For Sale3 Bedroom Detached Cottage in Baytree Cottage, Chapel Road, Ridgewell, Halstead, Essex, CO9£450,000

Located on a quiet lane in the heart of the pretty village of Ridgewell, Baytree Cottage is a charming Grade II listed detached thatched property, with views overlooking the village green and within walking distance of the well-regarded village pub. Dating back to the 1600s, the cottage benefits from a wealth of original features throughout, including exposed timbers, brick paver floors and a beautiful inglenook fireplace. Having undergone a complete refurbishment ten years ago, overseen by Historic England, the cottage now offers contemporary living in an historic setting. Enclosed by picket fencing, mature hedging and shrubs, the pedestrian approach to the front door is through the pretty front garden but the more popular access to the cottage is via the secluded south facing garden and driveway, to the side of the property. Off street parking is set behind a five-bar gate which leads into the English country style garden and onto the sun terrace, with access to both the kitchen and the dining room. On entering, the cottage opens up into a bright kitchen/diner with shaker-style cabinets and granite work surfaces, central island breakfast bar, traditional butler sink, and a fabulous Elan Rangemaster with induction hob. An adjoining utility room houses the white goods and also acts as a boot room. Moving through to the front of the house the large sitting room, with original brick paver floor and impressive inglenook fireplace and log burner, has views across to the village green, with access to the front garden via a traditional front door. Leading off the sitting room is a cosy, double aspect snug, which could be utilised as an additional bedroom if required. To the rear of the property is a delightful family bathroom with traditional roll top bath and shower; and a spacious, light-filled dining room with views across the garden and french doors opening out onto the sun terrace. This unique cottage benefits from two staircases, each leading to a bedroom on the first floor. The stairs to the master suite are accessed from the kitchen and open out into a spacious landing, with room for storage and a contemporary ensuite shower room. The master bedroom is housed within the eaves with a tall pitched ceiling and skylight; a quirky ceiling joist running across the width of the floor, neatly separates the sleeping area from the dressing area. The second bedroom, with views across the garden, is located to the rear of the property and is accessed via the staircase leading from the dining room. At the turn of the stairs is a charming landing which is currently used as a small office area. The bedroom is once again housed in the eves, with exposed brick chimney breast, and ample space for storage. The bedroom is serviced by the ground floor family bathroom. The outside space is a delight; the well-maintained garden is enclosed by picket fencing, mature hedges and shrubs, affording it privacy and seclusion from the lane, with various seating areas to catch the sun throughout the day. ==================== We had been living in Ely, Cambridgeshire, for a number of years, when we decided we had had enough of town life and wanted to move to a quieter, more rural setting. I was still regularly commuting to London at the time so we started searching for a village location, with good commuter links to London, when we finally stumbled across Ridgewell, deep in the Essex countryside. We were immediately taken by the quintessential charm of an old-fashioned village, with its central village green, popular local pub and beautiful Norman church. Over the past nine years we've met many 'villagers' who have lived in Ridgewell all their lives, attending the village primary school, and never feeling the need to leave the friendly community and this beautiful part of Essex. Once I had confirmed I could get a train to London in an hour we knew we had found our next home with the best of both worlds – the countryside on our doorstep with fantastic walks from the centre of the village, but with direct links to the city. Baytree Cottage is such a unique property, we fell in love with it on sight. Built in the 1600s it has a wealth of history within its walls, full of charm and traditional features with its exposed beams and thatched roof but internally it has been sympathetically refurbished with a contemporary design. Ten years previously, the house was sadly damaged by an accidental fire and, overseen by Historic England, the property was carefully restored, using all traditional methods and materials, to bring it back to its former glory. The thatched roof was replaced, walls insulated and new floors, kitchen and bathrooms were installed. We therefore walked into a wonderful newly refurbished property with no work required! That being said, the garden needed a lot of work and over the years we've planted and created a country garden with a secluded terrace to the rear where we spend most of our time. The 'long' part of the house is south facing with large windows, so it's bathed in light from dawn to dusk. We've spent many long summer days and evenings with friends and family, sitting in the kitchen or dining room, with the doors leading out onto the garden, enjoying the peace and the solitude. We're now thinking of retirement and we've therefore decided to move closer to the coast but there are so many aspects of this house and village we will miss when we leave. The open views directly onto the green, which is the pride of the village. The sense of community with everyone happy to stop and chat as we walk our dog, but mainly it will be the house. We have loved living in a house with such historic value and beauty, something which will be hard to replicate.