Location

Arkesden is a picturesque village in Essex, offering a quintessential English countryside experience. The village features a popular traditional pub, The Axe and Compasses, as well as a village hall which hosts various events throughout the year from fitness classes to quiz nights, a recreational ground and a church. The market town of Saffron Walden is approximately 5 miles away with further amenities available including grocery shops, cafes and restaurants. There is a thriving market which takes place every Tuesday and Saturday in the market square.

Arkesden sits in catchment for Clavering Primary School and Joyce Frankland Academy for secondary schooling in Newport. There are also further schools available within the independent sector for all ages, including Dame Bradbury's in Saffron Walden which feeds into the Stephen Perse Foundation school in the historic university city of Cambridge (17.2 miles).

For the commuter, Audley End station is 3.1 miles away and provides regular services to London Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale (with journeys taking from 50 minutes approx.) and Cambridge (20 mins approx.).

For road travel, the village is accessible via the B1038, which connects to the larger A120 and M11 roads, facilitating straightforward journeys to London, Cambridge and Stansted Airport (12 miles).

All distances and times are approximate.

Description

The Old Forge is a highly attractive early 18th century period home with a 15th century centre, rich in historic character and full of architectural interest. Formerly the working forge for the village, the property is timber framed with lathe and plaster, lime render and weatherboarding. The house also has a thatched roof (which is due for replacement in April), leaded casements and original detailing which emulate its long heritage. Offering over 3,500 sq ft of accommodation, together with garaging and mature gardens, it is a wonderful home in the heart of this sought after north west Essex village.

Entering through the front door you are struck immediately by the charm and character of the house with polished brick flooring and exposed beams. The ground floor provides a generous series of reception rooms, each displaying the distinctive charm of the house. A study to the left of the hall leads to a comfortable drawing room with views of the rear. To the right there is a wonderful snug with access to the cellar with an attractive inglenook fireplace and smoke hood. Beyond, a door leads through to the large dining room with views over the front drive.

The kitchen and breakfast area sits at the heart of the house, with further utility, WC and ancillary rooms positioned conveniently around the ground floor. With seven bedrooms and four bathrooms in total, the accommodation is exceptionally versatile and well-suited to family living, guests or multi generational living. The first floor can be accessed via two separate staircases, one from the entrance hall and another from the dining room.

The Old Forge retains many of the elements referenced in its listing description, including exposed timber framing, original plasterwork, historic doors and brickwork. The original Forge Room is a remarkable feature: a large, characterful space with a vaulted ceiling of exposed beams, historic timbers and the ambiance of its former life.

The gardens, extending to just 0.41 of an acre, are a delightful compliment to the house. A gravel driveway provides parking and leads to the front entrance, framed by mature planting and established shrubbery. To the rear, there are two patio terraces that offer a peaceful setting for outdoor dining, whilst the gardens open into well tended lawns, perennial beds and a variety of shrubs and trees. Several useful stores sit at the rear of the property, ideal for garden equipment or further ancillary use.