This week – and we’ll continue regularly in future posts – rather than choosing homes on the market on their geographical location, we’re picking ones with particular features. We’re starting out with thatched properties.
When you think of ‘olde worlde’ and ‘chocolate box’ cottages, it’s thatched properties that are ones which often spring to mind. Many people shy away from houses with thatched roofs, they think that they’re a fire hazard or will be difficult and expensive to maintain. In fact, if they’re properly looked after and given an annual ‘once over’ to clear any moss and algae, they can last between 15 and 40 years.
It’s fair to say that property #1, Flinders, looks very tired indeed and is in need of a lot of TLC; however, much of the work required appears to be merely cosmetic. And it’s impossible to simply conjure up the kind of quirky charm that this cottage possesses in abundance.
Speaking of charm, Westcott Cottage has the most beautiful fireplaces, beams and nooks & crannies. It’s positioned at the centre of a lovely looking grouping of houses, all of which are surrounded by mature trees and countryside.
It’s said that you shouldn’t “judge a book by its cover” and St Ibbs Lodge falls under that rule. The property looks not too dissimilar to a large Hobbit house on the outside, but on the inside it’s ultra-modern and full of light. I love the magnificent curvaceousness of its interior walls, rooms and windows.
In which of these thatched properties could you see yourself living?
£170,000 – Flinders, The Street, Redgrave, Diss IP22 1RY
• Grade II listed cottage
• Two bedrooms
• Two receptions
• Character features & period harm
• Pretty cottage gardens
• Substantial timber-built studio
• Ample off road parking
• Renovation project
• Huge potential
The cottage itself is believed to be approximately 400 years old and is of special historic and architectural interest to the village, with its exposed timber frame and thatched roof. Internally there are numerous period features including a red brick inglenook fireplace and exposed timber beams.
£580,000 – Westcott Cottage, Chagford, Newton Abbot TQ13 8JF
• 2 bedrooms
• Highly desirable location on the edge of Chagford
• Wonderful far reaching views over Dartmoor
• Flexible accommodation options
• Enclosed garden
• Off street parking
Westcott Cottage is a beautifully presented two-bedroom Grade II* Listed detached family home. The cottage, which dates originally from the 16th century, features a thatched roof and granite elevations, while inside the characterful original fireplaces and exposed timbers compliment the neutral understated elegance of the décor and fittings.
£2,000,000 – St. Ibbs Lodge, London Road, Saint Ippolyts, Hertfordshire SG4 7NL
• Grade II listed
• 5 bedrooms
• 2 bathrooms
• Double garage
• off-street parking for up to 8 cars
• 7-acre plot
Built around 1840 and originally serving as the gate lodge for St. Ibbs House, this home serves as the perfect countryside home. The modern structure and renovations, combined with the immense space, and unlimited potential, this property presents a truly unique opportunity.
