The Street, Sturmer, Haverhill, Essex, CB9

THE OLD RECTORY was originally a former mediaeval timber framed, hall house but in Georgian times was substantially extended. The current owners have been excellent custodians and have maintained both the house and the grounds to a high standard. Set in grounds of 1.1 acres the house is approached via a long gravelled driveway with ample parking and turning areas leading to a double garage and carport.

The main entrance door is to the side of the property and a solid oak Gothic style door leads into a charming conservatory/garden room that overlooks the rear gardens and serves as a breakfast/informal dining room. A part glazed door leads into an inner hall/utility room which is fitted with a sink unit with built in base and wall cabinets and houses the gas fired boiler. There is space for a fridge and wine fridge, a tumble-dryer and plumbing for a washing machine. Adjacent is a useful ground floor shower room.

The kitchen/breakfast room is well designed with solid oak units and equipped with a built-in breakfast bar, Norcool larder style fridge, a Godin dual gas and electric cooking range with extractor fan over, a Bosch dishwasher and base and wall units with Corian work tops. An attractive bench seat is built in adjacent to the window and the kitchen has a twin aspect. A door leads down to a small cellar area which contains the pressurized water cylinder. An inner hallway leads to the large dining room where the original front door is located. This lovely square room also has a twin aspect and features a central fireplace housing a gas real flame stove inset to a stone mantel with a slate hearth. A snug/sitting room has a large bay window and Inglenook fireplace. A door leads to a small front lobby area with brick floor which also connects to the main drawing room. The inner hallway has wood block flooring and leads to the elegant rear entrance door and to the staircase. The drawing room exudes Georgian elegance with a high ceiling and tall sash windows overlooking the grounds. The central fireplace has a wood burning stove inset to a granite hearth with carved wooden mantlepiece.

The long split-level first floor landing leads to the four bedrooms and study area with stairs leading to a loft room with access to a boarded loft space. The master bedroom mirrors the elegance of the drawing room with a good range of fitted wardrobes, an original corner cupboard and two sash windows. The three other double bedrooms are a good size with wash basins with period style taps fitted to two of them. The large family bathroom is fitted with a wash basin inset to a vanity unit, a bath with Victorian style taps, a bidet, heated towel rail and corner shower unit.

OUTSIDE, the property is approached via a sweeping driveway leading to the garaging and parking areas with adjacent boarders and raised beds.

The mature gardens are a special feature of The Old Rectory with a tiered entertaining area woth summerhouse, part walled rear gardens and extensive lawns sloping to the adjacent stream. The wooded area offers a range of mature trees and shrubs to include firs, beech, oaks and a magnolia tree.

STURMER is a small hamlet approx. 13 miles north east of Saffron Walden and about 2 miles distant from Haverhill with good access via the A1307 to Cambridge and the M11 J10. Both Saffron Walden and Haverhill offer excellent and recreational amenities. The nearby historic market town of Clare offers a wide selection of quality, individually owned shops, including antiques, art gallery and other specialists crafts.