Tindon End, Great Sampford, Saffron Walden

An historic, six bedroom farmhouse dating back to the 12th century, set in grounds approaching 1.8 acres with outbuildings, orchard, woodland and swimming pool. Completely renovated by the current owner, the property offers immaculately presented accommodation throughout, whilst retaining numerous original features.

This exceptional Grade II listed six-bedroom house is set in the picturesque hamlet of Tindon End, near Saffron Walden, Essex. With parts believed to date back to the 12th century, Byeballs Farm is one of the oldest privately owned properties in the area and is set on a site thought to have been inhabited since the Norman Conquest. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, this historic property comes complete with medieval murals, exposed beams and enormous fireplaces. While it has been updated to modern day standards, the current owners have been careful to maintain the house’s original character throughout, and it now is an incredible specimen of medieval and Tudor architecture, with an exemplary series of original features, as well as part of the original moat still in place.

The impressive, rendered exterior is like something from a fairy story, with mullioned windows and a large gable end, stretching up to three storeys with the ancient central chimney stack sitting proudly in the centre of the house. Inside, each of the spaces at Byeballs Farm is wealth of history, with imposing fireplaces and beams bearing original markings. The house has original elements and fascinating details at every turn, while still enjoying a sense of openness and natural light throughout the expansive spaces on the ground floor. On entry, the house has an ancient panelled front door which leads onto a vast hall dating from the 1500s, complete with inglenook fireplace and a woodburner, imposing beams and a brick floor. Stepping up from the hall is a study and music room and leading from there, a pretty sitting room, which is adorned with staggering medieval murals, covering all of the beams and throughout the room. In addition, a mullioned window overlooks the gardens and a large fireplace complete with a woodburner creates the cosiest of atmospheres.

To the other side of the hall is a corridor which leads to a snug, a separate study and a dining room, all of which form the 12th century section of the house. This part of the house is an example of the best of medieval architecture, with plenty of open woodwork, carvings and even includes a medieval ale hopper and parts of the original bread oven. The corridor then leads to an impressive, vaulted kitchen, which was added by the current owners. Flooded with natural light and based around a large central island, the spacious kitchen also includes an Aga and a seating area, as well as a mezzanine floor, and has high ceilings and double doors onto the garden. Access to the master bedroom was initially only via a ladder, which has subsequently been replaced with an oak staircase. Its exceptional vaulted ceilings and views over the garden are stunning and with a smart ensuite bathroom and dressing area this is one of the most handsome rooms in the house.

From the central drawing room is the main staircase. Accessed via an ancient Tudor door, the sweeping staircase leads to three bedrooms on the first floor, one which has an ensuite and also a family bathroom. In keeping with the rest of the property, the bedrooms have exposed beams and plenty of features, including cupboards and cubby holes which provide brilliant storage solutions. Up another flight of stairs is what was once the servants’ quarters and now provides two spacious bedrooms up in the eaves.

The grounds at Byeballs Farm are as impressive as the main house. Accessed via electric metal gates and a sweeping driveway through formal gardens, the approach to the property is typical of an important country house. With an ornamental pond containing Koi carp, pretty pathways lined with flowerbeds lead to the entrance of the house and the garden then wraps around the property, anchoring it in the centre of the space. Outside of the kitchen is a smart swimming pool, complete with a gym and a large outdoor seating and entertaining area, whereas to the side of the pool is part of the remaining moat which is visited by plenty of wildlife throughout the year. To the other side of the house, the gardens stretch to approximately 1.8 acres, and include wooded areas, an orchard and sweeping lawns, with around 1,000 daffodils which flower every Spring, all with views over the surrounding rolling countryside. There is also a large barn used by the current owners for storage and for entertaining. In addition, a new four-bay cart lodge has been added.

Bought by the current owners over twenty years ago, Byeballs Farm has been a labour of love. The property had been left empty, with only one room being used as a holiday home by the previous owners. It had fallen into disrepair, with brambles which covered the roof and weeds growing through the bricks on the ground floor. Two years were spent bringing the property back up to standard, reconfiguring the layouts, adding bathrooms, sealing up the property and adding a damp course. It has since been immaculately maintained and cared for and now provides the opportunity for a buyer to purchase a highly original and historic house, but without the need for any renovation works.

The seller comments: “The best way to describe this house was it was like the castle in Sleeping Beauty. We couldn’t even see the roof for the weeds and trees which had grown up around it. It took us two years to get the house to the standard of being liveable, but we knew it was the perfect place for us as soon as we saw it. The murals in the sitting room were what clinched the deal for us as they spelt out our initials, and that, coupled with the house’s amazing atmosphere and position made it completely irresistible, despite the amount of blood, sweat and tears which went into bringing it back to life. The house really comes into its own at Christmas, and this is when the hall and dining room feel really special, and you feel as if you could be in a history biopic. It’s a house which loves a party and we have had the most wonderful 21 years here, however, now is the time to move on and allow another family to enjoy the space.”

There is an additional 5.5 acres of land a couple of hundred yards away from the house available by separate negotiation.

Agent's Notes - For more information on this property, please refer to the Material Information brochure that can be found on our website.

Viewings - By appointment through the Agents.