Church Hill, Hempstead, Saffron Walden, Essex

Dating back to the 16th Century, Pollards Cross is a stunning timber framed period country house with versatile detached annexe, extending to over 5000sqft. The property has been beautifully renovated and substantially extended in recent years to create a truly aspirational family home with extremely well presented and characterful living space. Alongside the high quality and modern finishes which include underfloor heating, there are some wonderful original period features including exposed timbers and studwork, leaded windows, 17th Century panelling and linen fold doors, inglenook fireplaces and chimney stacks. On the ground floor are three lovely reception rooms, a study and an impressive open plan kitchen/breakfast/family room with 4 oven Aga, Miele oven and grill, butler sink, large central island and granite work-surfaces. There is also a good-size utility and a cloakroom. On the first floor, there are four double bedrooms and three contemporary bathrooms with two further bedrooms on the second floor. The house has plenty of storage including a large linen cupboard and good levels of natural light.

The annexe comprises two additional guest bedrooms, a bathroom on the ground floor with an apartment above with open plan kitchen/dining and living room, large bathroom and double bedroom. This useful outbuilding, currently used as staff accommodation, would work perfectly as a granny annexe, self-contained nanny/au pair area, possible B&B or could be converted into a home office/studio.

The property is approached through remotely controlled wrought iron gates opening to extensive gravelled parking and driveway leading up the house, the annexe and on to the stable yard beyond. The gardens are beautifully landscaped and maintained including a walled rose garden with topiary bushes and a gazebo, south-west facing paved terraces with box hedging, ideal for al-fresco dining and entertaining, gently sloping lawns and an orchard. There is also a hard tennis court with sports fencing and a heated outdoor swimming pool. The pool is set in a lovely, slightly elevated walled position with a summer house housing the pool equipment, shower and WC.
The stable yard is located at the rear of the plot and comprised brick paved hardstanding to the front with fenced turnout area, 6 loose boxes, garaging, garden machinery store and tack room. There are also two large paddocks with post and rail fencing.

Pollards Cross occupies a wonderful rural position with beautiful views over neighbouring farmland and countryside and is situated on the edge of the village on a pretty country road heading out past the church. Hempstead itself is a small hamlet best known for its local pub, The Bluebell Inn, the reported birthplace of notorious highwayman Dick Turpin.
The lovely and thriving market town of Saffron Walden, a pretty market town is only about six miles away and has a good selection of local and national retailers as well as some good restaurants, cafes and public houses. For commuters, Audley End station provides regular and fast trains to London Liverpool Street, Cambridge and London Stansted Airport while the M11 (Junction 9) is around 15 miles away.
Schools in the area have excellent reputations with Dame Bradbury’s in Saffron Walden as well as The Leys, The Perse, St Mary’s, St Johns and St Faiths in Cambridge being extremely popular with many offering local bus services.