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" This most impressive listed former farmhouse resides in the desirable town of Godmanchester. Set on half an acre of land, Porch Farmhouse, built in the 16th century, takes its name from the charming wooden porch presented at the front of the house. This historic residence is a grade II listed building with its own listed barn and dovecote found at the top of the garden. Porch Farmhouse is formed of two storeys and was originally a jetty house. The front exterior is timber framed with the upper storey formerly projected, but was under-built with red brickwork in the Georgian era. The house is also characterised by timber framed sash windows dating back to the 19th century and a chapel door to the rear with a leaded light lobby which gives additional access to the parking area.

A large gravel drive sweeps around the back of property providing plenty of parking space, there are three garages all with power and one with water supply. As well as a classic wicket fence that leads to the front entrance of the garden, a cobbled pathway follows all the way around edge of the lawn leading back out to the driveway. The main highlights of this fabulous farmhouse are a spacious kitchen/ breakfast area and family room as well as a splendid sitting room and dining room that exude charm and elegance. An extensive master bedroom, family bathroom and four other unique guest rooms are found on the first floor, with a south facing garden and well-landscaped grounds. The grounds sit in excess of half an acre, and are mainly laid to lawn, with a range of small and large trees, plants and shrubbery.

Godmanchester is ideally located with easy access to the town of Huntingdon, also the A14 and A428 with direct routes to the city of Cambridge, the centre of which has recently been redeveloped to provide pedestrians excellent shopping facilities. For London commuters, the M11, A14 and A1 are all close by, as are the mainline stations of Cambridge, Huntingdon and St Neots – with regular services taking approximately an hour to London stations.

Porch: Added around 16^th century, the porch is of timber that sits on a red brick base supported by symmetrical turned balusters. There is a turned pendant feature at the apex and the base beams of the gable are carved with guilloche detail as well as the barge boards having beautifully carved semi-circular enrichments. The front door into the house is panelled and was added approximately the same date.

Chimney: One of the most striking features of the house is the 17^th century chimney stack, surmounted by freestanding shafts, and diagonally set in plan with decorative details.

Dovecote: A late Georgian style, free standing, listed pigeon house comes complete with 500 roosting nooks and potential for a variety of alternative uses subject to consents. 18^th century rendered built in stone this dovecote is built in vernacular style with a half hipped tiled roof design.

Location, location, location. Porch Farm House’s first-rate location is what attracted the current owners to this gorgeous home. It’s close to town, easy to get to Cambridge, within reach of London and a short walk to the river. ‘Where there’s a river, we’ll be’, comments the owner, and it’s easy to see why they have become so attached to this wonderful spot.

And what else do they love? Well the property itself is a real find. It was originally built back in the 1480’s and has been transformed over the years, the latest being a Georgian makeover. And today it has bright and spacious feel of a modern property. It also has a very unique thatched barn and a separate annexe.

When asked about a favourite room, the current owners had difficulty deciding on just one. ‘In winter, it has to be the living room with its cosy inglenook fireplace and in summer, the kitchen is just lovely’. Indeed, both have a very different feel and each are equally as pleasing. ‘And the barn is great; it’s even hosted weddings, parties, wine tasting, as well Church wine and cheese evenings’, the current owner adds. Stripped back to its bare form, the barn is as rustic as they come and you can even see the underside of the thatch in and amongst the rugged beams.

‘What’s really great about the house, is that you can sit in the garden and feel like you’re in a secluded countryside village, and then walk out of the front and realise you’re in the middle of a bustling town’. It’s true, the garden and surroundings do feel very rural. The current owners have created a wonderful vegetable patch, there’s a huge lawn, pretty flower beds and a dove house. ‘On a summer’s day with a glass of wine, it almost feels like you’re in the south of France’, the existing owner adds. Undeniably, the pyramid roof of the dove house does evoke the feeling of being in a land faraway.

When it comes to period features, Porch Farm House is in abundance, and the wooden beams really stand out. They’re in the walls, holding up the ceilings and above the door frames. Yet the use of light paint keeps the rooms feeling bright and up-to-date. In many ways, it actually has a rather neutral décor with the period features speaking for themselves. It’s a joy to see a period property so well preserved.

Godmanchester has a great community feel and the existing owners of Porch Farm House love to get involved in the events, like Picnic in the Park, a miniature festival that families flock to in the summer. It is full of period houses, has some lovely pubs and benefits from the expansive park.