail fence with gates leads to the paddock.Ancient ridge and furrow cultivation is evident here and thecurrent owners allow the neighbouring farmer to graze hissheep in return for a modicum of maintenance.The location is rural, yet the house is convenientlypositioned in the heart of the village. Hough on the Hill isindeed a sought after village, centred on the church and theBrownlow Arms, a well known quality dining pub. A particular feature of this part of our lovely county ofLincolnshire is its rolling countryside and rural appeal linkedto accessibility, with excellent train services to London KingsCross available from Grantham and from Newark, allowingyou to be in the centre of the capital in just over an hour!Ian and Kathy are now looking to embark on their nextbuilding project. Eastern House is therefore on the marketwith Chesterton Humberts for £1.25 million. To find outmore visit www.eastern-house.co.ukA second staircase in the property leads downto a fantastic play room for the childrenperfectly situated next to the kitchenThe huge master bedroom witha lovely en-suite bathroomOne of three bathrooms in thepropertyThe conservatory looks out onto open countryside; alovely lawn and the children’s play area, as well asthe adjoining paddock.21 years of design excellence...21 years of design excellence... BATHROOMSTILESLarge Showroom at the rear ofCleethorpes Business CentreOpening Times:Mon - Fri 9 - 5.30pmSat 10-3pmCleethorpes Business CentreJackson PlaceHumberstonGrimsbyDN36 4ASSimply the Best!Tel: 01472 210820 www.wiltonstudios.co.uk18-22:Layout 1 17/2/12 09:58 Page 4PICTURE BY SHARPSTexture adds depth, warmth, interest and visual appeal to the bedroom. The big sleepMarch is National Bed Month, making it a great time to consider thedécor of the room you probably spend the most time inThe big sleep22 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHOMESIndeed we spend a third of our lives inbed and, while you’ve probably got youreyes closed for most of that, your bedroomcertainly needs to be a restful place. Weoften hear that many people don’t get asmuch sleep as they need and one commonreason is the state of their bedroom whichdoesn’t allow them to relax.It’s perhaps not surprising, then, that akey trend for 2012 in bedrooms is that ofminimalism and a clutter-free approach.Most of us probably have some unusedfurniture or unwanted presents taking upspace in our bedroom, but that shouldn’thave to be the case, as this can prove to beanything but relaxing.The new design trends blur the linesThe new cool look involving tiled floorsalso helps those with allergies. A furtherstep can be beds that make use of thenew Smart Fibres technology from Sealywhich guarantees a cool, fresh, dry andhypoallergenic sleeping environment.23-24:Layout 1 17/2/12 09:49 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY23HOMES24 abroad, and we think nothingof it – in fact we’re glad tohave the most practical floorcovering of them all!Nowadays underfloor heatingthe ambience of a glamorousboudoir. Heavy wood grainsand subtle wild wood effectsmake a bold statementthrough texture and provide abold background in thebedroom – allowing you getcreative by building up layersof different materials andcolours through accessoriesand soft furnishings.One way in which you couldadd texture and style to yourbedroom is with the use of atiled floor. If you’ve spent thelast few months putting offgetting out of bed for as longas possible to avoid going outin the cold, this may seem astrange idea indeed, but asAshely Riggall of WiltonStudios points out, there arenumerous advantages – andit’s becoming more and morepopular.Ashley tells us, “We’re allused to seeing this kind ofthing when we go on holidayQuality and Affordability3/4 (4 ft) beds available.Unusual sizes catered for,stockists of memory foam.email: briggbeds@hotmail.co.ukTel: 01652 651828Princes Street, Brigg DN20 8HGwww.briggbedslincolnshire.co.ukbetween function and style soany space can fulfil its truepotential. Women want aCarrie Bradshaw wardrobe andmen want to be able to choosea tie in the morning withminimal fuss, and the latestfitted furniture can provideboth.The feel of a chic boutiquehotel can be applied to yourbedroom