1970s Alpine Lodge near Alford, Lincolnshire
You don’t need a time machine to go back 50 years. You need this 1970s Alpine Lodge near Alford, Lincolnshire, in your life.
I love this one, not just because it has that retro appeal if (like me) you love the 1970s. It’s also a substantial property that would lend itself well to modern-day living, albeit with more character than most houses out there today.
Alpine Lodge by name and, to some extent, by nature. Although the architecture is very much of the 1970s from the outside, the interior of this individually designed house has the look and feel of an opulent alpine retreat.
According to the agent, the house was ‘crafted to an exceptional standard by a renowned local builder’, taking on board a mix of Spanish and Alpine influences. This is the first time it has been offered for sale.
It would be a genuine shame to lose some of those bold design features, too. I’m not suggesting you keep it as it is, but it would be great to see someone work with some of what you see here.
The exposed brickwork, beams, fireplace, and general stonework certainly create a strong impression in the reception area and are, for me, very much part of the fabric of the house. It would lose so much if you removed all of that.
Those same features carry over into the kitchen, the dining area, the lounge, and that rather wonderful stairway. There’s also one of the coolest bar areas you’ll see for some time, too. Again, please don’t lose that – bars are very much back in vogue. And you would never replicate one like this, which hints at a Spanish cellar bar.
Of course, not everything has aged as well. The strong use of red both on the ceiling and floor isn’t really something you would see today. The carpets probably show their age, the kitchen might need an update and the bedrooms a freshen up too. Half a century is a long time, and not everything from the 1970s works today.
The large mural across from the bar, which sits in a ‘snug,’ might also be a contentious feature. Again, it would be a shame to lose it, but not everyone will appreciate it.
The bathroom is amazing and typical of a high-end space of the day. Straight out of a 1970s interiors magazine. How practical it is, I really don’t know, but it looks picture-perfect.
The retro aspect is a big draw, but so is the available space. This house sits on a 2.85-acre plot, so if you are looking for a property with land, this might make the cut.
There’s a lot of space inside the house, too, with a few features you might not expect.
The space within is rightly described as flexible but is generally laid out with an entrance hall, a lounge area, the kitchen, the dining room, a garden room, a shower room, and two bedrooms on the first floor.
Note that the garden room also provides access to the swimming pool, which isn’t small. It’s quite a large annexe with its own separate sauna and shower room. Why go on holiday when this is attached to your house?
On the first floor, you’ll find two additional double bedrooms, the main bathroom, and the property’s highlight. This spacious open-plan family room leads to the bar and balcony, which in turn offers panoramic views of the picturesque countryside surrounding the house.
Externally, the property is surrounded by well-maintained gardens, with a double-entry tarmac driveway leading to a double garage and carport. That’s right; if you love your cars, this will appeal to you.
The agent adds that the paddock beyond offers ‘ideal opportunities for equestrian activities’ if that appeals to you.
Big, bold, and with bags of character, this is just on the market. If you like the idea of a 1970s getaway in the country, it’s worth considering, with an asking price of over £500,000.
Images and details courtesy of Masons and Partners. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
