Lower Shelton Road, Marston Moretaine, MK43

Three-Bedroom Converted Chapel with Garden Studio in Marston Moretaine

Few homes offer anything close to this. Converted from an 1858 chapel and extending to over 2,700sq ft, The Old Chapel is a striking and genuinely individual home where soaring ceilings, exposed brickwork, and original arched windows meet a considered contemporary finish. Light pours in from every elevation, the accommodation flows around a dramatic double-height living space, and a south-facing garden with its own studio and sauna completes a property that simply cannot be replicated.

Ground Floor

An entrance vestibule opens into the heart of the home, and the effect is immediate. The sitting, dining, family and kitchen space extends to nearly 36 ft by 32 ft, rising the full height of the building with exposed steel beams, original cast-iron columns, and vast expanses of exposed brick giving the room genuine architectural drama. A striking white spiral staircase rises through the centre of the space, whilst engineered oak flooring runs throughout and mood lighting allows the whole atmosphere of the room to shift from bright and sociable to warm and intimate. The kitchen is set within this space and was recently renovated, fitted with solid wood worktops and shaker cabinetry against a backdrop of exposed brick. A long breakfast bar seats three, and appliances include AEG ovens and induction hob, a Samsung American fridge freezer, a boiling water tap, and a water softener. Patterned floor tiling defines the cooking area, adding character without interrupting the flow of the room. To one side, the living area centres on a contemporary wood burner set against the brickwork, with sliding glass doors opening onto the covered terrace. A separate dining area sits beneath the mezzanine, and glazed oak doors lead through to a study/snug, an ideal quiet room for home working. A utility room provides practical storage alongside a ground floor WC. Individually controlled underfloor heating runs to every room, and fibre broadband serves the whole property. Colour-changing lighting is set along the length of the exposed beams and can be adjusted for both shade and brightness, allowing the whole character of the space to change from bright and sociable to soft and atmospheric, whilst an electric blind provides shade to the tallest glazing.

First Floor

Reached by the spiral staircase, the first floor is arranged around a glass-balustraded mezzanine overlooking the living space below, an unusual and rather special arrangement that keeps the whole home connected. The principal bedroom is an exceptional space extending to over 23 ft, with a vaulted ceiling and exposed arched trusses, arched windows to two elevations, and French doors with a Juliet balcony framing open field views. A walk-in wardrobe and a generous en-suite complete a suite that feels every bit the retreat. Bedroom two is a comfortable double at over 14 ft with its own en-suite shower room, whilst bedroom three offers similar proportions at over 14 ft, again with en-suite facilities. Each is finished with contemporary marble-effect tiling, illuminated mirrors, and walk-in showers. Running the full length of the chapel and measuring 4.7 metres wide, the loft offers a considerable volume of additional storage, unusual for a property of this type and a genuine practical asset.

Outbuildings

A standout addition is the timber garden studio, built by the current owners and currently used as a yoga studio. Beamed, insulated, well lit, and warmed by its own underfloor heating, it is a genuinely year-round space rather than a summer one, with a covered veranda running along its length. It works equally well as a home office, gym, treatment room, or creative space, offering proper separation from the main house. Another addition to the garden is an outdoor sauna, a real luxury and one that makes full use of the garden through the winter months. The garage has been partially sectioned to create a separate outside office, giving a second dedicated work space entirely away from the family areas, with the remainder providing secure storage alongside an adjoining wood store. A greenhouse completes the garden offering for keen gardeners.

Outdoor Living

The south-facing garden enjoys sunshine throughout the day and has been designed for outdoor living from end to end. A wide covered veranda runs along the rear of the house, sheltering a seating area that connects directly to the living space through sliding doors, whilst artificial lawn and a Gabion feature wall create a low-maintenance and contemporary setting. Raised beds, established climbing plants including a mature passionflower, and a paved pathway lead down the plot. Beyond the garden, a rear gate opens directly onto open fields, giving immediate access to countryside walks. Solar panels installed by the current owners make a substantial contribution to running costs. The sellers report that, after powering the underfloor heating to the house and studio and running the sauna, the system covers their entire annual electricity usage and returns a profit of around £1,500 a year, an unusually strong position for a home of this size and a genuine draw for anyone weighing up running costs.

Location

Marston Moretaine is a thriving and friendly village with a genuine sense of community and an excellent spread of amenities within walking distance. A Co-op sits around 800 metres away for everyday essentials, whilst The Bell pub, Lounge India, and Moretaine Manor restaurant are all reachable on foot and well regarded locally. The Forest Centre lies close by via an underpass, offering woodland walks, a lake, and a café, alongside football pitches, a MUGA, a skate park, and playing fields. Cycling routes run in every direction, and open countryside begins at the end of the garden. Families benefit from catchment access to schooling in Marston Moretaine, Wootton, Stewartby, and Cranfield. Flitwick and Bedford stations both offer fast direct mainline services to London St Pancras, whilst Bedford, Milton Keynes, and Ampthill are each within thirty minutes by car, providing comprehensive shopping, dining, and leisure facilities. The A421 and M1 are readily accessible, making this an ideal base for commuters who want a distinctive home without sacrificing connectivity.