Windhill, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23

It’s hard to imagine a better home in Bishop’s Stortford than Windhill Villa. Imagine living on an expansive road lined with character properties, each with its own sense of identity and yet nestling comfortably side by side. Inside, a vast haven—but one which feels intimate and warm—awaits. Period features which befit the style of the Grade II-listed house are in abundance, while modern trappings accommodate family life as we know it.

Outside, the house enjoys a prominent position on Windhill, opposite the childhood home of Sir Walter Gilbey, another Stortford resident to make his fortune from libations, like the malt house owners of previous generations. Today, Windhill is a mix of excellent residences, schools, a church and, closer to town, some wonderful cafés and eateries.

With the influx of young families moving from the city, owing to the area’s exemplary educational offering and great connections, town life in Bishop’s Stortford is heavily-bent on café culture, with unique shops and places to pass the time. Parks are plentiful, while South, Potter, Market and North Street offer everything you could want or need. Jackson Square is the perfect stop for necessities, with Florence Walk offering something more off the beaten track.

The footprint of Windhill Villa must be seen to be fully appreciated. Floor plans can tell us much about the thought-fully laid out ground, first and second floors, as well as the garden and pool house, but the period features, subtle nuances and modern-yet-mindful additions need to be experienced on foot.

Restored windows, fireplaces, joinery and panelling, as well as the use of traditional materials and existing slate, uphold the integrity of the original building, imbuing it with a sense of authority and warmth.

The spacious and considered rear extension provides the home with an attractive working kitchen, including a snug and fireplace. The pool house and parkland garden are attractively arranged to the rear of the property, while inside a drawing room with bar area, boot room and study compliment the expected family and dining rooms.

An additional two floors provide the 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms that make Windhill Villa a true family home, and one which can welcome guests at any time. Further charm awaits in the children’s den, on the second floor, complete with rooftop views for a storybook feel.