MOFFATS FARM 65 Moffats Lane - The Guild of Professional Estate

Fine & Country
Fine & Country is a global network of estate agencies
specialising in the marketing, sale and rental of luxury
residential property. With offices in the UK, Ireland, The
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combine the widespread exposure of the international
marketplace with the local expertise and knowledge of
carefully selected independent property professionals.
Fine & Country appreciates the most exclusive and
more expensive properties require a more compelling,
sophisticated and intelligent presentation - leading to a
common, yet uniquely exercised and successful strategy
emphasising the lifestyle qualities of the property. This
unique approach to luxury homes marketing delivers
high quality, intelligent and creative concepts for property
promotion combined with the latest technology and
marketing techniques.
We understand moving home is one of the most important
decisions you make; your home is both a financial and
emotional investment. With Fine & Country you benefit from
the local knowledge, experience, expertise and contacts of
a well trained, educated and courteous team of professionals,
working to make the sale or purchase of your property as
stress free as possible.
Fine & Country brookmans park
Tel: +44 (0)1707 662222
[email protected]
The Estate Office, Bradmore Green
Brookmans Park, Herts AL9 7QS
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MOFFATS FARM
65 Moffats Lane | Brookmans Park | AL9 7RT
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Moffats
MOFFATS FARM
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This stunning house built in the mid 1500s is considered to be
the oldest property in Brookmans Park. Until the late 1950’s
it was a working farm, when it was converted into a substantial
family home, oozing with charm, character and beauty.
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Farm
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An extraordinary opportunity to purchase what is considered to be the
oldest property in Brookmans Park! A stunning Grade II* Listed, five
bedroom detached family home with spacious living accommodation,
professionally designed interior and beautiful garden with a “barn” that
can be used as an external office.
overview
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Built circa 1550-1560 around the period that Elizabeth 1
ascended the throne at Hatfield House, playwrights such
as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe were
flourishing and just before the English defeat of the Spanish
Armada; this is truly a rare opportunity to buy into a slice of
Brookmans Park history.
In circa 1605 the farm was acquired by William Moffat, having
originally been known as Walters Farm, hence the name of the
road on which the property currently sits.
There is speculation that the nursery rhyme, Little Miss Muffet
was written at the house by a Dr Muffet (1553-1604), a
famous entomologist in the late 16th Century for his daughter
Patience Muffet.
step inside
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Brookmans Park partly exists because of Moffats Farm when
the Railways built Moffats Halt for the lady of Moffats Farm as
an appeasement for having a railway line run across the farm
which, at the time, was thought may upset the cows and thus
Moffats Halt became Brookmans Park station.
The farm remained a working farm up to the late 1950’s when
the listed rye barn was a hen house for over 600 chickens. This
was subsequently renovated in 2004 and relocated to become
a separate office/annexe.
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vendor
This attractive five bedroom detached
period home, which is Grade II* Listed
and dates back to the 1500s, is located
in Brookmans Park. Set in delightful secluded
gardens, which include a Listed barn currently
used as an office, the property also has a
carriage driveway and a detached single garage.
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insight
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“Moffats Farm has been our home since October
1999,” recalls Elizabeth. “Before that, we lived further along
the road. Brookmans Park has brilliant local amenities, including
train and bus services, and is close to the A1 and the M25 within
easy reach of London. Moffats Farm is a village landmark with its
faded timbers, old bricks and period features, and always drew
our attention and admiration as we passed by. We lost out the
first time it came onto the market, but luckily for us, the new
footballer owner was transferred just two years later, so we were
able to celebrate the turn of the Millennium at Moffats Farm with
fireworks all around!”
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“Initially, extensive repairs were required to protect
the house,” remembers Elizabeth. “We put in surround
drainage, tanked the cellar and repaired the roof and
windows. We wanted to retain the original features, while
renovating to today’s standards, which involved restoring
the bathrooms and kitchen. We found craftsmen to hand
make the kitchen cupboards, oak dresser and sideboard.
A storeroom in the master bedroom became an en suite,
the rear part of the tandem garage was converted into a
useful laundry room, and the vaulted attic became another
bedroom, particularly loved by children who come to stay.
We’ll especially miss not only the tranquil garden but also the
drawing room, where in summer we can open the doors to
the terrace and in winter enjoy a fire in the centuries
old fireplace.”
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“Another large project was to rebuild the dilapidated Listed grain barn on a new site at the back of the garden,” explains Bernard. “Every tile, brick
and beam was numbered carefully and re-used where possible, while the stone staddles on which it sits, were restored and supplemented. The barn now provides excellent
office space. We feel the garden is a particular feature of the property now, which we’ll miss very much,” continues Elizabeth. “We had it re-landscaped to include a terrace,
a pond with a fountain, and external lighting, while the well in the cellar now supplies water for lawn sprinklers and watering. The garden is a very private space where
one can just sit, relax and listen to the bird song; we enjoy the late evening sun from the comfort of a swing hammock on the far side of the lawn.” We feel we’ve been
privileged to be custodians of one of the oldest houses in the area and we hope its new owners will enjoy it as much as we have,” concludes Elizabeth.
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Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in metric with imperial equivalents and for general guidance
only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and
appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order.
Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included
with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Printed 07.09.2015
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Since the very early days the property has been
extended considerably to provide a substantial
family home full of charm and character. All
rooms are extremely well proportioned, on
the ground floor there is a dual aspect drawing
room with inglenook fireplace, a sitting room
with a beamed vaulted ceiling and two sets
of doors onto the beautiful garden, a dining
room with inglenook fireplace and a hand built
wooden kitchen/breakfast room.
Off the inner hallway is the W/C and door
to the dry cellar which could be made into a
cinema or play room.
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The wide stairway to the first floor features
an original stained glass window leading to the
first floor landing. There are four bedrooms
on this floor, with the master bedroom
featuring a fireplace and en suite, fireplaces
in all but one of the other bedrooms and
another stained glass feature to the second
bedroom. The family bathroom is spacious
with a freestanding bath, wash hand basin
and W/C a tiled floor and wall beams. There
is also a shower room adjacent. Another
staircase takes you to the second floor where
there is a characterful multi-beamed bedroom.
local area
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The secluded rear garden is a delight to behold! There is a full width terrace
with a good size lawn and shrub and flower beds and a selection of fruit trees.
Towards the rear of the garden is the office (which was formerly a rye barn/
hen house), with power, water, drainage and broadband. This is a particularly
attractive aspect of the property with a large vaulted beamed ceiling.
The garage is of good length with power and light and to the rear is a laundry
room with a butler sink, plumbing for washing machine, venting for tumble
dryer, space for extra fridge/freezer, wooden units and work surface.
To the front is a carriage driveway providing parking for several vehicles and a
lovely lavender and rose bed surrounded by box hedging.
A very short distance away is access to Gobions Open Space and Gobions
Woods with views over open countryside, a childrens’ playground with lakes and
walks which are very popular. The Village centre is nearby catering for every day
needs and still enjoys traditional shops such as a fishmongers, butcher, bakers
and greengrocers as well as Brookmans gastro pub, hairdressers, supermarket,
florists, dentist, restaurants etc, etc. Brookmans Park train station is also situated
within the heart of the Village allowing direct access to London Finsbury Park,
Kings Cross and Moorgate.
Viewing arrangements strictly via the vendors’ sole agents
Fine & Country on 01707 662222
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Moffats
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Farm
MOFFATS FARM
The property has been extended over the years but always with
empathy and respect to its remarkable character.
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