From the gate at the bottom of their garden, Alison and her family can stroll straight out across the fields to watch the kites overhead. Their Hertfordshire home sits in an enviable position, within easy reach of vibrant Stevenage, with its many amenities, and yet also overlooking glorious countryside. “We were initially drawn to the house by the beautiful views,” Alison admits. “Beyond our back garden there are fields that drop down to the River Beane, a rare chalk stream. We can then see right up the valley on the other side of the river and over the hills as far as Benington. In front of the house, we also have beautiful fields and hills, and can see as far as Datchworth, with its hilltop church spire.”
COUNTRY LIVING

Dating back to the 1950s, the cottage is one of a handful of homes that nestle within land once owned by Astonbury Manor. The three-bedroom property with a garage has been home to Alison and her family for the past eight or so years and during that time they have renovated it throughout and made it their own. “We opened up the downstairs space to enhance the flow and create one large area,” she explains. “This now opens up into the conservatory and the garden beyond, so we can sit on the sofa and gaze out at the view.” She continues: “I love this house – it works perfectly for us as a home – but, more than anything else, living here is about the incredible rural setting. I wanted the house to feel part of the countryside and, with the changes that we’ve made, it really does.”

INTERIOR DESIGN

The property now features interiors that complement the natural surroundings. Carefully chosen feature wall colours and an eye-catching countryside wallpaper print from Scion sit within a largely neutral and airy backdrop. The bathroom features an old-style Burlington shower and metro tiles, while the kitchen has cream, shaker-style units, beech work surfaces and terracotta tiles. “We have opted for an English country style,” she suggests. “We have replaced windows and doors and redecorated throughout.” Other improvements have seen them convert a former alleyway into a useful utility area; create an en suite shower room and commission a beautiful, built-in bench, with storage space, for the conservatory. Alison adds: “New owners could consider enhancing the house even further. Our neighbours have carried out a loft conversion, which has given them an extra bedroom and (subject to the relevant planning permissions) it could be possible to extend the house at the back to create a larger kitchen-diner.” The property also boasts a nearly 7 metre long garage, which is a practical addition for any family. “It’s an absolute tardis and stores all our bikes as well as serving as a workshop for my husband,” says Alison.

ENTERTAINING SPACE

The ground-floor living space as it is now, however, has worked exceptionally well for the family. “We spend most of our time in the lounge, which opens into the conservatory, creating one large space of about 10 metres long. This is wonderful for entertaining.” In the summer months, the doors to the garden are kept open to enable everyone to spill outside. “Our son’s birthday is in July and we have had a lovely barbecue here every year to celebrate,” she says. “People can wander in and out easily and there is plenty of space for everyone.”

APPLE PIE DAYS

All the bedrooms and bathrooms are upstairs: the master bedroom, with the en suite shower room, is a particularly good size. “The house has adapted to home-working very well. In the colder months we have an office set up in one of the other bedrooms and when it’s warm enough we work out in the summer house with its stunning view over the fields,” Alison says. “The summer house also makes a great gym.” The garden, with its pretty pergola, is a magnificent extension to the house. “We spend a lot of time outside when the weather is nice,” she agrees. “We have an apple tree out there too that gives us fruit for crumbles and pies throughout Autumn.”

ROOMS WITH VIEWS

While the rural location of the house has been a great pleasure, it has also proved to be exceptionally convenient. “I work in Brussels and Strasbourg and find it very easy to get to the station to catch a fast train into London. We can walk to the supermarket; there are schools close by and we have two pubs in the village,” she says. “At the same time, there are lovely spots for a walk, including bluebell woods, and there are also lots of great cycle trails in the area.” Alison agrees that more than anything she will miss the location of the house when she moves. “I go into the gym in the garden every morning and when I come out the sun is rising over the fields,” she says. “This is such an incredible place to live – in fact, we are lucky enough to have a beautiful view from every window in the house.”

SETTING THE SCENE

To the front of the house, there is a pretty garden with a laburnum tree and sloe bush. To the rear, the property opens up on to a large lawned garden, with ample space for outdoor entertaining and relaxation, as well as for children to play. There is an apple tree and the garden features a summer house and a gate on to the field behind. The property enjoys country views to the front and rear.

“We were initially drawn to the house by the beautiful views.”

“Beyond our back garden there are fields that drop down to the River Beane, a rare chalk stream.”

“We can see right up the valley on the other side of the river –and over the hills as far as Benington.”

“In front of the house, we have beautiful fields and hills, and can see as far as Datchworth, with its hilltop church spire.”

“We opened up the downstairs space to enhance the flow and create one large area.”

“The main room now opens up into the conservatory and the garden beyond, so we can sit on the sofa and gaze out at the view.”
“More than anything else, living here is about the incredible rural setting.”

“I wanted the house to feel part of the countryside and, with the changes that we’ve made, it really does.”

“We spend most of our time in the main room, which opens into the conservatory, creating one large space of about 10 metres long. This is wonderful for entertaining.”

“Our son’s birthday is in July and we have had a lovely barbecue here every year to celebrate.”

“We have apple trees that give us fruit for crumbles and pies in August.”

“We can walk to the supermarket; there are schools close by and we have two pubs in the village.”

“There are lovely spots for a walk, including bluebell woods, and there are also lots of great cycle trails in the area.”

“I go into the gym in the garden every morning and when I come out the sun is rising over the fields.”

“This is such an incredible place to live – in fact, we are lucky enough to have a beautiful view from every window in the house.”