A dreamy thatched property in North Hertfordshire which allows you to balance life in the country and work in the city
Live the best of both worlds at Grade II listed The Old Mill Cottage, near the small Hertfordshire village of Rushden.

Although requiring a bit more upkeep on top, thatched cottages effortlessly instil a sense of magic that seems to radiate through the walls and out through their honey-coloured roofs.
The Old Mill Cottage is clearly no exception, with its sleepy dormers, thick thatch rooftop and hidden balcony that overlooks the garden.
Found in the sleepy village of Mill End, near Rushden in North Hertfordshire, the three-bed house is described by Cheffins — the agents overseeing the sale — as ‘immaculate’, having been subject to recent renovation works that elevate the charming interiors without compromising the historic charm and style.
Grade II Listed and on the market via Cheffins with a guide price of £1.2 million, it has all the features you could hope to find inside: parquet flooring, plenty of exposed beams, feature fireplaces and spacious rooms, which, when met with fresh bathrooms and bright interiors, creates an altogether calming, timeless environment.
A particularly unique element is the sheltered balcony that can be accessed via one of the bedrooms on the first floor, which enjoys really idyllic views across the garden. The remaining first-floor bedroom shares a shower room, while a potential third bedroom (which could also function as a study) is located on the ground floor.
With a spacious living/dining room, cute kitchen, glazed garden room and separate garage (with a bathroom), The Old Mill Cottage is ideal for couples and small families alike. However, there is planning permission in place to convert the separate storage barn/stable into a single-storey annexe, which opens up further accommodation options or the possibility to create a home studio or separate office space.
The gardens are just as idyllic as the property itself, amounting to 3.89 acres. A mix of paved patio areas, gravelled al fresco dining spaces, a timber storage shed, mature trees, flower beds and lawn complete the space. There is also a field set slightly further back from the formal garden.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Rushden is a small village (roughly 200 residents according to the local village website), with many houses dating back to the 16th century. Although there is no shop, there is a village hall, church, garden centre, and pub. It’s located about five miles from the market town of Buntingford and just over five miles from Baldock which has a train station that runs services into London St Pancras in under an hour.
The Old Mill Cottage is currently on the market via Cheffins with a guide price of £1.2 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
Country Life Quiz of the Day: Houses, volcanoes and a bullseye
10 questions to test your memory, nous and instinct for a wild guess.
By Toby Keel Published
-
'We’re still using the garden gates from Far from the Madding Crowd': How homes of all shapes and sizes can become stars of the screen
Renting your house out for filming can be fun, occasionally alarming, a good revenue stream and might even increase its value.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
'We’re still using the garden gates from Far from the Madding Crowd': How homes of all shapes and sizes can become stars of the screen
Renting your house out for filming can be fun, occasionally alarming, a good revenue stream and might even increase its value.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
The quirky, cosy and characterful cottage that was once home to Spike Milligan and where Paul McCartney is a neighbour
This very wonky living room is somehow only the third most interesting thing about The Cottage in Hog Hill
By James Fisher Published
-
A glorious 17th century home in one of the most exclusive waterside villages in Britain
Orchard House was lucky not to have been sunk beneath the surface of Rutland Water when it was created in the 1970s — but it did, and today this wonderful spot is looking better than ever.
By Toby Keel Last updated
-
A honey-coloured, 300-year-old rectory where every period-house headache has already been solved for you
The Old Rectory is a charming family home that's just undergone an extensive renovation.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
The sleepy village hall that's been transformed into a breathtaking home
The Village Hall in Shotley Bridge is a masterful conversion of a much-loved village amenity.
By James Fisher Published
-
Six wonderful rural homes for sale, as seen in Country Life
Our pick of the best homes to feature in Country Life over the past week includes a grand Sussex estate and a delightful riverside home.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A five-bedroom former farmhouse brought to life with one of the finest living rooms we've seen
Glebe Farm in Nottinghamshire has undergone an astounding restoration to create a very special home.
By James Fisher Published
-
A five-acre estate at the heart of the 'prettiest village in Leicestershire'
Horninghold Hall is the jewel in the crown of Horninghold.
By Penny Churchill Last updated