“It’s like living in a Thomas Hardy novel.” says Elizabeth Winfield. “It’s quintessentially English.” The resident of Kelstern Hall is admiring the beautiful proportions of her elegant Victorian home, a full renovation of which has just been completed to the designer’s satisfaction, just in time for its next owners to enjoy.

The property dates back to 1860, a newer property on the site of what is believed to be an older property dating back to 1762 with a property of an almost identical elevation.

The Thomas Hardy reference is apt for, despite the fact that the Dorset author didn’t begin work on his first unpublished manuscript for another decade after the property was constructed, the landscape is similar to those which the author romanticised.

Based on the site of a former medieval village — the earthworks of which remains visible today — Kelstern Hall looks out over the 14th century Church of St Faiths, and over a rolling landscape of open farmland.

A sympathetic restoration has brought the property nicely up to date, but former interior designer Elizabeth and her husband, academic Ian, have carefully preserved the property’s heritage.

The couple has family in Lincoln, and moved to the county in 2007. Searching for luxury houses for sale in Lincolnshire, and in particular a property in which to downsize, Kelstern Hall fitted the bill with elegant, practical proportions — though with five reception rooms and seven bedrooms it could hardly be described as modest.

What struck the couple most about the property, though, was its location. The beautiful backdrop of Lincolnshire countryside and the unspoilt location drew Elizabeth to make comparisons with Hardy’s fictional landscapes, but the well-proportioned home and six acres with provision for horses also appealed.

Upon moving to Kelstern, the couple embarked upon an extensive renovation, which included the creation of the property’s flagship feature, its kitchen & breakfast room.

The kitchen was installed by Osborne of Ilkeston, and features beautiful hand-made cabinetry in solid oak and pine, finished in Farrow and Ball String and Railings paint.

Featuring a luxuriously large Belfast sink, fully-renovated four oven Aga in glossy black, as well as mod cons including US-style fridge freezer, Miele steam oven and cappucino machine, induction hob, and twin dishwashers, it’s a great place to cook.

Glossy granite surfaces with bronze flecks, a chandelier, Travertine floor and island with solid oak surfaces complete the kitchen, adding finesse to function, whilst a practical dining area supplements a re-styled formal dining room with open fire.

“It’s a wonderful property in which to entertain.” says Elizabeth. “This season we’re looking forward to having the family over and hosting drinks parties for friends... it’s a sociable house, grand but friendly.”

The property’s drawing room features an original marble fireplace, whilst a large, beautiful Amdega orangery, added by the previous owners serves as a further reception room, and throughout the ground floor, marble floors and a unique mosaic in the entrance hall add to the house’s period style.

The property has been created with grace, but also with practicality in mind — the east wing’s former enclosed maisonette has been reclaimed, providing a study, utility room, further boiler room, separate bedroom and wetroom for those looking after horses and anticipating an early start, as well as a boot/tack room for the adjacent courtyard’s stabling.

Throughout the house are soft furnishings from retailers including Lees of Grimsby, and bespoke lambrequin window dressings in silk. Upstairs the property features seven bedrooms & four bathrooms with the master featuring an en-suite and dressing room.

With a total of six acres, the property includes five stables, large barn with office to the first floor, and a series of workshops and tack rooms surrounding a substantial York stone terrace.

The mature grounds feature a ha-ha overlooking the church, thatched Breeze House for entertaining and a lake with viewing area to admire the wealth of wildlife visiting the property throughout the year.

“The cobbled stables are beautiful, and the property is great for those with equine interests.” says Liz. “We’ve two horses and some donkeys... there’s plenty of room.”

With the couple’s daughter having left home and with family back in Derbyshire, Elizabeth and Ian’s extensive renovation has been completed just as their circumstances necessitate moving away and downsizing.

“We’ll miss the property so much.” says Elizabeth. “From the position and the view to the proportion of the rooms, to the architectural detailing on the cornicing and the fireplaces. It’s beautiful. Ultimately though, we’re just pleased to have made the property our own and to have improved it during the time we’ve spent here.”

Kelstern Hall is now on the market with estate agency Savills of Lincoln for £1.5m. For other luxury houses for sale in Lincolnshire, see the latest edition of Lincolnshire Pride Magazine.