Step into history with this charming Grade II listed cottage, dating back to the early 14th century and beautifully transformed over the centuries into the characterful family home it is today. Nestled in the heart of Fyfield, Rowan Cottage combines centuries of architectural heritage with modern comfort and thoughtful renovations.

The cottage retains a wealth of period features, including exposed oak beams, mullion windows, and an attractive traditional fireplace, all testifying to its medieval origins. Originally a modest two-up, two-down dwelling, the home has evolved over time:

17th-century modifications expanded the property into three farmworker cottages, complete with additional rooms and staircases.

1960s renovation restored it to a single residence, updating interiors while preserving period charm.

1980s enhancements revealed and restored original beams, uncovered the hall’s historic brick floor, and sensitively upgraded key features such as windows and fireplaces.

1989 extension added a single-storey rear wing, creating a modern kitchen, office, and bathrooms, while dormer windows and an extended landing enhanced upstairs accommodation.

Today, Rowan Cottage offers versatile living spaces across two floors:

Ground Floor: Entrance porch, reception hall, sitting room, dining room, extended kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, boiler/boot room, snug, office/6th bedroom, and a downstairs bathroom.

First Floor: Five bedrooms (including a master with ensuite), a spacious landing, and a further shower room.

Set in the middle of a one acre plot, the property now enjoys a beautiful garden at the rear, with stunning views over the Roding Valley. Its history is woven into the very fabric of the home, from oak ship timbers to Tudor brickwork, making this a truly unique period residence.

Rowan Cottage is ideal for those seeking a home with character, history, and modern comforts, perfectly situated in the picturesque village of Fyfield.

The Vendors Story
Rowan Cottage - A Potted History
Some years ago. we were lucky to be visited by a very enthusiastic Listing Officer, who was able to explain the history of the construction of the cottage and fill in a lot of blanks. It was Grade 2 listed in 1984.
So, looking at the cottage from left to right. The porch is a late addition. Then, as we understand it, the cottage was originally a single two up, two down dwelling, dated from some beam work in back room, identified as the work of the ‘Willingale Man’ as early 14thC. The two downstairs rooms had an inglenook fireplace between them. The room upstairs at the back was used for storing grain. The next downstairs room (sitting room) was added in the later 14C, dated by the mullion windows. Oak ships timbers were used for the construction. The last downstairs room (dining room) was added a bit later – still using oak ships timbers. Both these rooms were only a single depth making a two up three down dwelling.
The cottage underwent its first transformation in the 17thC when it was converted into three dwellings for farm workers employed at Fyfield Hall. Both the sitting room and dining room had a small room added behind them, to line up with the existing back. An upstairs was built above the single story creating two bedrooms. Two smaller rooms behind and two staircases were added to create the three cottages, known as 25a, b and c Cannons Lane.
We know from the 1911 Census that families of Blowes and Foggs lived here. We also know from the List of the Fallen which Richard reads out every year at the Service of Remembrance, how many of the young men living here were killed in WW1.
The second transformation was in the early 1960’s when all three cottages were bought by Mrs Jeans Jakobsson and her son who turned it back to one dwelling by removing the middle staircase, knocking down a few walls, blocking up some doors and removing the inglenook!!! Anything that looked a bit dodgy was covered up with plasterboard or pine boarding. Upstairs the middle small room was turned into a bathroom. The property became known as ‘Dunscombe’.
It was bought in 1969 by Gillie and Brian Mackley who lived there with their three children until Fyfield House came on the market – a much larger and grander affair – which they really wanted to buy. We were looking to move from Buckhurst Hill and were sent to look at Dunscombe which was on the market for £38.000, although we had explained to the estate agent that we only had £32.000. Our offer, although we didn’t realise that we had made one, was accepted and we moved, mortgaged up to the hilt 50 years ago, in September 1975 with our son James who was five months old and our dog Zoe.
Over the next six years, apart from having three more sons and with very little money, we worked on the cottage. All the beams that were visible had been painted black and were stripped back to their natural colour. The plaster boarding and pine cladding was removed and the beautiful beams behind them discovered. Richard developed many talents including plastering between the newly discovered beams. He also built the wardrobes in the main bedroom and took a chunk off bedroom 4 (above the dining room) to create a landing and shower room.
In 1983 we employed a builder, David Evans, who had a wonderful feel for period properties. We had discovered a concrete floor in the hall under the carpet which was cracked and by lifting bits up we could see bricks underneath! However, the first thing he did was to discover that the sole plate beam was rotten and had to be replaced. He then turned his attention to the hall floor, took up the concrete and discovered an old brick floor which were handmade clays. He needed to take the bricks up to lay a dampproof course. A lot of them were broken but the complete ones were saved and identical ones bought from a reclaim yard. The new floor was laid on top of the dampproof course and then the bricks were cleaned and the beautiful colours revealed! He also used Tudor bricks to put between the beams in the hall, replaced the three front downstairs windows and repointed the fireplace with a lime render. Two days after he finished, we received a letter saying we had been listed!!
The third and (as far as we are concerned) the last transformation took place in 1989. There was only a narrow strip of land behind the cottage and we were lucky enough to buy some more land from the then farmer, Robert White. This enabled us to plan and get Grade 2 listing permission for a single storey extension. The room behind the hall was extended to provide a downstairs bathroom and office, the kitchen was extended and the lean-to boiler room at the back made into a proper back porch / boiler / boot room. Upstairs we got rid of the bathroom and created a landing which stretched the length of the house, borrowing a bit to give bedroom 1 an ensuite shower room and had two dormer windows put in – one on the landing and the second in the little bedroom.
At last we were done!

Fyfield is a picturesque village steeped in history, offering a peaceful, rural lifestyle while remaining well-connected to nearby towns. Its scenic streets are lined with period cottages, historic buildings, and charming local amenities, including a church, two pubs, a shop/post office, Dr Walker's C of E Primary School and other community facilities. The surrounding countryside provides plenty of opportunities for walking, cycling, and enjoying nature, yet the village remains within easy reach of larger towns and transport links, making it ideal for commuters or those seeking a quieter pace without sacrificing accessibility.

Fyfield also has a strong sense of community, with local events, clubs, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes it more than just a place to live – it’s a place to belong. Whether you’re drawn to the history, the natural beauty, or the village’s warmth, Fyfield offers a uniquely desirable setting for families, professionals, and anyone looking for a blend of heritage and lifestyle.