What is it about thatched cottages that make them so appealing?
Believed to date from 700 AD (although the exact origins are hard to know), thatched cottages have been part of the property landscape across the UK for centuries. What we do know is that the materials used to create these iconic and much-loved properties could include anything from 'straw to water reed to heather — even rushes, too.'
Today, the charming 'chocolate box' style properties are scattered throughout towns and villages, including this one — Michaelmas Cottage — which is currently on the market via Strutt & Parker at a guide price of £725,000.
The property is framed by the beautiful, green landscaped gardens and has a wealth of period features throughout, including two Inglenook fireplaces, exposed timber beams and oak latch doors.
In total, the accommodation amounts to 1,900 sq ft, and offers plenty of flexibility within its design. From the entrance hall, the sitting room and kitchen/breakfast can be accessed — both with Inglenook fireplaces (plus the addition of a bread oven in the sitting room), exposed timber beams and dual aspect windows.
The well-sized kitchen leads off into a reception room, which in turn leads into the dining room. The natural flow throughout the ground floor accommodation is only emphasised further by two separate staircases in the reception room that lead upstairs.
The upstairs accommodation is currently set out as three bedrooms and a study, but could easily convert to four bedrooms should it be required. The period charms continue here, too, with exposed beams and views out over the garden.
Outside is a detached garage with a studio/workshop on the top floor. Surrounding this is the luscious country garden that helps frame the house, with a mixture of mature trees, flower beds and lawn.
This is quintessential countryside living in a picture-perfect cottage.
Michaelmas Cottage is currently for sale via Strutt & Parker at a guide price of £725,000 — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.
West Wickham: What you need to know
Location: South Cambridge — located approximately 14 miles from Cambridge, just over 10 miles from Saffron Walden and approximately 6 miles from Haverhill. There are rail services from Audley End station which provide fast train links into Liverpool Street, London.
Atmosphere: The village has an active and vibrant community that benefits from fantastic local amenities at both Haverhill and the market town of Saffron Walden, which has a large range of independent shops, restaurants and a popular weekly market.
Things to do: The historic university town of Cambridge offers plenty in the way of culture, punting along the river, art galleries and theatre, whilst nearby Saffron Walden has a weekly market and plenty of independent shops, restaurants and for the eco-conscious — there is the zero waste 'The Refill Barn' which supplies food and household refillable's to the surrounding areas via an old VW van, which is well worth a visit.
Schools: Daisy Chains Pre-School is located in the West Wickham village hall, whilst the surrounding area has a number of fantastic schools, including Linton Village School, Dame Bradbury's School and secondary schools The Perse School Cambridge and The Leys School Cambridge.
See more property for sale in the area.
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
-
What the hedge can tell us about the countryside, with Richard NegusThe hedge is much more than just a barrier between one field and the next. Richard Negus joins the Country Life Podcast to discuss his work, his latest book and how he's being tapped up to switch cricket clubs.
-
Country Life August 20 2025Country Life August 20 2025 is the Scottish Issue, featuring glorious Glamis Castle, 47 pages of the best Scottish property for sale, John Buchan, and the Glasgow Boys
-
A 17th century farmhouse in Surrey with one of Britain's oldest squash courtsFords Farm is on the market for the first time in over half a century.
-
The 15 best-value commuter towns for people working in London, according to new research from one of Britain's top estate agentsSavills have released their list of the best-value commuter towns in Britain. But do the sums add up? Toby Keel takes a look.
-
What everyone is talking about this week: Where are the new Cotswolds?The appearance of American Vice President J. D. Vance in the Cotswolds is a sure sign that they're saturated, but where else can you escape to that has the same charm?
-
19 outstanding country homes, from £450,000 to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeA spectacular country house in Yorkshire and an enormously impressive Channel Islands retreat are among the stand-out homes on the market this week.
-
Three homes down by the Thames, perfect for those who love messing about on boatsThis summer’s scorching temperatures will no doubt have endorsed the perennial appeal of Thames-side houses with frontage and private access to the river. Penny Churchill and Toby Keel pick out some prime examples.
-
A pavilion, pool and pleasure gardens at this Devon country house 'with not another building in sight'Ebberly House is a majestic country house in Devon built by one of John Soane's pupils — and as it comes to the market, it's a place Penny Churchill knows well.
-
Take over the world or throw a great big party on this private fort for sale in PembrokeThorne Island, dubbed the British Alcatraz, has been a £2 million labour of love. Now it could be yours.
-
The perfect summer house? A country home, beach house and rural escape rolled into one in a prime spot in SussexIf there's a finer house than Grangewood House in which to enjoy the summer, we'd love to see it. Penny Churchill takes a look.
