The Common, Chipperfield, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire

There are houses where the address tells you almost everything you need to know and Stones Throw really is just that. Sitting directly opposite Chipperfield Common, this gorgeous Grade II listed three bedroom flint cottage puts one of the village’s best loved open spaces quite literally a stone’s throw from the front door.

Rarely available and full of character, the house has been extended over the years to create a three bedroom home that feels every bit as special inside as its setting suggests. The current owners have decorated and dressed it with a real understanding of the building, combining colour, texture and period detail in a way that feels warm and individual rather than overly polished.

The ground floor has plenty of personality, with the living and dining spaces providing room to both relax and entertain. Traditional details, including barn style doors, sit comfortably alongside the more contemporary finishes, while the kitchen forms a practical everyday space at the rear. There is also a downstairs WC.

Upstairs are three bedrooms and the family bathroom. The house has clearly evolved over time, but there may still be further potential. Neighbouring cottages have been extended, setting a precedent locally, and Stones Throw could offer scope for further enlargement, subject of course to the necessary planning and listed building consents.

Outside, the long rear garden is another real highlight. Established planting gives it a wonderfully private, cottage garden feel, with plenty of room for outdoor dining and entertaining. An outbuilding with power sits towards the end of the garden, useful as a workshop, studio or home working space, while off-street parking is another valuable addition.

A new boiler has also recently been installed.

But ultimately, it’s the lifestyle here that is difficult to replicate. Step outside and Chipperfield Common is directly in front of you, with village pubs, local shops, the church and the highly regarded primary school all close at hand. Morning walks across the Common, a drink at the pub, the school run on foot and village life quite literally on the doorstep.

Homes in this position don’t come along very often. Stones Throw is less about simply buying a three bedroom cottage and more about buying into a way of life in the heart of Chipperfield.