The Old Vicarage, Ab Kettleby

Set behind timber gates at the end of a private drive, The Old Vicarage is a substantial Georgian residence dating from 1759, originally built to serve the neighbouring 13th-century church. This Grade II listed home has been carefully restored and reimagined to an exacting standard, balancing period architecture with refined craftsmanship and natural materials throughout, creating a house of presence, scale and enduring quality.
The Old Vicarage. Where Time Moves Softly.
A Grand Welcome
From the moment you step into the entrance hall, where flagstone floors glow under soft morning light and the oak handrail carries the touch of centuries, the home reveals its uncommon grace. The four reception rooms unfold with quiet elegance: shutters casting patterned shade, polished timber catching the glow of chandeliers and beams that hold the softened imprint of time. In the light filled orangery kitchen, daylight moves across painted cabinetry and herringbone floors, creating a space designed for gathering and living in equal measure.
Living In Light
At the heart of the home lies the kitchen and family space, where modern living has been woven seamlessly into historic form. Set within a light filled orangery, this is a room shaped by daylight. A full length lantern draws light from above, while timber French doors and tall glazing invite the garden in, allowing the day to move naturally through the space.Painted cabinetry, a central island and Karndean herringbone oak flooring create a kitchen that feels both refined and relaxed. Designed for everyday living. Long breakfasts, shared meals and unhurried evenings. The atmosphere shifts effortlessly from bright and open by day to soft and intimate by night through thoughtful lighting.
Practical spaces sit quietly alongside. A pantry. A cloakroom with exposed beams. A bespoke laundry and secondary staircase, once used by servants and now reimagined as part of the home's natural flow. Every detail has been considered, allowing the house to feel functional, comfortable and effortless without losing its soul.
Sweet Dreams
Upstairs, Georgian proportions reveal themselves in full. High ceilings create an unexpected sense of space, while original shutters replace heavy drapery, welcoming light each morning and closing gently at dusk. Linen pelmets, soft floor length curtains and window seat cushions add texture without excess. Five bedrooms unfold across the first floor, each with its own character. One currently serves as a dressing room, yet remains generous enough for a nursery or single bedroom. Built in wardrobes, carefully repainted and refitted, provide practical storage while respecting the age of the home. Underfoot, New Zealand wool carpets bring warmth and quiet. Karndean timber effect flooring continues through the landing and bathrooms, echoing the tones of the kitchen below. These are calm, restorative rooms. Spaces designed for rest, reflection and retreat.
The Coach House Retreat
Beyond the main house, the restored coach house offers a calm, self contained studio, its vaulted ceiling, exposed stone and beams transformed by the way sunlight drifts through bespoke timber doors and a high set roof window. It is a space for guests, work or multigenerational living, where texture and light elevate even the simplest moments.
Gardens Where Light Rests Gently
The south facing walled garden continues this theme of quiet beauty. Here, light reflects across the koi pond, warms the brick garden shed and filters through wildflowers that edge the paths. It is a garden to be lived in: morning coffee on the terrace, long summer afternoons and evenings that fade slowly into stillness.
Heritage with Modern Ease
Practicality is woven throughout with equal care, including a cedar three bay garage with EV charging, solar panels and extensive cobbled parking, along with a fully insulated wine cellar for those who appreciate the finer rituals of home. Despite its privacy, The Old Vicarage sits at the heart of Ab Kettleby, a peaceful village on the edge of the Leicestershire Vales with excellent road and rail links to London, Nottingham and Leicester.
A Home Shaped by Light and Time
A residence of rare character and considered restoration, The Old Vicarage is a place where history is honoured, materials breathe and light becomes part of the architecture itself. A sanctuary for those who value craft, calm and the quiet luxury of spaces shaped gently by time.