TILIA cordata is one of our stateliest trees. Better known as the Lime, it is traditionally associated with long straight avenues that emphasize the arrival at a country house.

And it’s been around a while. Indeed John Evelyn, in his Discourse of Forest Trees of 1662, noted that Hampton Court is as noble and uniforme a pile…planted with sweete rows of lime trees, and the canale for water neere perfected.

When they were laid out, these avenues emphasised the power of their owners. Limewood still has a use today, although perhaps somewhat less hierarchical. Its acoustic properties make this the material of choice for electric guitar bodies and wind instruments such as recorders.

So if you had one in the front garden, chances are you’d want to name your home Lime Tree House. Which is what the owners of this five double bedroomed property in Wheldrake did.

Framed by the grand old tree, the house stands attractively within its plot and enjoys a non-estate position. It was built to front onto North Lane by renowned local builder George Blades & Sons around 2009. Blades are master craftsmen and their homes are built to an extremely high specification of which the present sellers have enhanced further, stamping their own mark and presenting to a high standard.

As should be the way with such things, first impressions count. The external box is ticked as you draw up. This house is in a lovely situation and has kerb appeal by the bag full.

Then comes the all-important first impression as you open the front door. It doesn’t disappoint.

The reception hall has amazing Parador flooring that would do the job on its own, but then there is the hugely impressive cantilever staircase. It wouldn’t look out of place in one of those stately piles with the lime tree avenue.

A first class first impression.

The house continues to excite in the living room, which is centred upon a brick built fireplace, as it ought to, with a glowing gas fire, just the job for warming up a cold winter’s night.

The living room is also well apportioned, with wall lights, dado rail, coving, double door to the dining room and French doors leading to the garden.

There is a useful snug - we like those. This one has Parador flooring again and a storage cupboard. Then there is the office, which will be handy to know for anyone looking to work from home.

If that’s not enough wait ‘til you walk into the kitchen/family room. It’s the heart and soul of Lime Tree House, with all the wow factors you could ask for.

Stretching across most of the rear of the property and overlooking the rear garden, it is fitted with an exemplary German Kutchenhaus range of matching hi gloss base and wall mounted units incorporating complimentary roll top work surfaces, five ring electric hob, twin ovens, extractor fan, integrated larder style fridge, integrated dishwasher, double sink with mixer tap over, Amtico floor, spotlights to ceiling and window to rear.

The kitchen then leads you into the good sized utility area with integrated washing machine, integrated freezer, round sink with mixer tap over, recessed cupboard housing the central heating boiler, cloak cupboard, Amtico floor and spotlights to the ceiling. It too has a door to the garden.

The kitchen also opens directly into the family / day room which make it a great informal living space.

To the first floor is a galleried landing leading to the master bedroom with spotlights to the ceiling and a door leading to a superb en suite. This comprises a walk in shower, low level WC, wash hand basin, fully tiled walls and tiled floor.

Bedroom two has a fitted wardrobe, wood laminate flooring and spotlights to ceiling, while bedroom three and four also have fitted wardrobes, coving, laminate wood flooring and spotlights to ceiling. All have character sloping ceilings and good sized windows.

The family bathroom deserves a special mention with its modern white suite comprising panelled bath, wall hung toilet, wash basin set within vanity unit, walk in shower cubicle part tiled walls and vinyl flooring.

Built to be energy efficient, with solar panels plus under floor heating to the ground floor, Lime Tree House is set within a large plot with attractive lawned front garden. To the rear is a fully enclosed lawned garden with patio area, outside lighting and cold water supply.

The property benefits from a large brick out building with adjoining brick built under storage for two cars. Both buildings have pantile roofs, power and light. Furthermore there is a rear drive providing parking for several cars.

So a great place, don’t you think? And being just eight miles from York, the commute is a doddle. This house may not have an avenue of Lindens but that solitary Tilia cordata outside Lime Tree House is more than enough to emphasise the arrival at your very own country house – just on a far more manageable scale.

AT A GLANCE

Lime Tree House, Wheldrake

Reception rooms: 2, plus an office and snug

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 2

Gardens: Front and rear

Wow factor: The kitchen/family room

Price: £599,950

Contact: Churchills

Tel: 01904 646622