43 Hermitage Road
Hitchin
Hertfordshire
SG5 1BY
A truly unique period property located in the ever popular village of Walkern. Set within the glorious grounds of 'Walkern Mill' this cottage offers a wealth of versatile accommodation over 3000sqft with possibilities of incorporating a self contained annex. A viewing comes highly recommended.
Miller's Cottage is a truly unique property, which partly dates back to the 1600's, and is surrounded by field and garden views. It is located in the sought after village of Walkern in Hertfordshire.
Walkern is set amongst beautiful countryside and is only a few minutes' drive to many town amenities including high street stores, shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. Stevenage station is in easy driving distance providing fast and frequent services to London Kings Cross.
The village itself is surrounded by stunning countryside and has its own petrol station, shop, park and two pubs and also an award winning tea room.
INTERNALS From the spacious entrance hall, there are doors leading to the dining room, cloakroom, kitchen and utility room and also to the rear hallway.
The dining room has a carved oak staircase to the first floor, a built in wine store, real oak floorboards, an Arts and Crafts style working fireplace and dual aspect windows to the front and rear. The rear window is a large picture window with a beautiful garden view. There is also a door leading to the sitting room.
The sitting room has an open brick fireplace, dual aspect windows, a door to the rear garden and a large built in cupboard.
In the kitchen, there are a generous number of wooden low level built in units and drawers with solid maple work surfaces, an Aga, an inset sink with a waste disposal, a separate gas and electric hob and a window to the front.
The utility room has low level units, a built in double oven and grill, a set in Belfast sink and a window with field views.
The study has built in cupboards and two windows with garden views.
The family bathroom has a bath with shower, a hand basin, a WC and a window with field views.
The large garden room has dual aspect windows, French doors to the garden and a door leading to the workshop and store.
The workshop has a full height ceiling, a coal store with delivery hatch, a window to the garage drive and a door to the rear garden.
The first floor landing is currently used as a study area and has a full height vaulted ceiling and dual aspect windows to the front and rear. This leads to three double bedrooms, a separate WC and a further family bathroom.
The large master bedroom has an En-Suite with wash basin, bidet and shower. Bedroom 2 has a vaulted ceiling and bedroom 3 a washbasin. All the bedrooms have beautiful views of the garden or fields or both.
EXTERNALS There is a private rear garden mainly laid to lawn with two separate patio areas. To the front there is an additional enclosed garden with a hedge boarder and a tiled path leading to the front porch.
The occupier also enjoys the shared use of the tremendous communal grounds along the bank of the River Beane which incorporate Walkern Mill which has two large apartments and a small one bedroom flat.
The property also has a double garage and an additional single garage to the rear with a driveway for at least three cars and a rear gated entry.
OWNERSPASSAGE We were initially attracted to the spaciousness of the property, the rural setting and that we could have a lot of garden space without having to look after it all ourselves.
The cottage is Grade II listed, partly dating back to the early 1600's and cased in brick in the mid 1800's and although the property is partly timber framed, there is a lot of very versatile space. A large picture window overlooks the back garden and there is a unique Arts and Crafts style working fireplace in the dining room. The stairs are also carved in an Arts and Crafts style by a previous owner who, incidentally, was a test pilot for de Havillands.
Our freehold garden is a delight with one end for sun and one for shade at different times of day. There is also a large shared lawn area some 100 yards along the river with ducks, moorhens, heron, kingfishers and the occasional egret.
When we bought the property, it was previously used as a 5 bedroom house but we needed only 3 and used the other downstairs bedrooms as a study/music room and a garden room/studio for painting. My wife also had a pottery wheel and kiln in the store. The house works perfectly in either configuration.
We have an excellent village shop and post office, two pubs, a garage for fuel and repairs, an art gallery and an award winning and locally renowned tea room. The house is just 3.5 miles from Stevenage mainline station with fast trains to Kings Cross/St Pancras taking 26 minutes and the A1M is only 4 miles away. We are more or less midway between Luton and Stansted Airports.
My favourite room is the large, spacious and welcoming dining room. This room is central to the house and is entered from the front door with access to the sitting room and stairs and also the rear entrance hall and kitchen. On my 80th birthday we had a formal party and seated 28 on one long table in this lovely room.
I particularly like the views of the garden and fields from nearly every window and there are rural walks right from the front door.
Part of the house could be used as a self-contained annexe. There could be a spacious sitting room with views of the garden, a bedroom, a bathroom and a galley kitchen could easily be accommodated in its own hallway.
Having lived here for 29 years I now need to downsize and be closer to my son and daughter-in-law. I will miss the space in the house, the beautiful dining room, the large garden and I know that when the time comes I will be very sad to leave.
Although these particulars are thought to be materially correct their accuracy cannot be guaranteed and they do not form part of any contract.
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