Upper Weald, Milton Keynes, MK19

It's hard to comprehend that Upper Weald is a mere 3.5 miles and 10 minute drive to Milton Keynes Train Station, as the beautiful architecture of the homes in the village make you feel as though you could be in rural Oxfordshire. This is further compounded by the fact that the Dairy Farm's plot back onto nothing but open countryside. Starting life as a farm in the 17th Century, Dairy Farm has been meticulously remodelled by the current owners. What they've created is a simply stunning family home that is sympathetic to the history of the building, but is fit for modern living. Electric gates provide access to the private 0.5 acre plot that Dairy Farm sits on, and there is enough parking available for a large family as well as their guests. There is also an oversized detached double garage which provides a home for special vehicles, or if you split your time between the UK and overseas. At over 400 sq.ft it also offers the potential to create an annexe should you have multi-generational needs. Like a country home should, you enter through a generous boot room. This provides the opportunity to remove coats and boots after a long walk in the countryside. You step through the boot room into the kitchen and instantly fall in love with this home. Designed in a traditional shaker style, the kitchen was handbuilt by Kandin Kitchens of Northampton. Bakers will be overjoyed to see marble worktops, but you may not expect them to be double layered with ornate edging. This is a sign of the level of detail and expense the owners went to when curating this home. The central island has a butcher block and can comfortably seat seven, although more seating is available on the window seat. There are an array of Miele appliances that include three ovens, two warming drawers, a large hob with separate hot plate and wok hob. Off the kitchen is a reception room which has aircon installed as it is currently being used as a gym. As there are five living spaces in total, flexibility is at a premium. We can see how a family may want to use this as a child's playroom being off the kitchen, or a lavish walk-in pantry could even be created. Walking further into the home you enter a reception area where you'll find a WC and space for a snug. There is a wine store under the oak staircase, so you can understand why the owners use this space to house a piano and create ambiance throughout the house. Entering further you'll find the generous living room. Its size and shape lend it to a sociable layout which can host the whole family. An inglenook fireplace sits proud of place, but doesn't restrict where you can install your sofas or a TV. The ceiling height in this room helps it feel even more generous. We love that the formal dining room sits on the side of the original building as it means you benefit from exposed stone and brickwork whilst you entertain guests. This room could, again, have lots of different uses, but we understand why the owners use it as they do, especially as there is a casual seating area which has two sets of bi-fold doors overlooking the rear garden. Lastly downstairs is a further reception room being used as a games room. Upstairs, five bedrooms have been turned into four to accommodate a new principle suite. This suite is worthy of the stature of this home as it has a proper dressing area and one of the largest ensuites we've seen. The second bedroom is just as impressive. Sitting at the other end of the landing to the principal bedroom, it offers older children (or even young adults) a huge amount of privacy and space to create their own hideaway. It also has its own ensuite and which you access through the original A-frame of the barn, so it has a wonderful balance of character and modern. Occupants of the third and fourth bedroom won't feel aggrieved that they don't have their own ensuite as they have access to the beautiful family bathroom which has both a walk-in shower and freestanding bath. They also have views over the rear garden and countryside to walk up to. As you can imagine, the garden is exactly as you'd hope it would be. There are multiple seating areas on the patio, including space for a breakfast table outside the kitchen bi-fold doors. Here you'll see a pump for a natural well which actually feeds the irrigation system for the garden. There is also a pond for koi carp and a pretty greenhouse for the gardener in the family. The garden really does feel as though it offers something for everyone in the family, but there is one area where everyone can congregate... At the bottom of the garden you'll find a natural pond where a decked area has been created for entertaining. From here you get a wonderful view back at the Dairy Farm, and you can stay here until the late evening thanks to the Crown Pavilions Hampton summerhouse. This can seat the whole family and even has heating. Naturally there is a separate pavilion to cover your barbeque! It's hard to truly describe the charm of Dairy Farm without experiencing it in person.