Having been under the same ownership for the last thirty years, this most attractive Grade ll listed, thatched cottage offers a wealth of superb period features including; exposed brickwork, ancient timbers and studwork throughout, latch and brace doors, an impressive inglenook fireplace in the main living room and the benefit of oil fired central heating. Nestled in a generous 0.57 acre plot, complete with an attached garage and stable block, it is surrounded by beautiful countryside, but is less than 4 miles from the thriving market town of Buntingford. If you like period properties, this one has to be on your list to view!
The Property - Creating a truly idyllic scene, there is something quintessentially English about a pretty thatched cottage and Mill End Cottage is one of the most picturesque properties in this beautiful rural hamlet, just to the north-west of Buntingford. Although you may feel miles away from anywhere, the market town of Buntingford is just a mere three and a half miles away, providing a traditional High Street with a variety of shops, pubs/restaurants and schooling for all ages.
This utterly delightful property is full of period charm and is believed to date back to the 16th century, when it was originally three farmworkers cottages. The house you see today would not be recognised by the original inhabitants, however much of the original and notable character is everywhere you look, including exposed brickwork, ancient timbers and studwork throughout, latch and brace doors and an impressive inglenook fireplace in the main living room.
The interesting layout stems from when it was more than one dwelling and there are still two staircases. The first, from the main hall, leads up to a large dressing room with en-suite potential (subject to the usual planning permissions) with an interconnecting door to a double bedroom with vaulted ceiling and whilst quite unusual, this division of the upper storey can offer a welcome degree of privacy and separation if required. The second staircase gives access to two further double bedrooms, one currently utilised as the master bedroom, and a family bathroom.
On the ground floor and to the right of the main hall, there is a sitting room, a cosy space with multi-fuel stove. The rest of the cottage spans to the left where you are drawn into the main living room. Here you will find a magnificent inglenook fireplace, complete with large wood burning stove, brick bench and bread oven. Steps up lead on to the open plan dining area. The smaller room connecting the dining room to the kitchen functions very well as a breakfast room. From here, a small lobby takes you to a utility area and shower room and this is also where you will find the guest cloakroom/w.c.
Outside, the property sits well back from the road, nestled into its generous plot of approximately 0.57 acres. There is plenty to occupy a keen gardener, with a large greenhouse, with power connected, and ample space to 'grow your own' fruit and vegetables if that is something that appeals. The grounds however are easily maintainable, being mostly established, mature beds, trees and lawn.
An attached garage provides a home for the car whilst the grounds are also home to a large stable block, divided into four separate loose boxes.
Accommodation - Front door opening to:
Entrance Hall - Stairs rising to first floor. Two Radiators.
Sitting Room - 4.23m x 3.71 (13'10" x 12'2") - Window to front and door opening to rear garden. Brick built fireplace housing multi-fuel stove. Radiator.
Living Room - 4.94m x 4.87 (16'2" x 15'11") - Dual aspect windows to front and rear. Impressive inglenook fireplace with a fabulous log burner, brick bench and bread oven. Radiator. Step up and open plan to:
Dining Room - 4.48m x 3.29 (14'8" x 10'9") - Dual aspect windows to front and rear. Additional front door. Second staircase rising to first floor. Two radiators.
Breakfast Room - 3.62m x 2.20m (11'10" x 7'2") - Window to front. Door to inner lobby. Open plan to:
Kitchen - 3.90m x 2.27m (12'9" x 7'5") - Fitted with a range of wall and base units complemented by granite worksurfaces. Butler style sink. Built-in under counter fridge and freezer plus a slim-line dishwasher. 'Stanley' range cooker which also supplies central heating throughout.
Utility Room/ Shower - Space and plumbing for washing machine and stacked tumble dryer. Fully tiled shower cubicle. Radiator.
Cloakroom/W.C - Low level w.c and wall mounted wash hand basin.
First Floor - From the staircase in the main hall stairs rise to:
Dressing Area - 3.98m x 3.08m max (13'0" x 10'1" max) - Windows to front and rear. Radiator. Vendor advises that there is an option to possibly create an en-suite facility here. Door to:
Bedroom - 4.37m x 2.91m (14'4" x 9'6") - Twin windows to side aspect and small window to front. Radiator.
First Floor - Accessed via the second staircase in the dining room up to a landing area with a window to the front.
Bedroom - 3.67m x 3.65m (12'0" x 11'11") - Dual aspect windows to front and side. Radiator in decorative cover. Comprehensive range of built-in bedroom furniture. Recessed airing cupboard.
Bedroom - 4.01m x 2.96m (13'1" x 9'8") - Dual aspect windows to front and rear. Radiator. Vaulted ceiling.
Bathroom - Panel enclosed bath, Pedestal wash hand basin. Low level w.c. Radiator. Window to rear.
Exterior - Mature plot of approximately 0.57 acres.
Garage - 4.43m x 2.83 (14'6" x 9'3") - With double doors, power and light connected. An under cover area to the side leads to useful woodsheds, sub-divided into three sections.
Stable Block - 12m x 3.6m approx. (39'4" x 11'9" approx.) - Sub-divided into four loose boxes. The garden plot behind was formerly used as a grazing/paddock area.
Agents Note - Due to the properties age and origins, viewers are asked to be aware that there are some quirky features here that are often associated with period homes. There are steps up and into some of the rooms, taking into account original beams and also some restricted headroom in places.
Location - The property stands in a rural position in Mill End, a small hamlet close to Sandon, approximately three to four miles to the north west of the market town of Buntingford that offers a range of excellent local amenities including independent shops, supermarkets, restaurants, wine bar and butchers. Buntingford also benefits from regarded schools for all ages. Vehicular access from Buntingford is via the A10 which is close by, giving access to both Cambridge in the north and the M25 and London to the south. Railway stations are available at Royston in the north (London's Kings Cross), Stevenage in the west (London's Kings Cross) and in the south from Ware and Hertford serving London Liverpool Street and King's Cross.
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