moffats farm, brookmans park

Fine & Country brookmans park

Tel: +44 (0)1707 [email protected] Estate Office, Bradmore Green Brookmans Park, Herts AL9 7QS

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 Channel Islands, France, Spain, Hungary, Portugal, Russia, Dubai, Egypt, South Africa, West Africa and Namibia we 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.

MOFFATS FARM 65 Moffats Lane | Brookmans Park | AL9 7RT

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MoffatsMOFFATS FARMThis 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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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.

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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.

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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.


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.

vendor


“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!”

insight


“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.”


“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.


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.


local area

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.


Viewing arrangements strictly via the vendors’ sole agents Fine & Country on 01707 662222

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.


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FarmMOFFATS FARM The property has been extended over the years but always with empathy and respect to its remarkable character.


moffats farm, brookmans park

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