A Glue Tycoon’s Historic English Country House Near Cambridge

Listing of the Day 


Location: Duxford, England

Price: £1.5 million (US$1.93 million)

Among the many interesting people to have lived in the historic Pynes House in Duxford was Norman de Bruyne, the glue tycoon who also designed the Ladybird monoplane in the 1930s. His wife, Elma, was a cellist and you can still see a recess in the sitting room floor that held her cello.

Their daughter, Anne de Bruyne, and her husband, Peter Fluck, lived in the adjacent Pynes Cottage for many years. Fluck was one of the creators of the TV show "Spitting Image," and it’s believed he designed the British satirical puppet show—hugely popular in the late 1980s and early ’90s—from the cottage.

The current owners bought Pynes House in 2005 and carried out a full refurbishment.

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"The house is truly immaculate," said Cheffins director Richard Freshwater, who is handling the current sale. "What’s so nice about the house is that it has a modern kitchen and bathrooms that are very much in keeping with the house."

"It’s a really nice detached Georgian house, which has really nice period features such as high ceilings and open fireplaces," Mr. Freshwater said.

Other historic details include molded corner cornices, the entrance portico around the front door and the windows, he said.

"It’s a very commutable house" to London or good for someone who can work from home because of the home office space created by the current owners, he said.

The two-bedroom Pynes Cottage is on a separate lot and available for £325,000 (US$417,000).

The Stats

The 2,800-square-foot main house has five bedrooms and three full bathrooms. The 1,050-square-foot cottage has two bedrooms. A 600 square-foot converted barn has two offices and a kitchenette.

Amenities

"The gardens are absolutely beautiful, meticulously maintained, with a sweeping gravel driveway," Mr. Freshwater said.

There is also a three-bay cart lodge for indoor parking.

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Talking Point

The house is Grade II listed and dates back to the 18th century when it was built by Reverend Pine, who also built the United Reformed Church next door. Grade II listed properties are protected by Historic England.

"Grade II means that the house is of historic importance, with very good positive control on what can be carried out on the house," Mr. Freshwater said. "They’re keen for these houses not to be ruined."

Neighborhood Notes

Duxford is seven miles from the market town of Saffron Walden and 10 miles from Cambridge. The nearest train station is Whittlesford, which is only one mile away and has services direct into London Liverpool Street in one hour. Duxford is home to the famous Imperial War Museum and is surrounded by pretty countryside.

Agent: Richard Freshwater, Cheffins

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