Churchgate Street, Old Harlow, Essex

Built in 1850, this Grade II-listed converted school in Old Harlow has been transformed into a wonderfully inviting and artfully bold four-bedroom house. Set within the Churchgate Street Conservation Area, it has been confidently renovated by its current owners, who have made joyful use of colour and material. Despite this contemporary feel, the house celebrates its period features, which include an exposed timber frame and mahogany flooring. A mature garden surrounds the house and contains a separate outbuilding ideal for use as a home office or gym. Despite the house's proximity to open greenery, it is within easy reach of the capital: from Harlow station, London Liverpool Street can be reached in under an hour.

Setting the Scene

Harlow, which includes Old Harlow, has a long and storied history. It dates back to the early medieval period, although it is perhaps best known as the site of The Lawn, a post-war Ministry of Health medal-winning building that lays claim to being Britain's first residential tower block. Harlow was one of several towns chosen in the New Towns Act of 1946, a project that aimed to rebuild after the damage caused by The Blitz. The plans were drawn up by architect and planner Sir Fredrick Gibberd, whose other work includes the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, The Gibberd Garden (also in Harlow) and the London Central Mosque.

This house lies on quiet Churchgate Street and sits opposite the Norman-era St Mary's Church. It served as a school until 1971 and was listed a decade later. The building is crowned by a pyramidal lantern roof with tall recangular windows and a complex T-shaped plan. The gabled porch is comprised of a four-centred door head with the date-stone reading 'AD 1850'.

The Grand Tour

The impressive façade of the house is constructed from squared rag-stone with ashlar quoins, statuesque pitched roofs and lancet windows. Entry is through the six-panel glazed xxx door and into the porch, with a second entrance (currently used as a boot room) at the other end of the entrance hallway.

Original mahogany parquet flooring begins underfoot in the reception area and flows throughout the ground floor. Pale blue distemper decorates the double-height ceiling in the hallway, with arched recesses framing the doorway through to the sitting room. Here, teal is used across the walls, adding a dramatic feel to the atmospheric surroundings. A log-burner sits neatly in the wall, with original cornicing tracing around the ceiling.

Past a handy WC, the kitchen and adjacent dining area are to the left of the hallway; both are finished in a confident pairing of blushing pink and gold leaf above and below the dado rail. A striking contrast to the rest of the scheme, the black-painted kitchen units house integrated appliances and are paired with a green mosaic backsplash.

Stairs ascend to the first floor, where three of the house's four bedrooms lie. One of the bedrooms on this floor has a walk-in shower tucked behind a discrete half wall. The main bedroom occupies the entirety of the top floor and is framed by the dark timber structure. It has an en suite shower room with a frosted glass panel that draws in light from the room. The rest of the bedrooms are served by a sleek, grey-themed family bathroom.

The separate studio space is accessed across the courtyard and unfolds across two floors. Currently utilised as a home gym and playroom, it would make for a wonderfully peaceful home office with green garden views.

The Great Outdoors

Set within the gated grounds next to the church, the house is surrounded by hedgerows, lawn and mature shrubbery. There are pockets left to lawn, too; ideal for lounging about on a warm summer's day.

In addition to the garden, there is also an inner courtyard with slate-grey paving and off-road parking. External downlights ensure the garden and its surroundings are visible in the evenings.

Out and About

Harlow - which encompasses Old Harlow - is on the border between Essex and Hertfordshire. It has a wealth of amenities and sits within easy distance of some particularly astonishing open green spaces including Epping Forest. The house lies close to the Sir Frederick Gibberd-designed 'Green Wedges' that echo the Green Belt Land that surrounds Harlow. The surrounding landscape is a pretty backdrop for a plethora of outdoor pursuits, such as a stroll past watermills and maltings along the River Stort's path. Harlow is also known for its brilliant cycling prospects; it has one of the most extensive tracks in England and connects with the original old town roads.

The charming and dog-friendly pub The Queen's Head a minute's walk from the house in the Old Town, while the popular John Barleycorn - which serves locally sourced seasonal produce - is a five-minute drive away.

There are several excellent schools in the area, including the CofE primary school opposite in the church's grounds, as well as Harlowbury Primary School. Secondary options include Burnt Mill Academy and Passmores Academy, which are both just over 2 miles away. St Nicholas is a recommended private institution for both primary and secondary-aged children.

The nearest station is Harlow Mill, which can be reached in approximately six minutes. Services run from here to London Liverpool Street station in around 40 minutes. The M11 is a short distance away.

Council Tax Band: F