Location

Rands Cottage enjoys a charming setting along Rands Road in the desirable village of High Roding. This idyllic property sits within a small and peaceful cluster of houses, backing directly onto the picturesque High Roding cricket pitch, creating a wonderful open aspect and a sense of space. The surrounding area offers immediate access to open countryside, perfect for walking, cycling and equestrian pursuits.

Rands Cottage is located in the village of High Roding which includes a very popular pub – The Black Lion, a village hall and tea rooms. The property is exceptionally well connected to neighbouring areas. The nearby market town of Great Dunmow provides a comprehensive range of everyday amenities, boutique shops, cafés and restaurants, while the larger centres of Chelmsford and Bishop's Stortford offer extensive shopping, leisure and cultural opportunities.

Commuters are well served with frequent rail services into London Liverpool Street available from Chelmsford (approximately 12 miles), Bishop's Stortford and Stansted Mountfitchet. For international travel, Stansted Airport is conveniently located around 6 miles away, offering a wide range of destinations.

Families are particularly well catered for, with a number of highly regarded independent and state schools in the area. These include Felsted School, one of the region's leading independent schools, as well as King Edward VI Grammar School and Chelmsford County High School for Girls in Chelmsford. Bishop's Stortford is home to well-regarded schools such as Bishop's Stortford College and Hockerill Anglo-European College, while Great Dunmow offers a range of good local primary and secondary options, including Helena Romanes School.

Description

Rands Cottage is a charming period home, believed to originate from the early 19th century, with later additions. This predominantly timber-framed, unlisted property features rendered elevations beneath a tiled roof, and retains a wealth of character, including exposed timbers, studwork, wooden flooring and open fireplaces with a very stylish and contemporary twist.

Originally believed to have comprised two separate cottages, the property has been sympathetically transformed into a substantial and beautifully presented five bedroom family home, set within generous grounds and complemented by a collection of modern outbuildings.

The current owner has undertaken an extensive and carefully considered programme of modernisation throughout, incorporating a wealth of bespoke and practical features. Each room has been elegantly finished using Farrow & Ball palettes, blending period charm with high-end fittings from Jim Lawrence. Additionally, the windows and doors are predominantly crafted by Westbury, renowned for their quality.

Extending to approximately 5,600 sq ft in total, the principal house offers exceptional and versatile accommodation, ideally suited to modern family living and entertaining. The thoughtfully designed layout centres around a striking L-shaped kitchen/family room, while the main reception room opens directly onto a west-facing garden that wraps around the house. The accommodation is arranged over three levels with the creation of a loft conversion

To the east of the house, a range of outbuildings were replaced in 2016 to create high-quality garaging, storage and superb ancillary accommodation. This self-contained space is ideal for guests, multi-generational living, or as a dedicated home office.

Occupying a prime position with uninterrupted views over High Roding Cricket Ground, the property enjoys a wonderful open aspect and a strong sense of space. The grounds extend to about 2.5 acres, thoughtfully landscaped into a series of distinct areas. A detached studio sits in the north-eastern corner, while to the west, a small orchard/paddock with its own independent access from the road further enhances the flexibility and appeal of this exceptional home.

The property is approached from the front into a welcoming reception hall, which opens into a stunning kitchen/dining/family room featuring herringbone flooring and underfloor heating throughout. This impressive space has been cleverly zoned to offer exceptional versatility, ideal for both everyday living and entertaining. The kitchen is fitted with a bespoke range of light-coloured units, complemented by an informal breakfast bar and electric skylights that flood the room with natural light.

Adjacent to the kitchen is a practical boot/dog room, incorporating a large, low-level butler sink – perfect for washing dogs, muddy boots, or arranging flowers. This leads through to a fully fitted utility room.

The ground floor also features three further reception rooms, including a beautifully bright triple-aspect lounge with direct views and access to the gardens and surrounding grounds.

Upstairs, there are five bedrooms, one currently utilised as a dressing room, along with a luxurious family bathroom. Three of the bedrooms benefit from en suite facilities, while one of the rooms features an upper-level mezzanine-style space, and another a loft conversion accessed from an electrically-operated ladder, offering additional flexibility for a variety of potential uses.

Outside
Set back from a quiet country lane, the garden at Rands Cottage offer a low brick wall, neatly clipped box hedging and a pathway lead to the front door.

There are two electric-gated driveways providing access to a generous parking area, accommodating numerous vehicles and an electric charging point. This area also includes a garage with side-hung oak doors and a traditional cart lodge. Linked is the annexe with independent access from the drive. A useful log store and bike store room is tucked away to the rear, in addition to a larger store room to the immediate front.

The gardens themselves extend to the rear and side of the property. They are thoughtfully planted with a wide variety of specimen trees and shrubs, which provide colour and interest throughout the year. There is garden lighting to the trees and throughout the outside space. On the north-eastern edge of the plot stands a detached studio, currently used as a gym, with a terrace seating area positioned to the front. This modern building replaced an existing barn and would provide a wonderful studio or work-from-home space.

To the west, directly accessed from the principal reception room, is a private terrace with an electric awning and outside power points. This space opens onto a more formal lawned garden, where there's a large 'Breeze House' – perfect for al fresco dining and entertaining, along with a jacuzzi (both available by separate negotiation)

Beyond this, a paddock area offers further appeal, particularly for those with equestrian interests with power connected and an independent drive from the B184.

Neat hedging and post-and-rail fencing define the garden's boundary and provide an attractive separation from the adjacent High Roding cricket ground.

All in around 2.5 acres.

Services
Mains water and electricity connected. Klargester private drainage treatment plant.

Local authority
Uttlesford District Council. Council tax bands: house (B), annexe (A)

Directions

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