with co-ordinatingdécor, crisp bed linen andluxurious textures. Textureadds depth, warmth, interestand visual appeal to thebedroom, and mixingmaterials such as wood grainsand tactile fabrics like satin,silk and organza will allow anyspace, big or small, to evokeThe latest trend aims to capture a touch of hotel luxe and creates a roomnot just to rest but also to pamper and indulge. PICTURE BY SUNWOOD BLINDS23-24:Layout 1 17/2/12 09:49 Page 224 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHOMESremoves one of the main reasons whypeople in this country wouldn’t chooseit. In the past underfloor heating wassomething you’d only see in reallygrand houses, and indeed the plumbedsystems were very expensive in terms ofboth the initial outlay and runningcosts. Now we can use electric systemswhich can be fitted into the smalleststill giving you the softness, and thewarmth from such a floor surpasses evena carpet.”This increasingly popular approachworks alongside the trends for 2012 ofminimalist chic, practicality and themixing and matching of fabrics andtextures to create a relaxing and elegantatmosphere. Sweet dreams!spaces at low cost.“Everybody likes the idea of a reallyluxurious rug, but put them on top of acarpet and they have all kinds ofproblems with moving around andscuffing up. It’s now increasingly thenorm for people to have solid flooringwith a great designer statement rug inthe centre – it’s fantastically practical,Ashely Riggall of WiltonStudios points out that atiled bedroom floor isbecoming more and morepopularA top bedroom trend is to mix differentpatinas of wood together for an eclectic andlaid back feel that is still super stylish. TheDirectoire Bed from Grange oozessophistication and relaxation23-24:Layout 1 17/2/12 09:49 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY25GARDENSBuilt and mostly designed by WilliamCecil, Lord High Treasurer to QueenElizabeth I, between 1555 and 1587,Burghley House is one of the grandesthouses of the first Elizabethan Age.With a long and fascinating history, thehouse remains one of the mostimportant historic buildings inLincolnshire today and is now thefamily home of Miranda and OrlandoRock and their four children.The gardens and parkland atBurghley House were largely designedby Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in theeighteenth century. Today, sweepingvistas down to the spires of Stamfordwith the backdrop of the House createthe perfect canvas for open air classicalconcerts, wedding receptions, andevents, while the beautiful gardenscontinue to attract many visitors andhorticulturalists throughout the year.The South Gardens are the privatefamily gardens, which are open duringApril for the spectacular display ofspring bulbs. These more formalgardens represent a brief distractionfrom the rolling landscape of Brown’soverall design. Viewed from thewindows of the state rooms above, theSouth gardens are dominated by themature oak and lime trees, planted byQueen Victoria and Prince Albertrespectively, in 1844. The yew hedgesand topiary were added in the late 19thCentury in a bid to reinstate some26 We explore the magnificent gardens at Burghley House in Stamford,where Tudor-inspired parkland contrasts with contemporary sculpture,all nestled in a fabulous historic setting.25-27:Layout 1 16/2/12 14:57 Page 126 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSsense of a formal parterre or garden after so much was soboldly swept away in the 18th century.The formality is accentuated by four raised beds withBlashfield terracotta urns at their centre which were oncefountains before being used for bedding displays.Surrounding these are beds of Hybrid T and Floribunda rosesplanted in the 1960’s. Over to the right the Lion Bridge withits heraldic Cecil lions spans ‘Capability’ Brown’s ‘New River’,actually a lake, which runs right across the view.These gardens are host to a spectacular display of narcissiin April when the family traditionally open the gardens toraise money for charity. This year the South Gardens will beopen on weekdays from Monday 2nd April to Friday 20thApril. The South Gardens will also be open on Saturday 14thand Sunday 15th April for the National Gardens Scheme. Garden