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Guide Price£2,000,000

Gurneys Lane, Holwell, SG5

Land size
2.75 acres
Bedrooms
5
Bathrooms
3

Key Features

  • Magnificent Grade II listed farmhouse
  • Dating back to circa 1640
  • Approx. 5,901 sq. ft. of accommodation
  • Set within 2.75 acres of glorious grounds
  • Bespoke kitchen & elegant reception rooms
  • Beautifully preserved period features
  • Far-reaching countryside views
  • One of Holwell's finest period homes
  • Indoor heated swimming pool
  • Detached garage with studio above

Description

Believed to date from circa 1640, Church Farm is an extraordinary Grade II listed residence, representing one of Holwell's most distinguished period homes. Occupying approximately 2.75 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the property offers an outstanding blend of architectural heritage, refined family living and exceptional leisure facilities, extending to approximately 5,901 sq. ft. in total.

Approached via a sweeping gravel carriage driveway, the house immediately impresses with its handsome elevations, mellow brick and timber-framed construction, and beautifully preserved clay tiled roof. Having evolved over more than five centuries, Church Farm retains a remarkable wealth of original craftsmanship, including exposed structural timbers, impressive fireplaces and elegant proportions, all thoughtfully complemented by sympathetic modern enhancements.

The welcoming entrance hall provides an inviting introduction before unfolding into a series of beautifully balanced reception rooms. The magnificent 31ft living room forms the heart of the home. A wonderfully proportioned space centred around a striking period fireplace, where exposed beams and an abundance of natural light create a warm yet elegant atmosphere.

The formal dining/family room provides a superb setting for entertaining and flows effortlessly into the bespoke kitchen and breakfast room. Designed with modern family life in mind, the kitchen features an extensive range of handcrafted cabinetry and integrated appliances, generous preparation space and ample room for informal dining, all while enjoying delightful views across the gardens. Beyond lies a practical utility room and a separate study, perfectly suited to home working. Completing the ground floor is a cloakroom/WC and a beautiful orangery, providing a tranquil place from which to enjoy the surrounding gardens throughout the changing seasons.

The first floor continues to impress, offering five generously proportioned bedrooms, each rich in individual character. The principal suite enjoys fitted wardrobes, dual-aspect views and a luxurious en-suite bathroom, whilst the remaining bedrooms are served by two beautifully appointed shower rooms and a further en-suite bathroom, creating versatile accommodation for both family life and visiting guests.

Beneath the house, an extensive cellar provides excellent storage together with exciting potential for further use, subject to the necessary consents.

Outside, the grounds are every bit as captivating as the house itself. Sweeping lawns are interspersed with mature specimen trees, established hedging and beautifully stocked planting, creating an exceptional sense of privacy and tranquillity. A substantial wildlife pond, together with a variety of terraces and seating areas, provides wonderful places from which to enjoy the uninterrupted views across the surrounding Hertfordshire countryside.

A particular highlight is the detached pool house, centred around a magnificent 40ft heated indoor swimming pool, providing an exceptional year-round leisure facility. Whilst the pool is operational, prospective purchasers should note that it would benefit from routine servicing together with the replacement of the pool lining.

Complementing the principal residence is an impressive detached garage complex extending to almost 900 sq. ft., providing garaging for several vehicles together with a substantial first-floor studio offering exceptional versatility as a home office, gymnasium, creative studio or ancillary accommodation, subject to the necessary consents. In addition, the extensive shingled driveway provides generous off-road parking for numerous vehicles.

Church Farm represents a genuinely rare opportunity to acquire a residence of exceptional architectural significance. Beautifully preserved and sympathetically enhanced, it effortlessly combines over five centuries of history with the space, comfort and lifestyle expected of a distinguished country home, all within one of North Hertfordshire's most picturesque rural settings.

Holwell is a charming village on the fringes of Hitchin, in Hertfordshire, surrounded by picturesque countryside. It offers a serene lifestyle with convenient access to urban amenities in Hitchin. The village boasts scenic beauty, rolling hills, and lush landscapes. It provides a peaceful retreat with a close-knit community, local amenities, and recreational spaces. Residents can enjoy countryside walks and outdoor activities making it an ideal choice for those seeking a peaceful village lifestyle without sacrificing modern conveniences.

Buyers Information:
In compliance with the UK's Anti Money Laundering (AML) regulations, we are required to confirm the identity of all prospective buyers at the point of an offer being accepted and use a third party, Identity Verification System to do so. There is a nominal charge of £48 (per person) including VAT for this service. For more information, please refer to the terms and conditions section of our website.

Map Location

Property details

Tenure
Freehold
Council Tax Band
G
Date Posted
2026-08-05

Market Value Analysis

Compared with 1,131 Homes with Land listings in East Anglia (1+ acres).

