Open House Revisit Egloshayle Wadebridge

In our ‘Open House’ revisits, we meet the owners of some of the houses we have sold, to see why they bought them and how life has changed since! Here, we talk to Michele about the beautiful hidden gem she shares with her husband Nigel and their puppy Mollie, in the popular riverside town of Wadebridge in North Cornwall.

Michelle tells us: “We decided to make the move from Berkshire, to Wadebridge, following the move of our daughter, son-in-law and two young grandsons in September 2017.

Every morning when we wake up, we pinch ourselves and say, “we live here”!

We had many holidays in a Cornwall with the children over the years and it was somewhere we had always wanted to retire to, so we didn’t take much persuading!

We looked at several properties via Rightmove, but none gave us the small hamlet community we craved. We really needed a flat walk (10 mins max) of a town centre; a bus stop within 2 minutes and ideally a pub on the doorstep!”

What drew you to this particular property over all the other choices?

We were drawn to Alnut lodge by the advertising strapline – a peacefully positioned gem! This hinted it was secluded, but not too far from civilisation! The house itself offered us the space we needed and despite needing modernising throughout, we were up for a challenge!

It was just what we were looking for

The small village of Egloshayle, where the house is located, is just a short walk from Wadebridge town. The beauty of Egloshayle is clear to see with its pretty church and the river Camel being right on the doorstep, making it the perfect location. The house being in such a quiet place, hidden and unseen from the road, but with neighbours, meant we didn’t feel isolated. It was just what we were looking for.

What would you say was the ultimate wow factor?

For us, definitely the location, as well as the size of the property and value for money. We knew we had a lot of modernisation to carry out, but we were happy to do this in order to put our stamp on the house.

What work have you carried out to get the house just how you want it?

The kitchen had a wall dividing it from the dining room and was very dark with little natural light and very dark wood units, so we decided to take the stud wall down and make a super open kitchen/breakfast room with a large central island. We are delighted with the finished product and it makes a great family and entertaining space.

The lounge had a very large and dark stone fireplace with a small gas fire. We really wanted a wood-burner, so we had the fireplace removed and part of a wall and had a lovely wood-burner fitted.

The study became my craft room/art studio and as I’d wanted my own space for many years, I’m super happy with it too.

After decorating throughout downstairs, we had Karndean flooring fitted throughout which has proved invaluable with a puppy, grandsons and sand!

The two bathrooms were the original 1980’s colours of avocado and pampas, not our taste! So we had a new guest bathroom and en-suite shower both in white with grey slate effect flooring.

The gardens are a slow work in progress, but I’m loving seeing the amazing plants that grow in Cornwall due to the fantastic climate here. We have thoroughly enjoyed the whole modernising process and are thrilled with how it has turned out!

When you aren’t working on the house, what do you like to do in your spare time?

We love a visit to the beach with Mollie, our 5 month old English Springer Spaniel. Our favourite beach walk being from Daymer Bay to Rock. We also love walking into Padstow along the Camel Trail, having lunch at Prawn On The Lawn and getting the bus back home.

Our favourite restaurant is The Tiny Thai, their food is out of this world

Being foodies was another reason for moving to this area too, and the choice is fantastic in Wadebridge with an array of different cuisines from traditional to Indian and Chinese. Our favourite restaurant is The Tiny Thai, their food is out of this world and the staff are always so welcoming with big smiles!

How has life changed since moving to Cornwall?

Our life has changed beyond measure and every morning when we wake up, we pinch ourselves and say, “we live here”!

As we were moving such a distance, there were a few times along the sale and purchase that we doubted the move would ever happen because of delays.

We have to say that Harding Laity were always at the end of the phone and constantly keeping in touch with agents and solicitors to resolve issues, communicate and push the chain along. If it hadn’t been for their proactivity, our move may never of happened! Thank you!