Cople Cottage, 34, Northill Road, Bedford, MK44 3TU

Cople Cottage comes to market for the first time since 1961. Grade II, 17th century, with 2,424 sq ft and on c.0.9 acres, it presents character, space and privacy - all in a peaceful village setting.

Accommodation Cople Cottage has much extant evidence of its 17th-century origins, from textured roughcast externally and exposed beams internally, to quirkiness and character throughout.

Its Grade II listing confirms its historical significance, while the fact it’s been in the same family for 65 years shows how cherished it’s been as a home.

The property’s cosiness and charm befits its ‘cottage’ title, yet there’s surprisingly generous space, surpassing 2,400 sq ft. No matter which way in you take, the accommodation continues to unfold...

From the entrance porch are three reception rooms, currently with distinct uses, but with flexibility.

The room next to the kitchen is used for formal dining, the one with the fireplace as a lounge, and the third as an office - with doors onto the garden for when you need to step away from the screen.

The office is particularly bright from the glazed roof, as well as versatile, with possibility for a ground-floor bedroom, or perhaps a treatment room as it has a separate entrance for clients.

At the eastern end of the house is a recent addition: The impressive kitchen/dining/living space. This open-plan area is made for both entertaining friends and spending time together as a family.

Double-glazed windows to all aspects flood the space with light and offer lovely outlooks of the garden, while the wide pocket door gives direct access onto the patio for warm days (this tucks all the way in, truly uniting indoors with out).

There’s also underfloor heating for the colder months. The kitchen is fitted in quality cabinetry, quartz surfacing and with a ceramic sink and a range of integrated appliances.

The large island is wood-topped and provides bar seating. The secondary kitchen is useful as a utility room, and there’s a convenient downstairs cloakroom. Upstairs are four double bedrooms.

The connected two could be used as a bedroom and dressing room, and there’s an adjacent bathroom too.

The principal bedroom benefits from an en suite shower, while the fourth bedroom is opposite the four-piece family bathroom.

The first floor is accessed via stairs from the lounge (as well as the option for a ground-floor bedroom, there’s potential to install a lift to further futureproof the property).

Outside Cople Cottage occupies a south-facing plot of almost an acre. What was once the kitchen garden for Cople House hundreds of years ago is a stunning outdoor space today.

The walled gardens are incredibly private, well-maintained, and stocked with varied and vibrant planting. A tennis court sits in the middle, and there’s a secluded and serene ‘second’ garden beyond.

This has more expanse of lawn interspersed with trees, and affords far-reaching views across open fields - with Cardington hangars in the distance.

Outbuildings include a garage block currently used as a games room/gym/hobby space/storage, and another by the house has multiple sections - one storage, two set up as extra bedrooms (these have been handy when extended family stay).

Area Cople is a small, peaceful village surrounded by scenic countryside. While rural, it has essentials such as a primary school, a pub, and a popular sports and social club run by the community.

This is a village hub, hosting sports teams, family activities, and offering that all-important social aspect.

Neighbouring Willington and Cardington have further amenities, including farm shops, cafés and a Frosts. Cople is well-connected, excellent for commuters.

Bedford station is just a 10-minute drive away, with services into London St Pancras in as little as 40 minutes. By car, you can reach Cambridge in 45 minutes and Milton Keynes in 30.

Bedford is also home to the highly regarded Harpur Trust schools. For family fun locally, Shuttleworth, Herrings Green Activity Farm and Chicksands Bike Park are all within a short drive.

For a more restful day out, golf courses are nearby, and Y Spa in Wyboston is 15 minutes away.