This Property£727,273 / acre
Homes with Land Average (1+ acres) £342,445 / acre
View full market data

Utilities & Restrictions

Utilities

Electricity
Mains
Water
Mains
Heating
Gas Central Heating
Broadband
Fibre (FTTC)
Sewerage
Septic Tank / Private

Rights & Restrictions

Public Rights of Way
Ask Agent
Private Rights of Way
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Listed Property
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Restrictions
Ask Agent

Property Features

Accessibility
Ask Agent
Parking
Garage, Driveway, Gated Parking
Garden
Private Garden

Connectivity

Broadband

Fastest speed available at this postcode

80 Mbps

Superfast

Suitable for

  • HD streaming
  • Video calls
  • Web & social

Mobile signal

CallsDataEE Good GoodO2 Good GoodThree Good GoodVodafone Good Good

Outdoor predictions; indoor signal depends on building materials.

Ofcom Connected Nations postcode-level predictions. Speeds and signal are modelled, not measured, and vary between addresses and providers.

Nearest Schools

Primary

  • Stondon Lower School1.2 milesNo Ofsted rating
    Ages
    5 to 9
    Pupils
    136
    Type
    Community school
  • Ickleford Primary School1.5 milesNo Ofsted rating
    Ages
    4 to 11
    Pupils
    213
    Type
    Voluntary controlled school
    Faith
    Church of England
  • Pirton School1.6 milesOfsted report card · May 2026
    Ages
    4 to 11
    Pupils
    136
    Type
    Community school
  • Derwent Primary School1.7 milesNo Ofsted rating
    Ages
    3 to 11
    Pupils
    419
    Type
    Foundation school
  • Our Lady Catholic Primary School1.9 milesOfsted: Good
    Ages
    5 to 11
    Pupils
    173
    Type
    Academy converter
    Faith
    Roman Catholic

Secondary

  • The Priory School1.9 milesNo Ofsted rating
    Ages
    11 to 18
    Pupils
    1,221
    Type
    Foundation school
  • Fearnhill School2.5 milesOfsted report card · Apr 2026
    Ages
    11 to 18
    Pupils
    597
    Type
    Foundation school
  • Hitchin Boys' School2.7 milesOfsted report card · Nov 2025
    Ages
    11 to 18
    Pupils
    1,364
    Type
    Academy converter
    Gender
    Boys
  • The Highfield School2.9 milesOfsted: Good
    Ages
    11 to 18
    Pupils
    937
    Type
    Academy converter
  • Hitchin Girls' School3.1 milesOfsted: Outstanding *
    Ages
    11 to 18
    Pupils
    1,357
    Type
    Academy converter
    Gender
    Girls

* Latest graded judgement covers quality of education only; no overall grade was issued under the 2024-25 inspection framework.

Distances are straight-line from the advertised location. Source: the national school registers (DfE, Welsh Government, Scottish Government) and Ofsted.

Amenities

Supermarket

Tesco Fairfield Express, Fairfield, Bedfordshire2.5 miles
Budgens Meppershall, Meppershall2.6 miles
Tesco Letchworth Express, Letchworth2.7 miles

GP surgery

Dr Carragher And Neal And Akhtar1.4 miles

Pharmacy

Henlow Pharmacy1.4 miles

Hospital

Lister Hospital5.9 miles

Green space

Playing Field185 metres

Straight-line distances from the advertised location. Sources: NHS records, Geolytix supermarket locations, OS Open Greenspace and the national trails registers.

Getting Around

Nearest station

Hitchin Rail Station2.9 miles

Nearest bus stop

St Peter's Church171 metres

Typical drive times

Hitchin8 min · 3.3 miles
Shefford10 min · 5.2 miles
Stotfold12 min · 6.5 miles
Letchworth12 min · 5.5 miles
St Albans (city)36 min · 22 miles

Straight-line distances from the advertised location; drive times are typical free-flow times over OpenStreetMap road data, so allow more at peak. Public transport locations from DfT NaPTAN.

Flood Risk

From Environment Agency flood map open data, checked around the advertised map pin and allowing for the listed acreage where known. This summary comes from LandSale, the advertising platform, not from the listing agent, and is not part of the agent's particulars. Risk can vary across a single holding, so verify anything critical through your own searches before committing.

Rivers and the sea

Flood Zone 1Lower risk

Surface water

Outside the mapped risk bandsVery low risk

The detail behind these bandings, including exact zones and annual chances, any recorded past flooding, plus planning, heritage, nature and ground checks, is in the .

Important notice: Information, maps and tags on this page are supplied by the advertising agent or generated automatically. LandSale has not verified them. Relying on these details is at your own risk, always carry out independent checks before committing to a purchase.

Contact Ashtons, Hitchin

32 Bridge Street, Hitchin, SG5 2DF

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