Cow Parsley Cottage: Tucked away on a peaceful country lane, this substantial four-bedroom home blends period character with contemporary living. Beautifully presented throughout, it features an impressive open-plan kitchen/dining space, flexible reception rooms, off-road parking with a garage, and a large wrap around garden, all within easy reach of the popular village of Bures.

Guide Price: £750,000 - £800,000

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: 

Front: An inviting frontage sets the tone beautifully, with a generous driveway for multiple vehicles and a conveniently positioned single garage with lights and power. Mature hedging and established planting wrap the home in greenery, creating a sense of privacy and calm from the lane. Subtle solar PV panels enhance the look without distraction, lowering running costs and highlighting the property’s smart, modern approach to efficiency.

Hallway: A welcoming entrance accessed through an oak stable door leads into a spacious hallway laid with limestone flooring that flows through the main living areas. Lined with numerous built-in cupboards and finished with a traditional column radiator, this is a practical yet elegant arrival space that sets a calm tone. The staircase to the first floor rises from here and doors lead directly to the kitchen/dining room, snug/office, utility and the downstairs shower room, making circulation effortless for everyday life and entertaining.

Kitchen/Dining Room: This impressive open plan space forms the true heart of the home, created for relaxed family living and effortless entertaining. The hand-built oak kitchen is paired with elegant quartz worktops and a double butler sink with a brass tap, positioned beneath a bifold window that opens directly to the garden to make the most of the views and fresh air.

Vaulted ceilings with rooflights, a feature picture window and wide bifold doors fill the room with natural light, while the limestone flooring continues outside to create a seamless transition to the alfresco dining area.

Every element has been thoughtfully designed for modern family life. There is an integrated dishwasher, a full height fridge, a matching full height freezer and a cleverly designed pantry cupboard with internal sockets, ideal for keeping small appliances such as a microwave or air fryer neatly tucked away. A professional six-burner range cooker and a generous kitchen island with storage and power points complete this beautifully considered and highly functional space.

Sitting Room: The adjoining L shaped sitting room offers a wonderfully calm, inviting atmosphere, perfect for slowing the pace at the end of the day. New oak flooring, bespoke cabinetry framing the fireplace, and a glazed door to the garden create a warm, elegant backdrop for everything from quiet mornings with a book to cosy evenings with family.

Although the current owners haven’t used the chimney, the space is ready for a wood burner should a new owner wish to add that extra touch of country home comfort. With doors opening to both the front and rear, natural light pours through the room throughout the day, while the direct access to the garden encourages an easy indoor outdoor lifestyle. It’s a space designed for unwinding, reconnecting and enjoying the simple pleasures of home.

Office/Snug: This versatile room, fitted with wood panelling and bespoke cupboards and desk, works beautifully as a quiet home office or a cosy snug. Dual windows bring in natural light, and the thoughtful built-in storage keeps the space uncluttered and functional. The current owners also use this room as an occasional guest bedroom, with the nearby shower room providing convenience and privacy for visitors.

Utility Room: Tucked off the hallway, the utility room is a highly practical service space that houses the wall-mounted gas boiler, water softener and laundry appliances. Designed for efficiency, it keeps everyday chores out of sight while providing easy access to essential systems. Ample room for washing and drying makes household management straightforward.

Downstairs shower room: Finished to a high standard, the downstairs shower room features a fully tiled walk-in shower with a glass screen, a pedestal wash basin and a WC. Clean, contemporary fittings and quality finishes create a bright, functional wet room that serves guests and family members alike. Its proximity to the snug/office makes it especially convenient for overnight visitors.

First Floor: An attractive staircase ascends to a landing providing access to a thoughtfully arranged collection of bedrooms, each designed to offer comfort, space and flexibility for family life. The principal bedroom is a bright and calming retreat, benefitting from dual aspect windows that frame views of the front and side gardens. Newly fitted wardrobes add practical storage and have been intentionally left undecorated, giving the next owners the freedom to choose their own colour palette and make the space truly their own.

Three further bedrooms sit off the landing, including two generous doubles and a well proportioned single, ideal for children, guests or a dedicated home office.

The family bathroom mirrors the quality found throughout the home, finished to a high standard with a stylish basin and vanity lighting, a panelled bath with waterfall shower and separate mixer, a heated towel rail and a neatly concealed cupboard housing the hot water cylinder.

Gardens: Set within a generous, secluded plot, the gardens are a standout feature for anyone who enjoys outdoor living. Enclosed by mature trees and hedging, the lawned areas are complemented by well-established shrubs and two recently installed raised sleeper beds ideal for herbs and vegetables. The large patio accessible directly from the bi-folds doors in the kitchen extends the entertaining area, making summer dining and alfresco gatherings effortless.

