5 Bedroom Detached House, School Lane, Chittering, Waterbeach, CB25

A period home brimming with history, character, and charm, The Old Schoolhouse in Chittering is a remarkable conversion of the original Victorian school and schoolmaster’s house, dating back to 1877. Once designed to educate 54 children, attendance dwindled to just 19 by 1938, yet the school remained in use until 1969. It has since lived many lives—including an antique shop—before becoming the warm and welcoming family home it is today.

From the moment you step through the huge oak front door, you are welcomed into a world where history meets homely comfort.

Inside: A Celebration of Character

Originally where lessons were taught, the vast, vaulted School Room is now the heart of the home and incorporates a large and practical kitchen. Three to four metre high arched windows with painted wooden shutters flood the room with light, highlighting the exposed brick walls and painted wooden floors. The four-oven Aga sits proudly beneath a quartz worktop, while the wood burner set into the original fireplace and traditional radiators whisper tales of the past. The space flows seamlessly into the large courtyard, around which the property wraps, for easy indoor-outdoor living.

A delightful surprise is the fully equipped bar with brick-floor and timber beams and a quirky feature bike rack setting the perfect scene for relaxed entertaining. Above, a timber staircase leads to a parquet-floored mezzanine, ideal for additional seating, reading, or display.

For practicality, the boot room off the kitchen provides access to the driveway, garage and garden beyond.

The main hallway, with its original brick floor, boasts a five-metre-long settle, sash windows, and a traditional cast iron radiator, also opening out onto the courtyard.

A brick-floored inner hallway features a large tool cupboard, while the utility room keeps everything in order with its terracotta tiled floor, controls for the biomass heating system, large butler sink, sash windows, and drying rack.

The living room, with its wooden floor and courtyard access, leads into the conservatory and sunroom, offering four aspects with stunning views of the garden and courtyard. A bright, airy space for every season.

Currently used as an office but the perfect space for sleeping accommodation, bedroom five provides a flexible space for work or rest. The downstairs bathroom next door is a showstopper, with feature arches, stained glass, WC, basin, and shower.

The huge music room, with wooden floor, stained glass doors, a variety of traditional window styles and leading to a further studio, is an inspiring creative space.

Upstairs: Full of Nooks, Charm & Character

There are two stairwells, the first of which, with its arched windows and exposed beams, leads to a galleried landing from which the extensive upstairs accommodation can be reached.

The master bedroom with vaulted ceiling, exposed timber beams, Velux and elegant arched windows leads to an en-suite with a roll-top bath and over-shower.

The large family bathroom is a luxurious retreat with underfloor heating while the second bathroom, with a quirky blue mosaic tile floor and feature fireplace includes bath, WC and basin.

Three further generous size bedrooms provide charming and feature rich sleeping accommodation for the whole family with bedroom four currently being used as an upstairs snug!

The Courtyard & Exterior Spaces

This home truly embraces indoor-outdoor living, wrapping around a large central courtyard with patio, outdoor sockets, and a self-refilling water feature. The south wing is exposed brick, while the north wing is rendered and painted white, adorned with Russian Vine from spring to autumn.

The Garden, featuring a lovely Wendy House, is securely walled and fenced making it safe for pets and children alike and is an oasis of mature specimen trees, shrubs and lawn.

The Boiler Shed is of brick and timber construction with a clay-tiled roof, housing the impressive Ökofen biomass boiler (providing heating and hot water) and pellet hopper set up while railway sleeper raised beds and the greenhouse are ideal additions for the green-fingered.

The Bio-Digesting Sewage Treatment plant and 1,800 litre oil tank (supplying the Aga) are easily accessed but discreetly sited.

Parking, Garage & Annex Potential

There is parking for three cars on the gravel drive immediately adjacent to School Lane as well as space for one large vehicle on the gated and paved drive at the rear of the house.

A pretty garage building, built of brick and with slate tiled roof provides further storage space as well as bathroom and basic living accommodation above offering fantastic potential for further improvement and could function as an annexe, guest suite, further office or studio.

A Home Like No Other

The Old Schoolhouse is a rare and captivating find—full of quirky original features, welcoming spaces, and a rich sense of history. Whether you’re drawn to the soaring ceilings and arched windows, the warm wooden floors and brickwork, or the quirky touches like the feature gargoyle “Mick Casson”, this is a home that tells a story.

It has been loved and lived in, and now, it’s waiting for its next chapter to begin.

CHITTERING

Chittering is a small hamlet in Cambridgeshire, located approximately 7 miles (11 km) north of Cambridge and 10 miles (16 km) south of Ely. Positioned along the A10, it offers a peaceful rural setting while maintaining excellent transport links to nearby towns and cities.

Village Information
Chittering is a quiet and close-knit community, surrounded by picturesque fenland and open countryside. The area is known for its agricultural heritage and scenic landscapes, making it an attractive location for those seeking a tranquil village lifestyle. While small in size, Chittering benefits from its proximity to nearby villages such as Waterbeach and Stretham, where additional amenities and community events are available.

Primary education is provided in nearby Waterbeach, with secondary schooling options in Ely and Cambridge. The hamlet’s location along the River Cam also provides opportunities for outdoor activities, including riverside walks and cycling routes through the surrounding countryside.

Facilities
Chittering has a small number of local amenities, including a well-regarded farm shop that supplies fresh local produce. Residents rely on nearby villages and towns such as Waterbeach and Ely for essential services, including shops, healthcare facilities, and leisure options. The area is also home to a caravan park and camping facilities, making it a popular stop for visitors exploring the fens.

The nearby River Cam and surrounding countryside offer excellent recreational opportunities, with scenic walking and cycling routes. Waterbeach Fen and Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve are both within easy reach, providing further access to nature and wildlife.

Connectivity
Despite its rural feel, Chittering is well-connected, with the A10 providing easy road access to Cambridge, Ely, and the A14. Waterbeach railway station, just a short drive away, offers direct train services to Cambridge, London, and beyond, making the hamlet an appealing location for commuters seeking a countryside retreat with excellent transport links.