Location

Braintree: 3.9 miles, Chelmsford: 16 miles, Colchester: 14.3 miles, Felsted: 10.2 miles, Stansted Airport: 19 miles. All distances approximate.

Gardeners Cottage occupies a private setting within the historic village of Stisted. The cottage is situated within the former grounds of the Stisted Hall estate. Originally a property of Christ Church, Canterbury, the Stisted Hall estate was acquired by the Wiseman family in the mid sixteenth century. The principal house was rebuilt in 1822 with Gardeners Cottage being built the following year.

The property is discreetly positioned on the edge of Stisted - a charming traditional village set amongst open countryside on the southern edge of the particularly pretty Colne Valley. Stisted is a most attractive village with a wide main street and a vibrant community with a good range of amenities including a village shop, a public house, an outstanding primary school, the village church of All Saints and open playing fields. Braintree Golf Club is on the southern outskirts of the village.

The nearby market town of Braintree has a good shopping centre, including Braintree Village outlet, M&S, Sainsbury's and Tesco (around 2 miles), and there is a wider variety of shops at Colchester and Chelmsford with further schools at Gosfield, Felsted, Coggeshall and Braintree.

For the commuter there is a through train service from Braintree or Witham and there is access on to the A120 to the south of the village, which is dual carriageway from Braintree to the M11.

Description

Gardeners Cottage is an attractive, late Georgian house, occupying a peaceful setting within the former grounds of the historic Stisted Hall estate. Built in 1823, the cottage has an impressive red-brick facade, with an attractive slate roof. The property provides flexible accommodation, and in brief comprises four first floor bedrooms, two with en suite facilities in addition to a family bathroom. On the ground floor are three reception rooms and a garden room. A delightful kitchen/family room occupies the centre of the house. The property has been decorated in neutral tones with many of the principal rooms orientated to make the most of its charming peaceful setting.

Externally, there is a detached studio, providing self-contained living accommodation and a separate detached double garage.

Outside
To the front of the house and with its own Grade II listing status, is an ice house. Mainly red brick, with some white brick, covered by earth, this interesting, albeit largely inaccessible building was used to store ice throughout the year, commonly used prior to the invention of the fridge.

The gardens are a wonderful addition, providing a wealth of colour and interest, and extend to about 1.16 acres. The drive leads to the front of the house with adjacent double garage. Midway along the drive is an ice house with a Victorian well, which is located at the immediate front of the house. The gardens lie predominantly to the south and have been planted with a collection of trees, shrubs and flowers. The garden has been divided into several sections, providing areas of interest including a pond and a heritage red-brick wall as its backdrop. The studio sits to the west where there is a further small area of garden.

Services
Mains water, electricity and oil heating. Private drainage - system shared with Stisted Hall. The lane leading to the property is owned by Stisted Hall and although there is no formalised agreement, a contribution to the upkeep is generally required.

Local authority
Braintree District Council. Council tax band = G (with improvement indicator).

Directions

What3Words///smug.deals.insect