Location

Braintree: 2 miles, Felsted School: 8 miles, Dunmow: 12 miles, Stansted Airport: 19 miles, Chelmsford: 13 miles. All distances approximate.

Oak Cottage is conveniently positioned along Panfield Road, between the villages of Panfield and Bocking. The property enjoys north-easterly views across the Pant Valley, with nearby access to an extensive network of public footpaths, providing excellent opportunities for walking and exploring miles of open countryside.

The area is well connected, with convenient access to the larger towns of Braintree, Great Dunmow and the city of Chelmsford. A comprehensive range of shopping and everyday amenities can be found in Braintree, which also serves as a local hub for services and facilities.

Families are well served by a variety of educational options, including highly regarded independent schools such as Gosfield School and Felsted School, as well as a selection of primary and secondary schools within the state sector.

For commuters, regular train services to London are available from nearby Braintree, Witham and Chelmsford stations. Road connections are also excellent, with the A120 offering swift access to the M11, linking to London and Cambridge. In addition, Stansted Airport is easily reached, making travel convenient.

Description

Believed to date from the 16th century and sympathetically updated in more recent times, this thatched cottage offers a wealth of period features typical of properties of its age. The well-arranged accommodation is set over two floors and occupies an established plot of approximately 0.65 acres. The grounds are thoughtfully landscaped to create distinct areas of interest, including generous garden space ideal for families seeking a secure environment. The property is further complemented by a driveway and a detached double garage.

The house will appeal to buyers looking for a comfortable family home with the flexibility to work from home, with potential for a garden office within the orchard or elsewhere on the grounds. The current owners have also previously explored the possibility of running a cattery from the property. Its location also makes it attractive to those requiring convenient access to the M11, Stansted Airport, and rail services to London.

In addition, the property may suit professionals working in the Canary Wharf area who are seeking a country retreat with space to entertain and enjoy outdoor amenities. London is approximately an hour away by train, slightly longer by car, with the M11 and Stansted reachable in around 20 minutes.

The ground floor comprises an entrance lobby opening into a welcoming hallway, which leads through to a comfortable sitting room featuring a curved window with delightful views over the garden. This room also hosts one of two staircases and includes an attractive redbrick fireplace with an inset multi-fuel stove and a discreet storage cupboard to the side.

A generous dining room enjoys a north-easterly aspect and includes a tiled floor and its own fireplace. This room provides access to the second staircase, which leads directly to the principal bedroom suite. From the dining room, there is also access to a bright breakfast room, which adjoins a well-proportioned kitchen. A separate utility area offers practical storage and space for appliances. A family bathroom is conveniently located on the ground floor.

Upstairs, the first floor offers three well-sized bedrooms. The principal bedroom (Bedroom 1) features access to a generous dressing room - ideal for use as a nursery, home office or 4th bedroom - and includes an en suite WC. Bedrooms 2 and 3 are characterful rooms, each independently accessed from the second staircase via a small landing. Bedroom 2 benefits from its own shower, vanity unit and w/c.

Outside
Externally, the property is accessed via a driveway located on the eastern edge of the plot, leading to a detached garage measuring approximately 4.86m x 6.06m (15'11" x 19'11"), ideal for workshop, parking or additional storage.

The gardens have been thoughtfully landscaped and begin with a productive kitchen garden, which includes a chicken coop and a variety of raised beds, all bordered by mature planting that offers a sense of natural seclusion. To the rear of the cottage, a charming courtyard provides a private seating area, which sweeps around to the front of the house.

Beyond this, the grounds open into two further garden sections: an expanse of lawn bordered by deep, well-stocked flowerbeds that offer year-round colour and interest, and an orchard area accessed via a gate. This final section features additional lawn space and a timber-framed outbuilding with power and light, offering excellent potential for a studio, workshop, or garden office.

In all, the grounds extend to about 0.65 acres.

Services
Mains water, electricity, oil-fired central heating. Private sewage treatment plant.

Directions

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