4 bedroom house

DESCRIPTION
A charming detached 17th century period house with Victorian additions that provides extensive accommodation throughout which period features abound. Having evolved over the centuries there is a delightful mix of original fireplaces including an inglenook to the sitting room, exposed timbers and brickwork, original flagstone floors, vaulted ceilings, wood block flooring and Elm floorboards are all present. Once a public house,The Gate Inn, until the late 1960's, after which the present owners bought the house and have created a comfortable and good size home for their family. The property is grade II listed and provides great scope for future improvement and has outbuildings that could, subject to obtaining planning permissions, be converted to form additional accommodation or an annexe.

Of particular note are the wonderful mature gardens. Extending to over 1.25 acres with a delightful courtyard area to the very rear of the house beyond which are extensive lawns and a former paddock. There is a carriage driveway and ample parking together with various extensive outbuildings and garaging. 

LOCATION/WHEMPSTEAD
Whempstead is a small hamlet set in beautiful unspoilt countryside midway between the neighbouring towns of Ware, Hertford and Stevenage that are all approximately 5 miles away. Nearby Watton-at stone provides a full range of amenities including its railway station (Stevenage and Moorgate), village stores with post-office, an award winning butchers as well as two pubs/restaurants .

The local market towns of Ware and Hertford offer extensive recreational and shopping facilities and there are excellent private and state schools for all ages in the locality such as Heath Mount (2 miles), St Edmunds College (5 miles) and Haileybury College (10 miles). There is golf at East Herts Golf Club (6 miles) and Hanbury Manor Country Club (5 miles).  

STEP INSIDE
A lovely Oak front door opens into a glazed porch which in turn leads to an inviting and spacious reception hall with original Elm floorboards and window to the front aspect. The cosy sitting room is a delight with exposed timbers, original wood block flooring, windows to front and the side and a beautiful red brick inglenook fireplace. A door leads down to the Cellar that still has its barrel shute. The oil fired boiler is also conveniently hidden away in the cellar. At the rear of the house, opening onto the garden is a good size conservatory. The kitchen/breakfast room is a good size with a large pantry, an extensive range of cupboards and worktops together with a multi-fuel stove. The breakfast area looks out over the garden. Adjoining is a large dining room with impressive original Victorian fireplace, windows overlooking the garden and doors opening into the conservatory. On the other side of the kitchen is a side hallway with doors to both the front and rear and door into the living room. Formerly a barn that has been converted to form a lovely large living room full of character with vaulted ceiling, exposed timbers, fireplace with wood burning stove and French doors leading out to the garden. There is a ground floor bathroom with roll top bath, wc and wash basin.

Upstairs off the landing is a family bathroom and the four bedrooms. There are two good size double bedrooms each with shower cubicle, wash basin and built in cupboards/wardrobes. There are also two good size single bedrooms with wash basins 

STEP OUTSIDE
Undoubtedly, one of the main features of Gate Cottage are the beautiful gardens and setting.

Approached off the lane via a five bar gate into a gravel carriage driveway that provides ample parking for numerous vehicles. At the side of the cottage is a detached barn with a garage and a stable, with a covered store at the rear. The gardens are well screened by high mature hedges, trees and fencing. At the rear of the house is an attractive courtyard area with paved terrace and fishpond. Adjoining the courtyard is a large detached outbuilding with extensive workshop/storage rooms and garage that are ripe for conversion for a variety of uses including into self contained accommodation (subject to obtaining the necessary consents). At the rear of this outbuilding is a further area of garden that also benefits from road access.

The main gardens are quite stunning and laid to lawn with mature trees and shrubs together with well stocked flower beds and borders.  

GENERAL INFORMATION
Local Authority: East Herts DC: . Council Tax Band: G
EPC: Exempt.
Grade II Listed
Mains water and electricity are connected. Oil fired central heating by radiators. Private drainage.

Marketed by: Fine and Country, Ware