Upon her initial venture into Ashton Lodge, the proprietor was immediately captivated by the 18th-century farmstead and recognised it as the perfect family residence. The lodging’s historical features coupled with antiques the owner had a fondness for. The commodious inside also granted her with the space to host an abundance of gatherings for special events.
Contrary to the external view, Ashton Lodge offers far more than a quaint country cottage. Stepping through the entrance, you’re greeted by an inviting hallway with limestone flooring and uncovered wooden beams, leading into a residence that boasts an impressive 3,175 sq ft (295 sq metres) of space. Its charming, period character is undeniable and deceptive. The original compact two-floor structure, constructed around 1780, was previously built on farmland, and the neighbouring residence was formerly a farmhouse. The most recent extension to the lodge took place in the early 2000s, but this doesn’t add a modern flair to the vintage property: from the raw granite walls and traditional wooden roof supports to the limestone flooring and cast-iron heating elements, everything aligns with the pastoral aesthetic.
A beautiful hardwood door with intricate stained-glass features adorns the entrance hall, revealing a duotone Italian marble flooring, a French-made cast-iron radiator, as well as cloak and beneath-stair storage. On the right, a snug family room welcomes you, exhibiting an open fireplace with a wooden mantel and granite base, raw granite walls, brickwork details, and picturesque windows situating on the front and side. Guest facilities include a vintage wash basin and a cast-iron Hammond cistern which is a rare sight these days. A study room, offering a scenic view of the front garden through a picture window, serves as a remote working area for the owner, and comes with a built-in desk, storage, and open shelves.
As you transition from the inner hall through two sets of doors, you land in a spacious interconnected arrangement of rooms starting from the living/dining room, progressing to the kitchen/breakfast zone and culminating in the garden/party area. All of these sections of the house are extensions but have been meticulously designed to maintain and accentuate the authentic feel of this historically rich property, with the natural essence of walnut flooring and raw wooden beams adding to its rustic charm.
The living and dining area features a large fireplace, intricately outlined with a wooden mantel and bricks, a raised limestone hearth, and a traditional solid fuel burner. French-style doors set into a bay window grant access to a lush garden and patio to the rear, while double-paneled glass doors serve as an entrance to the aptly designated garden/party room that has witnessed numerous joyous gatherings over time. This party room boasts a high-vaulted ceiling, adorned with wooden beams, a unique fanlight and flooring made from Canadian maple timber. The entire room is enveloped by windows, inviting natural light, and back garden access is conveniently facilitated by double doors.
Adjacent to this, through an open archway, is the kitchen and breakfast nook. A diverse array of overhead cupboard units, drawer spaces, plate racks, and wine holders furnish this space. Against the background of an arched, brick outline, a Stanley cooker is installed, in addition to a five-ring Neff gas hob, accompanied by an extractor fan, double Neff ovens, integrated microwave, and an expanse American fridge-freezer. The countertops are exclusively wooden and a large Belfast sink adds to the vintage aesthetic. The room beside the kitchen serves as a spacious utility room, complete with vaulted ceilings, integrated storage, and ample overhead space. This area also houses the hot press and gas boiler, and is comfortably equipped for laundry necessities.
The upstairs of the house encapsulates five double bedrooms, all with polished wooden flooring and exposed beams, with vaulted ceilings enhancing the grandeur of three. The most striking feature of the master bedroom is the vaulted ceiling, and the adjoining en suite bathroom equipped with a brass four-jet shower system and marble tile flooring similarly boasts a vaulted ceiling. The bedroom also features a walk-in wardrobe with built-in shelving and ample hanging space. Also, bedroom number four, currently purposed as a dressing room, can be accessed directly from the master suite. The main communal bathroom adorned with a vaulted ceiling, exposed beams and a free-standing vintage bathtub with brass fittings, sourced from architectural salvage. Additionally, the main bathroom and en suite incorporate a traditional element with their cast-iron cisterns.
The capacious rear garden boasts an optimal southwesterly orientation and offers a fulfilling sense of seclusion. It is surrounded by pathways and well-established floral arrangements. The yard also includes a gravel terrace that functions as a sun absorber, alongside a mature oak tree, a cobblestone patio, an arched gazebo, and a garden storage room. The front area provides pebble-covered parking space for multiple vehicles, adorned with a coarse granite wall and developed flora. Ashton Lodge occupies a key location, nestled right in the middle of Sandyford and Stepaside villages. Furthermore, it is conveniently only a short four-minute stroll away from the Glencairn Luas stop.