Merry Garden, Hamlet Hill, Roydon, Essex, CM19

Merry Garden is a home with a story to tell. First built in 1929, it has grown and evolved through the years, shaped by each generation that has called it home. The most recent chapter began in 2020, when the current owners transformed the property to embrace its most defining feature, the sweeping views across Bumbles Green and out towards London. Once an indoor swimming pool, the heart of the house is now an expansive kitchen, dining and family room, with bi-fold doors opening onto the gardens and windows perfectly framing the landscape beyond. It is a space designed for both lively family gatherings and quiet moments, where the changing seasons are always in view.

The approach to Merry Garden is equally impressive. A traditional wooden gate swings open to reveal a broad driveway, comfortably accommodating several cars, while a pocket of private woodland sits to one side. On the other, a separate gated entrance leads into the main garden. Solar panels line the south facing roof and discreet air source heat pumps provide sustainable warmth, a reminder that this is a home not only rich in character, but also carefully modernised for the future.

Step through the double front doors, fitted in 2021, and you are welcomed into a spacious hallway that immediately sets the tone. This is a house designed for real family life, with a boot room and utility area perfectly placed for muddy wellies after woodland walks or school runs in the rain. From here, the flow of the home leads naturally towards its social heart, where light pours in from every angle.

The kitchen and family space is a triumph of design, seamlessly connecting indoors and out. French doors open to the northwest garden, while full width bi-folds spill out to the south-facing terrace where a pergola draped in vines creates dappled shade on summer afternoons. The layout invites gatherings, barbecues with friends, long Sunday lunches, or evenings by the firepit in the sunken garden. Practicality has not been overlooked either, with a hidden utility corridor and a cellar below the kitchen providing ample storage for the everyday essentials of busy family life.

The accommodation is generous, with six bedrooms spread across the house. Each has its own personality, from the light filled children’s rooms with wide windows and bay fronts, to the calm principal suite overlooking the woodland with its private en-suite bathroom. A further bedroom on the ground floor offers flexibility as a guest suite or annexe, with its own French doors opening directly to the garden. Upstairs, a converted loft room provides the ideal retreat for work or play, with Velux windows filling the space with light and eaves storage neatly tucked away.

Bathrooms throughout the home have been thoughtfully styled, with the main family bathroom offering a full sized bath and shower and another recently refitted to feature a walk in waterfall shower and twin sinks. Every detail has been considered to balance everyday practicality with a touch of luxury.

Outside, the gardens wrap almost completely around the house, creating a sense of space and privacy. A raised patio captures the evening sun, while the pergola deck offers the perfect spot for shaded dining. Children can enjoy their own dedicated play area overlooking the woods, while adults may prefer the seclusion of the gravelled sunken garden, a magical place for evenings around the firepit. Two garden sheds provide practical storage, and external sockets and lighting make the space as functional as it is beautiful.

Nature is ever present at Merry Garden. The protected woodland beyond ensures uninterrupted views and a sense of peace, with muntjac deer, rabbits, owls and woodpeckers regularly making an appearance. It is this connection to the land that gives the home its unique charm a place where you feel close to the countryside, yet with London always within sight.

Renamed by its current owners in 2021, Merry Garden perfectly captures the joy of a home where house and garden are in harmony. It is a place for families to grow, for friends to gather and for moments to be cherished. This is more than just a house, it is a lifestyle, waiting for its next chapter to be written.

Life in Roydon & the Surrounding Area

Set on Hamlet Hill, Merry Garden enjoys a privileged position in one of Roydon’s most desirable settings. Despite the peaceful rural feel, you are never far from excellent connections. Roydon Station is just a short drive, with direct trains into London Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale for fast access to the Underground. For drivers, the M11, A10 and M25 are all within easy reach, putting both the City and Stansted Airport less than half an hour away.

Nearby Epping, Harlow and Bishop’s Stortford provide a wealth of amenities, from boutique shops and restaurants to leisure facilities and gyms. Harlow Town and Epping are both known for their strong schooling options, with several Ofsted rated “Good” and “Outstanding” primaries and secondaries within easy reach. For families, the combination of village charm, commuter convenience and excellent education makes this location particularly appealing.

Roydon itself is a sought after village, named by the Telegraph as one of the UK’s best commuter spots. It offers a warm community feel, traditional pubs, a well regarded primary school and scenic countryside walks from your doorstep. The nearby Lee Valley Regional Park, River Stort and canal-side paths all provide endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, whether that’s cycling, dog walking or family days out.

For those considering Epping, Theydon Bois or other commuter hotspots, Merry Garden offers an enviable alternative: more space, more privacy and just as much convenience, all while keeping London firmly within your reach.