The Old Kings Head, Quendon, Essex

This five-bedroom, Grade II-listed former public house sits in the bucolic village of Quendon, near Saffron Walden. With roots in the 18th century, it abounds with original features and is formed of a network of interconnected structures that have formed to hug an idyllic cobbled courtyard at the rear. There is an exceptionally pretty garden with established planting, as well as a private driveway. Contemporary interventions throughout the building are sensitive and much care has been taken not to overshadow the richly storied bones of the house. Travel to London takes as little as an hour and 15 minutes by road, while trains from Bishop's Stortford run to Liverpool Street in around 45 minutes.

Setting the Scene

The conjoined villages of Quendon and Rickling sit on the outskirts of the historic town of Saffron Walden, where a thriving market serving much of the surrounding area with fresh local produce has been held since the 12th century. Quendon was mentioned in the fabled Doomsday Book of 1086, noted as being formed of a collection of just 10 dwellings. Today, the village comprises a number of handsome Georgian and Victorian houses of varying stature and architectural styles, as well as an utterly charming Grade II*-listed flint-stone church, St Simon and St Jude's, atop a small hill overlooking much of the village. Across the centuries the building of The Old Kings Head has been at the centre of village life, having served as a pub, an antique shop, a cobblers and an American billet during World War II.


The Grand Tour

The front façade of The Old Kings Head sees a bold juxtaposition with the face of the gleaming white exterior wall punctuated by a number of Georgian sash windows at the ground and first floors, their casements painted in glossy black. In tandem with the house's moniker, its striking façade is one of a number of charming remaining features that nod to the structure's past life as a traditional country pub. Also of note is the rectangular panel, sitting just below the eves, that reads the year '1721' and is surmounted by a cup in half relief.

Through the handsome front door, which is complete with imposing flat-topped and pilastered Georgian architrave and original bell pull, the long hallway opens up to reveal a sightline directly to the backdoor. Here, refurbished 19th-century floorboards run underfoot and into the sitting room at the front of the plan. This room enjoys a wonderful quality of light afforded by its shallow bay window and is warmed by a recently installed wood burner in the colder months. Forming a focal point within the room, the refurbished brick fireplace, with a patinated bressummer beam, is flanked by two generous storage cupboards, each with an original timber door and iron latch lock. In keeping with the building's historic roots, fine Venetian lime plaster work extends across the walls of this room and throughout the reception spaces on the ground floor.

The open plan kitchen-dining room is a textured and atmospheric space that enjoys the full depth of the house's plan and dual-aspect fenestration. The kitchen is both brilliantly equipped and sensitive to the structure's many historic features. Slate flooring is complimented by waist height shaker style cabinetry, painted in Farrow and Ball's 'Downpipe', that runs along the walls, providing ample storage for essential kitchen utensils and dried goods. There is a large stainless steel range cooker by Britannia, behind which original arched brickwork has been highlighted with a piece of glass forming a practical splash-back for the gas hob. The sink is stainless steel and decorative honeycomb-patterned mosaic tiles extend up the wall behind, providing added visual interest and practicality. The dishwasher and fridge-freezer are by Siemens and Bosch and integrated within the units.

Exposed beams run across the full length of the expansive room and draw the eye towards an impressive inglenook fireplace at the far end. This element of the home reminds of the buildings previous use and would have been the very nucleus of life within what was then The Kings Head Inn. The current owners have their large family dining table arranged here, with an original doorway servicing direct access to the rear courtyard and facilitating a wonderful flow of indoor-outdoor living and entertaining when the weather allows. This floor also accommodates a large and well-illuminated room at the front corner of the plan, currently arranged as a quiet home study and set with a large fireplace, as well as a neatly tiled shower room.

Forming the basis of the courtyard, there are three substantial single-storey spaces that extend in an 'L' shape from the rear of the main house. There is a large store, providing utility and laundry space as well as two barns. The first barn is presented as an at-home gym, having recently been refurbished, whilst the second is used as garden storage. Within this second barn, there is a carefully preserved trough with remnants of 18th-century inscriptions, perhaps a marking from one of the stable hands who would have cared for the coach-horses of the many inn-goers. The home's sizeable cellar boasts an original barrel run door, through which the pub's ale would have entered.

There are five bedrooms upstairs; three are doubles, with the additional two currently arranged as cheery children's rooms. These rooms are serviced by a family bathroom, recently renovated and boasting an attractive freestanding roll-top bath with an overhead shower. A lead window panel in the wall here hints at the space's previous function as the pub offices. An additional WC is located at the top of the staircase, with tongue-and-groove panelling painted sky blue.

The Great Outdoors

The central courtyard at the back of the house serves as an extension of the internal living space in the warmer months. Sunny pea gravel has been laid, under which the worn and smoothed original stable cobbles remain; the owners have made excellent use of this space as an area for entertaining and outdoor dining.

Beyond the courtyard is a south-facing walled lawn with well-tended raised beds along the border, designed to be as low-maintenance as possible. Among the blooms, richly coloured fuchsias, crocosmia and Japanese anemone flower throughout the spring and summer, whilst wild veins of vivid green ivy trace the red-brick wall. Climbing roses and honeysuckles scent the air while fruit trees - cherry, apple, plum and peach - supply homegrown ingredients for jams, tarts and salads. A brilliant flint wall, with remnants of repairs past, borders the drive where there is parking for up to three cars.

Out and About

Benefitting both from the amenities of the historic villages of Quendon and Rickling, and with direct access to open countryside, the home straddles bucolic seclusion and warm, engaged community. The lush, green landscape of Essex abounds with opportunity for walking and cycling, as well as boasting many bridleways. Of particular note is a much-loved loop walk from Rickling Green to the parish of Ugley, taking in bluebell woods and fields of alpacas.

Close to The Old Kings Head, Rickling's village green is thought to play host to the country's second oldest cricket pitch. The aptly named Cricketer's Arms sits on its periphery, serving a selection of elevated pub classics as well as excellent vegetarian and vegan options. With numerous award-winning restaurants, Saffron Walden is a foodie's haven and less than 15 minutes by car. Frequently recommended are Chater's for lowkey, reliably delicious lunches and the Eight Bells for lolling Sunday roasts. The town also has an ever expanding array of boutiques and antique shops, as well as a cinema, large Waitrose and Tesco.

The architectural and historic delights of Cambridge are a 35-minute drive away, with the likes of the Fitzwilliam Museum providing a wonderful array of exhibitions and events throughout the year. Garden lovers will be captivated by The English Heritage site, Audley End House and Gardens, about 10 minutes drive away.

Rickling Green's CoE Primary School is very well regarded by parents and there are also a number of excellent independent schools nearby including, Dame Bradbury in Saffron Walden and the Leys School in Cambridge.

Transport to London and beyond is excellent; Audley End Station is just five minutes away, with services running from here to Liverpool Street in around 50 minutes. Stansted Airport is around 20 minutes away by car, for travel across the UK and internationally.

Council Tax Band: G