of SurprisesOpened in 2007 the Historical Garden of Surprises isanother fantastic feature of the gardens at Burghley.Burghley has always been at the forefront of gardendevelopment and in the sixteenth century the first LordBurghley was a passionate gardener and employer of theTradescants. One of his gardens was noted by diarists of theday as containing “divers conceits, obelisks of manymaterials and a lead pond which was pleasant for bathing inthe summer, as well as Caesars Heads contained in a circularbuilding with a table made from ‘touchstone’”. The amazing contents of the Garden of Surprises areinspired by this Elizabethan garden and are hidden from theoutside – waiting to reveal their surprises to those who enter.Features such as the moss house, the swivelling Caesar busts,basins of water, jets and the mirrored maze have beendesigned to be accessible to all, regardless of age or interest,and are particularly enjoyable for the young, or those youngat heart, who enjoy a paddle on a warm day! This aspect ofthe garden exudes a real sense of fun and is a great contrastto other more formal aspects of Burghley.Sculpture at Burghley Burghley not only offers visitors a treasure trove of historyin the magnificent house, but also distinctive gardens,including the Sculpture Garden where contemporarysculpture nestles in an historic setting. Discreetly hidden sculptures wait to be discovered innatural archways and ‘rooms’ created by a mix of open space,trees and shrubs; and each year the Sculpture Garden stagesseasonal exhibitions along with permanent art pieces. For 2012, exciting new sculptures will explore the worldsof animals and plants - while also highlighting Man’streatment of the natural world and its resources through25-27:Layout 1 16/2/12 14:57 Page 2LINCOLNSHIRETODAY27GARDENSworks created from man-made products and waste, includingshopping bags and metal ring pulls from cans. Floral apparitions will bloom throughout the garden aspart of the annual exhibition that will run from April toOctober, although the permanent pieces can be viewed allyear round. Various beasts will also ‘stalk’ Capability Brown’s garden,from the more familiar English country sights of cows andstags to more exotic zebra and wolves - all waiting to bediscovered amidst the undergrowth and hidden spaces. Highlights of the 2012 exhibition, which opens on 16thApril, include the work of Benedict Carpenter - winner of theJerwood Sculpture Prize, which celebrates emerging talentwithin the medium of outdoor sculpture – as well as animalsculptor Sally Matthews’ resplendent Stag, now acquired forthe sculpture garden’s collection. Mike Dodd will also create a permanent living sculpture - aspiral tunnel constructed from willow that will grow andchange with the seasons and may in turn become host toother climbing plants. The reoccurring theme of Man’s treatment of the naturalworld is reflected in works that include Taz Lovejoy’sspherical plant pot sculptures, installed in a weeping willow– creating the impression of colourful artificial tears. Complementing this are pieces by Wendy Henley madefrom recycled waste materials. Harbinger is woven from usedshopping bags and sinisterly engulfs one of the gardens’laurels, whereas Monomyth is a conglomeration ofaluminium ring pulls that hangs like a swarms of bees in atree. The final plastic component comes in the form of ClaudiaBorgna’s intriguing pieces, which she constructs from whitecarrier bags. Her contributions include a series of funerarybouquets, planted in the lush confines of the stream alongwith a series of kinetic sculptures, whose motion will bedefined by the wind. The contemporary Sculpture Garden, as well as the Tudor-inspired Garden of Surprises, is open daily, includingFridays, from 17th March to 28th October 2012 from 11am to5pm, last admission 4.30pm. A gardens only ticket costs £7.20 for an adult while acombined House and Gardens ticket is £12.50.The park is open 365 days per year from 8am to 8pm ordusk if earlier, and is free admission to all (the park may beclosed occasionally for events or deer management). The main visitor gardens at Burghley are the Gardens ofSurprises and the Sculpture Garden. One admission ticketcovers