Additional Information:

• Unlisted detached cottage offering  2009 sqft of living accommodation.
• Plot Size: 0.25 acres
• In 2021, the property was extended and modernised to include an extended and refurbished kitchen, new flooring throughout the ground floor, and new radiators throughout.
• In 2025, further upgrades were made to include a new roof, a new pump on the septic tank, and fitted wardrobes to the master bedroom. 
• Gas central heating with a programmer, room thermostat, and TRVs. New Boiler installed 2024.
• Solar Panels: these are owned, and the current owners receive an annual rebate of approximately £900pa.
• Kitchen Appliances included in sale: Integrated dishwasher, fridge, freezer and range cooker. 
• Mains water, electric and gas.
• Waste is serviced through a private septic tank.
• Local Authority: Babergh
• Conservation area: Bures St Mary
• Council Tax Band F (approximately £3200 pa)
• Energy Performance Rating:m B
• Lighting: Low-energy lighting fitted to 94% of light fittings. 
• Pitched roof with 150mm of loft insulation. 
• Year of Build: Approximately 1850
• Loft: part boarded, lights and ladder.
• Garden Orientation: The wrap-around garden provides North, East, and West orientation.
• Flood risk: Very Low
• Mobile Phone Signal: O2, EE, Three and Vodaphone
• Cable and Satellite TV available in the area: BT and Sky
• Internet: speeds up to 35 Mbps
• Current Owner tenure: 11 years
• Vendor's chain position: The owners will have an onward chain.

LOCAL AREA GUIDE:

Situated close to the highly desirable village of Bures, this property enjoys the perfect balance of countryside living and everyday convenience. Bures is a picturesque village on the Essex–Suffolk border, known for its strong community feel, beautiful river setting and excellent transport links, including a mainline rail station with services to Marks Tey and London Liverpool Street.

Bures: offers a wide range of day to day amenities, including:

• Two village shops and a post office
• Doctors surgery
• Popular village deli 
• Two traditional pubs
• Village hall with regular classes and community events
• Church and active local groups
• Monthly market on the green
• Pizzas on the green every Friday
• Playground, football and tennis clubs
• Mainline train station - providing access to London in approximately 60 minutes. 
• The village is surrounded by scenic countryside and is home to the well known Bures Dragon, St Mary’s Church and riverside walks along the Stour.

Nearby Towns – Sudbury & Colchester

• Sudbury (approx. 10 minutes) provides an excellent selection of shops, supermarkets, cafés and restaurants, along with leisure centres, gyms and the beautiful Water Meadows. The town also offers weekly markets and cultural attractions such as the Quay Theatre and Gainsborough’s House.
• Colchester (approx. 20–25 minutes) offers extensive shopping, dining and entertainment options, including major retail parks, historic attractions, theatres, cinemas and Colchester Zoo. Fast rail services to London are also available.

Schools:

• Bures Church of England Primary School (well regarded)
• Chappel C of E Primary School
• Colne Engaine C of E Primary School
• Wells Hall Primary, Great Cornard
• Thomas Gainsborough School (secondary), Great Cornard
• A wide selection of nurseries in Bures, Sudbury and surrounding villages
• Easy access to Colchester also offers several highly rated primary schools, Colchester County High School for Girls, Colchester Royal Grammar School and a range of independent schools

Healthcare: Local healthcare is easily accessible, with:

• GP surgeries in Bures, Great Cornard and Sudbury
• Multiple dental practices and pharmacies in Sudbury
• Full hospital services available at Colchester Hospital
• Additional private healthcare options in Colchester and Ipswich

Sports & Leisure: The area offers excellent opportunities for an active lifestyle, including:

• Local sports teams and fitness classes in Bures
• Riverside running routes and countryside cycling
• Golf courses at Newton Green and Stoke by Nayland
• Gyms, leisure centres and sports clubs in Sudbury and Colchester
• Cultural venues such as the Quay Theatre, Mercury Theatre and Firstsite Gallery

Restaurants, Pubs & Cafés: Bures offers two friendly village pubs and deli, while Sudbury provides a wide choice of restaurants, wine bars and traditional inns. Nearby Long Melford is known for its destination dining and historic pubs. Colchester offers an extensive food scene with everything from casual dining to high end restaurants.

Walks & Outdoor Lifestyle: This is a superb location for lovers of the outdoors, with:

• The Stour Valley Path
• Bures Dragon viewpoint
• Sudbury Water Meadows
• Dedham Vale AONB (Constable Country)
• Arger Fen & Spouse’s Vale Nature Reserve
• Woodland and riverside trails
• Perfect for dog walking, cycling, paddleboarding, or simply enjoying the countryside.

Lifestyle: Living here offers a rare combination of rural tranquillity, village charm and excellent access to amenities. With beautiful countryside on the doorstep, strong transport links, well regarded schools and vibrant nearby towns, it’s an ideal setting for families, commuters and anyone seeking a balanced, high quality lifestyle.