LOVELY VICTORIAN COTTAGE, WITH GARDEN OFFICE, IN BEDFORD VILLAGE OF JOHN BUNYAN’S BIRTH

A hugely attractive, red brick and slate, wisteria-clad, cottage dating back to the 1890s, with 2 double bedrooms and a superb outdoor office in its lovely, 90 ft.-long garden. You even have a substantial, single garage and an EV-charging pod in your driveway, where you can park at least 2 cars. Standing with its attached neighbour in a row of Victorian Cottages just outside the conservation area of the historic village of Elstow, on the edge of the county town of Bedford, Moss Leigh is now ready to welcome a fortunate new owner.

The backwater of Elstow is just 15-minutes by bicycle to Bedford station, from where fast trains reach London in 40 minutes, yet the village is perfectly located for cycle rides in the countryside. The nearby A6 and A421 provide quick and easy access for the motorist to Luton airport, just 20 miles away, and to Cambridge, Milton Keynes and further afield, yet avid dog walkers could hardly wish for more, with the John Bunyan trail passing through the surrounding countryside. Moreover, the village will be only about 3 miles away from the planned Universal Studio resort and the new Wixams station, that will send fast trains between Oxford and Cambridge, to London, and even to Europe, if the vision is realised.

It’s 5 minutes to the Interchange Retail Park and you can hop on the bus near your new home to take you the short distance into the market town, if you wish. Yet stroll along the lane and you find the 15th century Moot Hall, originally built as a market hall for the Benedictine Nunnery, Elstow Abbey, which stands on the village green, where John Bunyan whiled away many an hour as a boy playing ‘Tip-cat’. Extraordinary fairs held there to raise money for the Abbey were Bunyan’s inspiration for the “Vanity Fair” of “The Pilgrims Progress”. He was baptised in the Abbey church, part of which is now the Parish Church of St Mary and St Helena. What an inspirational environment in which to live.

Moreover, you have the St Helena fine dining restaurant, a lovely little coffee shop and an 18th century pub in the village, not to mention a super primary school, a village shop and post office, a surgery, playing fields and parkland, as well as a community picnic spot beside Elstow Brook - village living, with all the amenities and facilities of the county town on the doorstep.

MORE ABOUT THE PROPERTY 

What was once the main thoroughfare from Bedford to Luton is now just access into the village, with those whizzing past on the bypass possibly unaware it even exists. They don’t know what they’re missing. What a lovely approach, either between hedgerows lining fields or through the conservation area, past fascinating, 13th to 17th century, timber-framed cottages, some Grade I-listed, and arriving at your new home to wonderful, welcoming wisteria wrapping itself around the beautiful, Victorian red brick walls, mingling with sweet-scented honeysuckle and clematis.

Despite your cottage’s age, it’s escaped being listed and has scope for an extension at the back - though it probably has more space than you expected already. Unusually, you even have a garage or workshop, which provides loads of extra storage space. And you can park your cars, as well as charge them if they’re electric, off the road in your own driveway.

Step through the kitchen, with its granite-topped, oak furniture, into your oak-floored, living room. Formerly two rooms, you have oodles of space to have friends to dinner, as well as to relax on the sofa in front of a cosy log fire.

The cottage is certainly changed from days of old, in line with 21st century needs, but lovely toggle switches turn on lights and original doors lead to rooms full of character, not least your super bedrooms. Both are large enough for king-sized beds; you’ll love to fully open your low-silled window on a summer’s morning to the magnificent trees in full leaf on the green opposite; while your guests, or very fortunate child, will adore their attic bedroom, with its chimney detail and vaulted ceiling.

The top-floor bedroom also makes a great study, but there are few nicer walks to work than through your unexpectedly private garden - and its rose arbour - to your wood-clad, insulated, office. Natural light pours onto the chunky oak desk from above and through glazed doors that fold open to the lovely garden in spring and summertime.

Robins, blackbirds and house sparrows nest in evergreen native hedging. Their song fills the spring air from amongst the prolific pear blossom and pretty, flowering acer. Bees busy themselves amongst hydrangeas, dahlias and peonies. Entertain beneath orange roses clambering over the pergola. Both cottage and cottage garden are delightful.