Cottage living in countryside : Shropshire Star:

When Julie and Richard Browring bought Duck Cottage at Paddol Green near Wem three years ago, they weren’t just buying a new home, but a new lifestyle as well.

Duck Cottage used to be Rose Cottage but was renamed because of the wild ducks that fly over it to a nearby pool Originally from Devon they wanted to swap the rat race for the peace and quiet of Shropshire’s countryside, and they got just that.

The property lies in a wonderful position deep in the countryside,overlooking meadows in around an acre of gardens in a hamlet that is still just a five minute drive from Wem.

It had originally been known as Rose Cottage, but the couple renamed it Duck Cottage because of the wild ducks that fly over on their way to a nearby duck pond. They also felt the name would go well with Paddol Green.

The home had been in the ownership of the last family to live there for around 30 years and the Browrings wanted to put their own stamp on the place. This included totally renovating, improving and restoring it to become the gorgeous character-packed home it is today. A contemporary interior mixes well with the traditional red brick Victorian exterior.

Additions to the cottage include reclaimed beams and commissioned new internal cottage style doors, while the original ones downstairs have been dipped. A new kitchen has been installed and the bathroom has been updated. Walls have been replastered, new electrics and plumbing have been introduced, as well as new floorings and tongue and groove panelling.

The cottage had already had attractive new windows and doors installed before the purchase. Julie’s interest in interiors is reflected by the tasteful contemporary decor which is repeated throughout the home.

The cottage had always been well looked after by its different owners over the years, said Julie. For their work on it they employed local craftsmen.

As the Browrings now wish to move back to Cornwall, because of family commitments, they have put Duck Cottage up for sale through Barbers of Shrewsbury for around £375,000. The property is being sold with no chain (Details correct at time of publication - August 2006).

A log burner features in the dining room at Duck Cottage It has been beautifully restored, tastefully decorated and is extremely well maintained. It also has great potential for extensions. The outbuildings have potential for conversion too and the Browrings had plans drawn up for extending both their home and outbuildings, although no permission was sought at the time.

The plans for the outbuildings suggest they could be transformed into a barn-style one bedroomed annexe with kitchen, lounge, bedroom and hall.

The cottage plans include a large conservatory/family room building plus adding a fourth bedroom next to the current bathroom.

The Browrings believe that the property was first built for a retired estate manager from a nearby farm. It has its own bore hole water supply, meaning that you don’t get any water bills, although it could easily be connected to the mains supply if desired. The current accommodation includes an entrance porch, inner hall, sitting room, dining room, breakfast/kitchen, breakfast area, garden room, bedroom one, bedroom two, bedroom three and bathroom. Wonderful views can be enjoyed from the home.

The main entrance to the cottage had previously been altered to incorporate a sliding entrance door. This enables the entrance porch to be used as an additional seating area. Immediately off this is the entrance hall with staircase to the first floor. This rises from the centre of the home.

To the right of the hall is the pretty sitting room. This has windows to both the front and side of the house as well as a charming beamed fireplace with feature LPG cast iron stove.

To the opposite side of the entrance hall is the dining room (which could also be used as a second sitting room if desired). This has an attractive wood burning stove in a beamed fireplace with alcoves to either side and it overlooks the front.

Behind the dining room is a long strip of accommodation incorporating the garden room and open plan breakfast kitchen and breakfast area. At either side of this long area are sliding doors out to the garden/parking space etc.

A raised pond is a feature of the pretty rear garden At the top of the stairs is a small landing. To the left of this is a master bedroom, which faces the front. To the right is bedroom two (another double bedroom) with a dressing area plus the smaller bedroom three.

At the top of the stairs is the good sized family bathroom.

The cottage has a classic cottage look and feel and there is plenty of turning/parking space as well as a garage, workshop, laundry room and original outside privy. A lane fronts the property and the drive has a circular water feature with fountain.

The gardens are stunning and are laid to either side of the property. They are very smart and lovingly tended. There is mainly lawn plus flower borders surrounded by hedging. There is a holly hedge and fence adjoining the lane.

This continues to a conifer hedge with three archways cut through to a further garden area which again is lawned and surrounded by hedging. At the front of the cottage is a small area with plants and shrubs and to the rear is a brick outhouse and access to the second area of garden.

Duck Cottage is a gorgeous country property with a lot of land and potential for extension. It has been so beautifully restored that the new owners can move straight in. It is extremely quiet and peaceful, being surrounded by countryside, yet still just a short distance from Wem. It is new to the property market and no doubt will not be on it for long.