House For Sale £1,500,000
Widford

A Largely Extended Grade II Listed Five Bedroom Equestrian Property with 5.87 Acres and Located in the Glorious Ash Valley

What We Think at The Zoe Napier Group

The location of the property is divine, set in rolling countryside which feels as though you could be in the dales, protected from being in a conservation area and in a no-through lane that turns into bridleway and byway tracks. The area has a vast network of bridleways and country walks yet is only around 45/50 minutes door to door for London’s Liverpool Street.

What The Owners Say

We love it here, hence living here for nearly fifty years! where the children have grown up (and are now long gone with their own families). We are reaching that time to downsize. Nether Street is a unique, highly desirable hamlet and we have so much fun including an annual charity safari dinner. The area is so peaceful, especially with the views and sound of the running stream through the garden.

History & Background

A largely extended five double bedroom Grade II Listed Detached Cottage situated in the highly desirable hamlet of Nether Street protected through being a conservation area and it is not surprising why, given the visual splendour of the rolling countryside set into the Ash Valley.

The property’s layout largely resembles that of a ‘Long House’ still retaining a cottage ambiance, whilst having been vastly extended over more recent years to provide the combination of generous living spaces to support the five first-floor double bedrooms. The listing dates the property back to the mid-19th century, having originally been a pair of farm cottages and being noted in the listed entry as a ‘picturesque weatherboarded C19 weatherboarded house – part of a group in this part of the Conservation area.

Over the years our client has purchased additional acreage to create equestrian facilities. These include a stable block and a large part open barn. There are also two timber double garages and an air-source heated swimming pool for family fun. In addition to the 5.87 acres, our client owns one-quarter (between four residents) of the 6 acre meadow opposite the house with the intention that this land, which lies outside the conservation area, is protected from any development and used for the enjoyment of walking the dogs, also providing an annual hay yield and such with a public footpath running through to the village. This land can be offered with the property by separate negotiation. Buyers should further note that the connotations of a cottage mean that there are a couple of lower door heights and a couple of ceiling heights which might not suit tall people above 6 feet. The remainder of the property has standard ceiling heights.

Setting and Location

Nether Street is a unique location, described locally as a hamlet on the edge of the village of Widford, between Wareside and Much Hadham. The property is positioned on the picturesque roadside which is a quiet no-through country lane with around a dozen country cottages and houses. The lane continues into unmade tracks, one being a byway and the other one of a network of bridleways providing immediate off-road hacking.

The property offers extensive road frontage which continues up to the B1004 with gated road accesses. Adjacent to the cottage is an extensive area for parking and the grounds have many mature trees for natural shelter with a delightful running stream running through down to the tributary brook for the river Ash. The area is most scenic with wonderful country walks and within walking distance (30 minutes or so) of three villages, each with traditional pubs frequented by ramblers and the Fox & Hounds in Hunsdon has a Michelin Star rating.

Beyond the glorious countryside and attractive villages is access to Harlow Town where the Stansted Express train offers the speed and convenience to reach London’s Liverpool Street in approximately 33 minutes. Major road routes, including the M11 are easily accessible. For those with children, there are local village primary schools with senior and private education in Bishops Stortford.

Widford 0.4 miles* Hunsdon 1.6 miles * Wareside and Much Hadham 2 miles* Old Harlow 7.5 miles* Bishops Stortford 7.5 miles* Epping 13 miles (Central Line)

Ground Floor Accommodation

The property is usually accessed through the orangery from the driveway. The main front door lies on the south elevation with a small vestibule leading into the snug – a delightful room with an exposed brick fireplace with a roaring open fire, and as with many of the rooms, the snug enjoys a dual aspect. Stairs in one corner rise to the first-floor accommodation. Access leads to the spacious sitting room, which has windows to all four aspects and two pairs of French doors leading out onto the sunset terrace and the rear path. The room is L-shaped where a study area has been created and in the main part, a floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace houses a traditional wood burner. From the snug access leads to the walk-through dining room with views over the meadow opposite and access leads to the utility room and laundry cupboard, both housing white goods with cloak and boot storage, a rear external door and access to the ground floor W.C. Beyond the dining room is the country kitchen/breakfast room with a traditional Brittania Range Oven and granite worktops with an integrated fridge and dishwasher. The kitchen provides space for a breakfast table to seat four/six people and with stable door access into the pleasant orangery which benefits from having underfloor heating. Another lovely spot to sit with a morning coffee and overlook the mature gardens and running stream.

First Floor Accommodation

Stairs rise to the first-floor landing areas which in turn provide access to the five generous-sized double bedrooms each enjoying lovely views over the grounds and/or meadows and most have built in or fitted wardrobes. The main suite is also dual aspect overlooking the meadows in the valley. Access leads to a sizeable en-suite bathroom, also enjoying a view over the grounds. In addition, there is a separate family bathroom and a separate WC, alongside a separate shower room.

Gardens & Grounds

The property sits in just under half an acre of mature grounds which feature a number of established trees including those of Ash, Oak, Sycamore, Birch, and Horse Chestnut with a pretty, running stream, fenced for safety, dividing the driveway area with garaging from the main lawn. There are access bridges. The two double garages include one constructed with Cedar Wood with a cedar shingle roof and the other timber with an onduline roof. The gravelled parking provides space for several cars. The lawns enjoy the sunsets from the west where there is an outdoor heated swimming pool, fence enclosed for safety with a pool house housing the air source heater and pump etc. The lawns are interspersed with mature trees including a Weeping Birch and Acer, amongst established shrubs.

Equestrian Facilities

A path runs to the enclosed stable yard where there is an L-shaped block with power and water connected and a concrete hardstand to the fore. There are currently three full-size stables with another adapted into a workshop with bench and shelving and a further larger corner box, formerly used as a rug room with an internal lockable tack room. Four main meadows provide over five acres of grazing with interconnecting gates and two further gated accesses from both Nether Street and the B1004. In the second meadow is a large barn approximately 36 ft x 19 ft, part open fronted and great for forage/hay storage.

Agents Notes

• The property has three separate and adjoining title deeds. The main house with 0.42 acres HD374439. The adjoining 0.98 parcel HD107343. The remaining adjoining land as 4.47 acres HD108502. Buyers looking to acquire a mortgage to purchase must inform their financial advisor or lender that there is more than one title as this may affect the choice of lender.
• Grade II listing Entry 1176867
• See History & Background concerning one or two rooms having limited ceiling heights for people above 6 feet.
• Harlow North development will run up to the south side of Hunsdon village but does not expect to affect this property.
• Our client has completed a Propertymark questionnaire providing buyers with additional information. Please request this from the selling agent.

Services

Mains electricity

Mains water

Mains Drainage

Oil Fired Heating

 PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE FOR A FULL BROCHURE