The Street, Barton Mills

SITUATION & LOCATION Steeped in centuries of history, Lord Mayor's Cottage is a distinguished Grade II listed thatched residence believed to date back to the 15th century. The property is widely associated with Sir Henry Barton, Lord Mayor of London in 1416 and 1428, who is thought to have lived here during his lifetime, adding a remarkable historical connection to this already captivating home.

According to Historic England, the house is primarily a 17th-century building with a late-medieval core and early 19th-century alterations. Predominantly timber-framed and plastered, with elements of the structural frame exposed externally, the cottage displays a wealth of architectural detail typical of its long evolution. The charming thatched roof is punctuated by gabled dormers, while a prominent central chimney built of red and gault brick rises above the ridge. Traditional casement windows from the 18th and 19th centuries feature leaded lights with delicate arched glazing bars and decorative stained glass in the Gothic style. An attractive fish-scale slated canopy, supported on slender posts, shelters the 19th-century panelled entrance door, while internally the building reveals further historic craftsmanship, including sections of tension-braced studwork and heavy lodged floor joists within the cross-wing that may date back to the 15th century.

Rich in character and authenticity, Lord Mayors Cottage occupies a delightful and highly private setting within gardens and grounds extending to approximately two acres (subject to survey). These beautifully arranged grounds descend gently to the banks of the River Lark, where the property enjoys both fishing and mooring rights. Over the years the house has been thoughtfully improved and sensitively updated, ensuring modern comfort while preserving its historic charm and architectural integrity. Today it provides a wonderfully versatile home arranged over two floors, where the sense of heritage and craftsmanship is immediately evident upon entering.

At the heart of the home lies a beautifully appointed kitchen, fitted with bespoke handcrafted solid wood cabinetry and polished granite work surfaces. An electric Aga range oven provides both warmth and character, while a central island with traditional butcher's block top offers an ideal space for informal dining and food preparation. The adjoining hardwood-framed garden room is a particularly inviting space, allowing the gardens to be enjoyed throughout the seasons. Elsewhere on the ground floor are several reception rooms including a welcoming sitting room with open fireplace, a formal dining room, a cosy snug and a separate study.

The accommodation is arranged across two floors and offers four bedrooms, complemented by a ground-floor bathroom and two cloakrooms. On the first floor, the principal bathroom is beautifully finished and features a striking copper freestanding bath together with a separate shower cubicle. Additional practical spaces include a dressing room, a utility room and a full gas-fired central heating system. 

THE VILLAGE The historic village of Barton Mills lies on the southern bank of the River Lark and offers a welcoming rural community with a rich heritage. The name is believed, according to the linguist Eilert Ekwall, to derive from the Old English meaning "corn farm by the mill", reflecting the area's long agricultural history.

Today Barton Mills retains a strong sense of village life, with an active village hall, a well-regarded church and several popular public houses that serve as social hubs for residents. The village is ideally positioned for access to the wider region, lying just nine miles from the renowned horseracing town of Newmarket and approximately fourteen miles from the historic market town of Bury St Edmunds, both of which provide an excellent range of shopping, dining and leisure facilities.

Conveniently located just off the A11 road, Barton Mills also offers straightforward connections to Cambridge and London, making it an attractive setting for those seeking the charm of a historic village combined with practical access to major centres. 

ENTRANCE HALL With sealed unit double glazed leaded light entrance doors; radiator; fitted carpet; arched glazed panelled door to office/dining room; sealed unit double glazed leaded light door to rear garden. 

INNER HALLWAY Access to loft space with loft ladder; sealed unit double glazed windows; fitted carpet. 

CLOAKROOM With WC and wash basin; heated chrome towel rail; feature arched sealed unit double glazed window; marble tiled floor; oak latched door. 

UTILITY ROOM 10' 2" x 6' 5" (3.10m x 1.98m) Butler sink with mixer tap, oak block worksurface. Plumbing for washing machine and space for dishwasher; space for American size fridge freezer; Norfolk pamment tiled floor; sealed unit double glazed hardwood window and fully glazed door to outside. Cupboard housing wall mounted gas-fired boiler (serving central heating and domestic hot water). Cupboard housing hot water cylinder and immersion heater; oak latched door. 

BEDROOM 10' 2" x 9' 1" (3.12m x 2.78m) Built-in wardrobe cupboards with over-bed storage cupboards; sealed unit double glazed window; radiator; fitted carpet. 

BEDROOM 13' 10" x 10' 0" (4.23m x 3.06m) Double aspect sealed unit double glazed windows; radiator; vanity wash basin with mirror and light over; fitted carpet. 

BATHROOM 10' 2" x 7' 2" (3.12m x 2.19m) Panelled bath with shower/mixer and glass shower screen. Vanity washbasin and W.C; ladder style heated towel rail; part tiling to walls; sealed unit double glazed window. 