both gardens; while the Sculpture Garden remainsopen free of charge in the winter months. For further information, visit www.burghley.co.uk25-27:Layout 1 16/2/12 14:57 Page 328 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWOODHALL SPAWoodhall Spa is a Lincolnshirecuriosity. Small but perfectlyformed, it boasts a unique feelall of its own and we find outwhat makes the place tickCrowned heads used to visit to take the waters, the officers of ‘TheDambusters’ 617 Squadron had their mess here and its world-rankingchampionship golf course became the HQ of the English Golf Unionin 1995. Woodhall Spa has come a long way since 1821, whenindustrialist John Parkinson failed to find coal but stumbled on spawater instead. Nowadays, the village may seem sleepy, but scratch the surface andSpa for the courseLots of tourists come to Woodhall Spa, but you’re just aslikely to find locals passing the time of day over a pot oftea. PICTURE: JAMESRITSON.CO.UKRRAILWAYAILWAYHHOTELOTELRose welcomes you toBateman's Good Honest AlesSunday Cavery Booking recommended.12pm - 3.30pmTel. 01256 352580Witham Road,Kirkstead, Woodhall Spa LN10 6QXwww.expressionshairandbeauty.co.ukCreating Beautiful Hair... 2 Albany House, Tattershall Road, Woodhall Spa, LN10 6TT01526 352369www.expressionshairandbeauty.co.uk28-34:Layout 1 16/2/12 14:21 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY29WOODHALL SPAthere is plenty going on and plenty todiscover if you look hard enoughA sense of community is what makesthe place so charming, an aspect thatrecent Media graduate James Ritsonenjoys and what, in part, drew himback to the place following graduationfrom Leicester University.“I like the fact that people will stopfor a chat, even the younger ones,” hesays. And it’s chatting that gets peopleinvolved.The real Woodhall is a place wherepeople are happy to get involved in allsorts of things. James cites the SpaSingers group, started in October lastyear, as an example. “About fortypeople turned up for the first meeting.In the second week there were sixty,and within a few weeks they wereputting on a concert in St Peter’sChurch.”Talking to us in the RAF-themedJanet’s Tea Room, James illustrates thefriendliness of Woodhall by talkingabout the postcards he’s just produced. James says; “I worked in the TouristInformation Centre last year, andthought that the postcards availablewere less than inspiring, so I producedsome of my own. I asked Janet if she’dsell some for me, and she was happy todo so. But it didn’t feel like a salespitch, it was a friendly chat. “You might say some attitudes inWoodhall have not moved on from thepast. That’s not necessarily a bad thing,because people are more friendly.” “This place might look sleepy, but it’snot like that. You need to scratch thesurface to find the real Woodhall.”Residents throw themselves readilyinto getting involved in village life, orstart their own things, as advertised inrows of orderly posters on ‘the fence’, awhite picket affair on the main road.There are all sorts of activities on offer,including a folk club, golf lessons,pilates, a cub pack and dancingsessions.One might say James is Woodhall’s‘chronicler in residence’, using hisThe Dambusters memorial is a feature ofthe centre of the villageOnly the film posters tell you that this is actually a 21st-century cinema. Itwas known by wartime aircrews as the ‘flicks in the sticks’. PICTURE: JAMESRITSON.CO.UK31 COUNTRY PUB, RESTAURANT & MOTEL• LOCAL PRODUCE & LOCAL ALES•TASTES OF LINCS WINNERS 2006 - 2012• OPEN EVERYDAY 11.30 - 2 & 6.30 - 9 pm• AVOID DISSAPOINTMENT CALL AHEAD• CLOSED MONDAY LUNCH• WiFi, ESPRESSO COFFEESTIXWOULD ROAD WOODHALL SPALN10 6UJT: 01526 353312villagelimits.co.ukWINNERS2006 - 2012THECOTTAGEMUSEUMWOODHALL SPAOur mission is to preserve, display and promote the heritage of WoodhallSpa and its immediate surrounds, from its beginnings to the present day.Open Daily 10.30am to 4.30pm, Easter to end of OctoberAdmission Charges: £1.50 AdultsChildren and well-behaved dogs admitted free (when accompanied by an adult)The Cottage Museum, Iddesleigh Road, Woodhall Spa LN10 6SHTel: 01526 353775Email: info@cottagemuseum.co.ukwww.cottagemuseum.co.uk28-34:Layout 1 16/2/12 14:21 Page 2Next >