Property description
Built in 1503, this charming, three bedroom family home is one that you simply cannot fail to fall in love with. Overflowing with character and original features at every turn and country style Aga kitchen/breakfast room, its centuries’ old rooms have seen much over the years. Once two properties, it still bears the signs of one former use as a saddlery and stables; its lovely deep bay with charming window seat, a constant reminder of its role as shop. Such is its central village location, that you have everything on the doorstep, with lovely views of the church spire and green, which borders the garden where you also find a fine decking area – perfect for that early evening aperitif!
Centuries of Charm
Such is the allure of this property, that it took the current owner quite by surprise when he was initially persuaded to view, as we hear, “I had no intention of moving, and had just been further convinced of that with a previous viewing. However, literally the minute that I stepped inside this house, I fell in love with it, and saw myself at home. It was that immediate!” In fact, as you face the property front on from the road, you can see its importance in historical terms, and as such, the owners are often updated with new snippets of information on its role in the village, as we hear, “The house features on lots of postcards of Danbury, and is considered an iconic building in the village. There are tunnels underneath that were used as secret passages by the priests, and we have it on good authority that this property sits at the highest point in Essex.”
The front door is little used, but its original light fixture and bell sets the tone of what you discover within, which in the case of the owners, is generally via the back door, accessed from the side of the property. You step into a rear lobby, off which leads the study, a cloakroom and into the kitchen. “This is truly the heart of the house. “We spend lots of time in here. We love the limed beams, and the dappled light that comes in from both aspects. Everyone naturally gravitates to the Aga; and it’s a really social space, and good place to watch the world go by.” It has a lovely country feel about it, with a deep Belfast sink, a walk-in pantry, and a lovely mix of styles and colours evident. Eye-catching diamond patterned black and white tiles set off the lovely cream Aga, which sits within the original exposed brick recess. “The Aga throws out such a lot of heat, as does the wood burner in the sitting room, and having insulated all the external walls last year, we often choose not to put the heating on, as together these amply warm the downstairs.”
Trading Places
The sitting room is a superb space, and was another deciding factor for the owners when they first stepped into the room, “We fell in love with the sitting room straightaway, with its deep bay window – complete with window seat – and the beams the only divider between this and the dining room. It’s surprisingly quiet, and has such a history. Over the centuries, it has been a saddlery and harness makers, butcher and hairdressers.!” The beams criss-cross the room, and as its focal point, you have the enormous original inglenook fireplace, which is a real show stopper, as we hear, “Everyone gasps when they first set eyes on this room. And it’s a really great place to have Christmas, with the fire roaring, and the inglenook dressed with holly, it looks even more beautiful.” The dining room is a breath-taking space. Everywhere you look you see signs of its former life as a stables that formed part of the saddlery, and it is a room much loved by the owners, “The dining room has so many stories to tell. You can see the hooks on the beams which would have been in use when it was a saddlery, and the original south-facing stable door is magnificent and better still when it’s open in the summer and the light floods in.”
The first floor can be accessed via one of two staircases, one of which leads directly into the Master suite, a real bonus for the owners, as we hear, “With a young family, to have separate access to our bedroom avoids disturbing the children. I often dwell at the top of the stairs as it is here that you get the fantastic views out over to Chelmsford, and in the far distance you can see the twinkling lights of planes flying in Stansted. Being so high up, you really feel like you’re at the top of the world!” The exposed brick fireplace in the master suite is a lovely feature, as the owner adds, “To have this gorgeous chimney breast as a feature in our bedroom is brilliant. The room is capacious, and with built in wardrobes too, it’s a really super space.”A door leads through to one of the two bathrooms, and beyond you find yourself on the main landing, accessed via stairs from the rear lobby. This space also benefits from the chimney breast as a feature, and leads to the two further bedrooms, family bathroom and a really usefully positioned airing cupboard.
Perfectly Placed
The garden is delightful, with plenty of hard landscaping for the children to enjoy their wheels, and a sizeable grassed area, often set up for a game of badminton. It backs on to the church green, where you also find two parking spaces, a much prized asset, as we hear, “We are the only property to have two parking bays on the church green, and this is a real bonus. You have no issues with being laden down with shopping and buggies; it’s a short stroll from the house to the back gate.” Complete with summer house, the garden is L-shaped, and not directly overlooked, and has splashes of colour from a variety of shrubs, but its pièce de resistance has to be the raised decking, as the owner affirms, “We love the decking. Looking out over the church and the general surroundings, you really get that sense of how the village would have once been. It’s lovely and private, and a great area to sit back and enjoy a glass of wine.” In terms of the overall location, the owners cannot praise it enough, “We are opposite a gastro pub, down the road from an excellent school, local shops and sports centre, and have plenty of walks on the doorstep. If you go through the back gate you are out to the countryside in no time, and we love taking the children to Danbury Lakes and Country Park for a game of football and a picnic.” And in spite of its grade II listing, there is the opportunity to add two extra bedrooms, subject to final approval, but whatever you choose to do, rest assured that you will become part of the history of this stunning place.
Property Features :
- Grade II listed detached cottage in prominent Danbury location
- Reputedly the highest point in Essex with commanding views towards Chelmsford
- Many original character features including beams and fireplaces
- Large living kitchen with Aga
- Two spacious receptions plus study/office