ONE OF THE FINEST William and Mary Houses in the UK. A starred Grade II listing, four storeys, six bedrooms and six reception rooms.

The headline features of this Lincolnshire property at Easton on the Hill are certainly impressive. But it’s the remarkable sense of taste,  attention to detail and appreciation for the property’s original features that compel us to make Glebe House this month’s featured property.

It’s the family home of Caroline and André Vrona, and nestles in 1.5 acres of mature parkland close to Stamford, overlooking open countryside. “It was built in the 1690s.” says Caroline.

“Around 100 years later, it fell into the ownership of Rev John Skinner, a fellow of St John’s College, Cambridge. His second son was the captain of the ill-fated HMS Lutine which sank off the coast of Holland in 1799. The Lutine’s bell was preserved and now hangs in Lloyds of London — struck once to signal ill-tidings, twice to denote good news.”

The bell should have been struck in the early 20th century for, in the 1930s, it ceased to fulfil its role as the village’s rectory and was instead used as a rectory, falling into disrepair until the Church of England found a private buyer in 1963. After a partial restoration, Caroline and family acquired the property in 2001 and continued the previous incumbent’s efforts with great aplomb.

“We re-plumbed, re-wired and renovated the roof.” says Caroline. “Perhaps the most significant element of the restoration, however, was the re-instatement of its original features. We uncovered original floorboards and fireplaces hidden away, and restored the fabric of the building to bring back its beauty.”

The property’s starred listing recognises the original panelling and wooden fireplace in the drawing room and the original staircase. Just 5% of all listed properties in the UK are starred, making Glebe House among the most renowned period properties in the UK.

A William and Mary House, styling is pre-Georgian with the Lincolnshire property’s main reception rooms on the upper ground floor.

This affords the Lincolnshire property’s reception rooms elevated views and greater light, whilst alluding to the property’s role as a home for the landed and wealthy, with the domestic service consigned to the lower ground floor.

Today though, and in stark contradiction, the lower ground floor, which includes a luxurious kitchen by Johnny & Gray, wet room, laundry room, wine cellar and study, is anything but basic.

The kitchen, for example, incorporates a new four oven Aga, two stone butler sinks, dishwasher and American fridge freezer hidden behind the kitchen’s walnut, cherry and beech cabinetry.

Architecturally the Lincolnshire property features an Ancaster stone floor, exposed reclaimed beams, and a marble arc to create an
architectural feature.“It’s a lovely kitchen, really warm and cosy.” says Caroline.

The property’s reception rooms all feature original fireplaces, whilst the dining room and drawing room are are both panelled in their original wood.

The ground floor of the Lincolnshire property enjoys two reception rooms, both facing north, whilst the property’s drawing room, dining room, and principal bedroom all enjoy south-facing aspects to ensure as much light as possible floods into the property.

The ground floor also features a service kitchen for convenient entertaining, whilst the first and second floors have bathrooms with period rain baths and Sottini fittings.

Outdoors, the property’s garage incorporates a first floor gymnasium, whilst the bake house has been converted into an office and store, but would suit conversion into a teenager annex.

With professional landscaping works of £25,000 now completed, the property boasts not only formal gardens, but a kitchen garden and mature orchard too.

Caroline is a keen kitchen gardener and enjoys growing her own produce to then use during dinner parties for friends.

The family also keep chickens and enjoy the space the property afford both their animals and their now grown-up children Sophie and Joanne who have enjoyed family gatherings and long summers in the property’s gardens.

“However...” says Caroline, “André can’t just sit with the papers and a G&T. We’re currently in the process of building a place in Marrakech and have taken on another restoration project at nearby Langham.”

“The latter has a herd of 50 South Devons and property on the estate for our daughters and their families, who can look after the place whilst we’re away. As such, we’re seeking new custodians for Glebe House.”

To say the family will miss the Lincolnshire property is an understatement to say the least. The restoration of Glebe House has been an immense project both in terms of the scale of the building, and the need to do justice to such a historically rich listed and starred building and its impressive original features.

“It’s a glorious building.” says Caroline.” “Living here day-to-day you forget, but when we return after being overseas we’re always reminded... absence really does make the heart grow fonder, and we’re very very fond of the house indeed!”