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Rook End Lane, Debden, Nr Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 - Image 1
Rook End Lane, Debden, Nr Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 - Image 2
Rook End Lane, Debden, Nr Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 - Image 3

Rook End Lane, Debden, Nr Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11

East of England

£950,000

Listed on 17/09/2026

The listing

Property details

Bedrooms
5
Type
Detached
Area
2550 sqft

Features

  • Garage
  • Garden
  • Parking

Description

This five-bedroom detached Grade II listed thatched cottage occupies a rural plot of about 0.88 acres near Debden. The house extends to approximately 2,550 sq ft, with a separate outbuilding complex of around 780 sq ft. The accommodation combines older rooms with exposed beams and fireplaces and a more modern rear section. The ground floor includes a reception hall, sitting room, dining room, office and cloakroom. A rear lounge has a vaulted ceiling and doors to the garden. The kitchen/breakfast room has space for a dining table and includes an integrated dishwasher, with room for a range-style cooker and a large fridge-freezer. A separate utility room provides further storage and appliance space, and a cellar is accessed from a lobby. Upstairs are four bedrooms and a shower room. A further bedroom suite, with its own staircase from the dining room, has an en-suite bathroom. Outside, the gardens include lawns, mature trees, established hedging, a decked seating area and a swimming pool that the particulars say requires restoration. Parking is available for several vehicles. The outbuildings comprise a two-bay cart lodge, single garage, external WC and workshop/office, with a vaulted upper area described as having potential for conversion, subject to planning permission and other necessary consents. Debden has a primary school, pub, restaurant, post office and church. Saffron Walden is about four miles away, with rail services to London and Cambridge available from nearby stations including Newport and Audley End. The M11 and Stansted Airport are also within reach.

WHOTS analysis

Our WHOTS verdict

An internal assessment of the opportunity to acquire, improve and create value.

71out of 100
Grade BGood opportunity

Confidence: MEDIUM

At £950,000, Rook End Cottage is priced below the local average at £373 per sq ft versus £413, making it a strong opportunity to acquire a substantial, characterful home at a relative discount. Its Grade II listed thatched character, period fireplaces and beams sit alongside a bright vaulted rear lounge, while the 0.88-acre setting gives the property a distinctive countryside feel.

The house appears clean and usable, so the improvement scope is light rather than a major renovation: updating traditional finishes to taste and restoring the pool are the clearest projects. The 780 sq ft of outbuildings also offers potential for an annexe or additional accommodation, subject to planning and other consents. The thatched roof’s condition should be checked, as it cannot be assessed from the photos.

Key opportunities

  • Acquire at a below-local-average £/sq ft while retaining the home’s exposed beams, fireplaces and other period character.
  • Restore the outdoor pool as a feature within the established gardens and 0.88-acre setting.
  • Explore the 780 sq ft of outbuildings for annexe or additional accommodation potential, subject to planning and other consents.

Key risks

  • The condition and ongoing maintenance requirements of the thatched roof need specialist assessment.
  • The pool’s restoration scope should be established before committing to the project.

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Map

Location

Rook End Lane, Debden, Nr Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11
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Transport

Nearest stations

  • Newport (Essex) Rail Station

    2.1 miles

    Train · Newport

  • Audley End Rail Station

    3.4 miles

    Train · Audley End

  • Elsenham Rail Station

    3.5 miles

    Train · Elsenham

  • Stansted Mountfitchet Rail Station

    5.3 miles

    Train · Stansted Mountfitchet

Contains public sector information from NaPTAN (DfT) licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Finance

Mortgage calculator

Illustrative repayments based on the asking price, not a mortgage offer.

£
£
£
%
%
years

Current average 2-year fixed rate is 5.13%

Current average variable rate is 6.58%

Monthly Repayments
£3,882
Based on a loan of £712,500 over 30 years at 5.13% interest

These results are estimates and are only intended as a guide. Make sure you obtain accurate figures from your lender before committing to any mortgage. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage.

Tax

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