The Compasses is built of Northamptonshire stone with oak beams and a slated roof, in a central position in Silverstone village.
The earliest part of the building dates from late medieval times, when it was a farmhouse. Later it became a coaching inn, then a licensed pub, and was sold (to become a private residence) by Allied Brewery in 1970 to the current owner.
The house is L shaped with spacious rooms and thick stone walls. The internal area is 2950 sq.ft., excluding the cellar, storage barn and garage.
Entrance area – 15ft x 10ft
Family kitchen (to left of lobby) – 15 ft x 14ft Formerly the stable to the coaching inn, with Esse range (solid fuel Aga type cooker), cork tiles, extensive cupboards made from Victorian pine window shutters, and a second staircase to some bedrooms.
Reception / Family room 12ft x 14ft (currently a study, has been a dining room) leads right off the lobby area – with huge stone fire-place (with remains of a bread-oven), window seat, handsomely beamed ceiling
Shower room 10ft 3in x 7ft 9 in. (inc. separate WC ) - leading off this study. Heated towel rail, new pine floor, new double glazed windows.
Main Reception room 22ft x 14ft (formerly the main bar room in the inn) With impressive beamed ceilings, old quarry tiled floor, inglenook fire-place (chimney currently blocked for insulation), wood-burning stove and two window seats. The angled staircase leads to first floor. There is a children’s play-house under the stairs. This room is the oldest part of the house, dating from the early 17th century.
Workshop 19ft x 7ft 9in currently a work shop, ideal utility room. Extensive adjustable shelving. External door into garden. Modern (20thc) quarry tiled floor. There Is a separate shelved storage room. Installing French windows giving onto the lawn would not require planning consent.
Cellar 19ft 3in x 13ft 3 in – (steps down from the workshop area) containing central heating boiler (oil-fired) and log pile
Study/ reception room 19ft 3 in x 13ft 6in leading off the main reception room up a flight of 6 steps. New pine floor.
Large attic, approximate 30ft x 7ft off to the left of the staircase under sloping slate roof, so not standing height throughout! Useful storage, small window.
Spacious landing
Family bathroom 15ft x 12ft 6in Bath, lavatory, washbasin, small Victorian fireplace, large built-in cupboard for towels/ duvets etc, window seat. New pine floor. Victorian tiles as splash-backs.
Passage way with shelving (more storage!) out of bathroom into bedroom 1
Bedroom 1 15ft x 12ft 6 in Oak beams, window seat over-looking porch graveled yard and garden.
Bedroom 2 15ft x 11ft 3in (currently in use as darkroom, sewing room and laundry room) Pine floor, oak beams – wasted as a dark-room/laundry! Pine stairs lead back down to kitchen. There is a hot-water tank and immersion heater. The large Belfast sink was acquired in an interesting way - gained in a swap for two lettuces! The long window over-looks the village High Street.
Bedroom 3 11ft x 8ft 2in Overlooks village street –window seat, deep built-in cupboard which makes an exciting play area/ den for children!
Bedroom 4 15ft x 12ft 6in
Bedroom 5 19ft 3in x 13ft 6 in. Currently the master bedroom (was originally two bedrooms) Two windows, to East and West aspects. Handsome beams, high ceiling. Unusual free-standing built-in antique oak wardrobe (probably 18th century) it was hoisted into the room when the new pine floor was installed in 1970, and is too big to remove in one piece!
Large gravelled yard with paved areas. Room for 3 cars to park on the graveled area.
Bunker for solid fuel for Esse range (in kitchen)
Single garage (up and over door, stone walls, slate roof, end wall fully shelved)
Porch – stone-built, oak beams, slated roof and slated floor. The porch seats were once part of the pub bar-room furnishings.
Small paved area that captures the afternoon sun.
Lawn Garden 32ft x 27 ˝ ft The L shape of the house bounds a lawn and court-yard garden. Trellis screens a new oil tank trellis and provides extra external storage space. Paving from the house to the barn store-room (see below). There are some mature shrubs, including a holly tree and a white wisteria.
Barn store-room of 11 ft 6in x 15 ft a single-storey stone building, attached to end of house (locally known as a 'barn'). It has a slated roof extending from the house, further enclosing the lawn garden. The roof is high enough to install a mezzanine area, as part of a possible conversion into a self-contained studio flat. There is a concrete floor.
A pump was once housed here - the well-shaft to the underground stream is still there, and could even be brought back into use, by some dedicated enthusiast.
This store building also contains the old pub sign and its metal frame. These, I feel, belong with the house and will be passed to any new owner.
Greenhouse; 27ft x 7ft converted farm out-building with thick stone walls facing south, brick floor, staging and raised border. An excellent spot for coffee breaks, cold lunches and crossword puzzles!
Main garden; 55ft wide, 155ft long. Across the graveled area, a gated garden with some mature shrubs, including banana musa bajoo and a fruiting fig, a small orchard with daffodils and a quince tree, lawns, and a large productive vegetable plot with board edging.
Room for more trees and potential for adventurous design.
Council Tax Band = Band F