KITCHEN 15' 2" x 10' 3" (4.63m x 3.14m) Handmade bespoke cabinets including range of wall and floor cupboard units with Granite work surfaces over incorporating Butler sink unit with mixer tap and water spray tap; central island with Butchers block working surface, some Poppy Oak and Ash joinery, pull out drawers, cutlery drawers etc; integrated dishwasher, bin store and larder fridge, freestanding Aga range cooker with twin hot plates, three ovens, extractor above. Exposed joists; Glass splashback; Norfolk Pamment tiled floor; sealed unit double glazed windows; radiator. 

OFFICE/DINING ROOM 14' 8" x 8' 7" (4.49m x 2.64m) Exposed beam: leaded light-stained glass window to front aspect; twin arched windows at side and arched glazed door leading to entrance hall. Fitted carpet. 

GARDEN ROOM 15' 9" x 12' 2" (4.81m x 3.73m) With hardwood framed leaded light sealed unit double glazed windows with French doors to rear terrace; hardwood framed roof with sealed unit double glazing; radiator; ceramic tiled floor. 

SITTING ROOM 15' 11" x 13' 8" (4.86m x 4.17m) Fireplace with inset grate and chimney canopy, log store below and Pamment hearth; exposed joist and stud work; radiator; matching wall lights; leaded light stained glass window to front aspect; feature arched window to rear aspect; fitted carpet. 

INNER HALLWAY With exposed beams, joists and stud work; radiator; staircase leading to first floor; fitted carpet; leading to: 

STUDY AREA 11' 9" x 11' 7" (3.60m x 3.55m) With secondary glazing to leaded light windows; exposed joists, beam and stud work; radiator; fitted carpet; low doorway to outside. 

CLOAKROOM Exposed joists and stud work; with WC and wash basin. Fitted carpet. 

SNUG 11' 5" x 10' 10" (3.49m x 3.31m) Ingelnook fireplace with Bessemer beam; exposed beams; leaded light-stained glass window to front aspect; sealed unit double glazed leaded light window to side; fitted carpet. Door leading to outside.
 

STAIRCASE LEADING FROM INNER HALLWAY TO FIRST FLOOR:  

LANDING Leaded light stained glass windows; storage cupboard with shelving; exposed stud work; fitted carpet. 

BEDROOM 11' 3" x 11' 1" (3.44m x 3.39m) Exposed joists and stud work; exposed floorboards; double aspect leaded light stained glass windows; matching wall lights; radiator. 

BATHROOM Charming freestanding copper bath (internally tinned and Verdigris exterior) with copper shower/mixer tap; high-level WC and feature vanity wash basin with copper mixer tap (by Thomas crapper); corner approach shower cubicle with sliding glass door incorporating thermostatically controlled shower (overhead rain shower and handheld); enamel/copper antique radiator/towel rail; exposed stud work; radiator; leaded light stained glass window; Amtico vinyl tiled flooring. 

BEDROOM 15' 3" x 14' 10" (4.66m x 4.53m) With exposed joists and stud work; sloping ceilings; dormer Windows; radiator; matching wall lights; fitted carpet. Three steps leading up, through a door and then down to:  

DRESSING ROOM/BEDROOM 10' 8" x 10' 0" (3.27m x 3.06m) With exposed joists and stud work; sloping ceilings; fitted wardrobe cupboard; leaded light stained glass window to front aspect; built-in wardrobe cupboard; vanity wash basin; fitted carpet. 

OUTSIDE Set discreetly behind a neat hedge, Lord Mayor's Cottage is approached via an extensive shingled driveway providing generous parking and leading to the attached garage with double side-hung doors, power and lighting. The front garden is attractively planted with a variety of shrubs and flowering plants, while a traditional lychgate offers a charming pedestrian entrance directly from the village street.

The gardens and grounds extend overall to approximately two acres (subject to survey) and are a defining feature of the property. To the rear, landscaped lawns and established planting create a series of tranquil outdoor spaces including a paved terrace ideal for entertaining, a small ornamental pond with rockery, and a much larger wildlife pond fed by two natural springs.

The property enjoys direct frontage onto the River Lark, where the gently flowing waters and natural riverbank attract a wealth of wildlife. Otters and deer are frequent visitors, while during the summer months the clear water reveals fish such as chub, pike and roach. The gardens also provide a haven for many species of birds, further enhancing the sense of rural tranquillity.

Within the grounds lies a particularly enchanting feature known as the "Secret Rose Garden", a secluded seating area enclosed by neatly clipped yew hedging, creating a peaceful and private retreat. Nearby, a cedar greenhouse, productive vegetable beds and a variety of fruit trees offer excellent opportunities for kitchen gardening. Mature and newly planted trees frame the landscape, while rose arbours woven with rambling roses provide colour and fragrance throughout the warmer months. 

SERVICES All mains services are connected. Mains drainage. Gas fired central heating. 

COUNCIL TAX Band F 

TENURE Freehold