Gurneys Lane, Holwell, SG5
- Land size
- 2.75 acres
- Bedrooms
- 5
- Bathrooms
- 3
Key Features
- Magnificent Grade II listed farmhouse
- Dating back to circa 1640
- Approx. 5,901 sq. ft. of accommodation
- Set within 2.75 acres of glorious grounds
- Bespoke kitchen & elegant reception rooms
- Beautifully preserved period features
- Far-reaching countryside views
- One of Holwell's finest period homes
- Indoor heated swimming pool
- Detached garage with studio above
Description
Believed to date from circa 1640, Church Farm is an extraordinary Grade II listed residence, representing one of Holwell's most distinguished period homes. Occupying approximately 2.75 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the property offers an outstanding blend of architectural heritage, refined family living and exceptional leisure facilities, extending to approximately 5,901 sq. ft. in total.
Approached via a sweeping gravel carriage driveway, the house immediately impresses with its handsome elevations, mellow brick and timber-framed construction, and beautifully preserved clay tiled roof. Having evolved over more than five centuries, Church Farm retains a remarkable wealth of original craftsmanship, including exposed structural timbers, impressive fireplaces and elegant proportions, all thoughtfully complemented by sympathetic modern enhancements.
The welcoming entrance hall provides an inviting introduction before unfolding into a series of beautifully balanced reception rooms. The magnificent 31ft living room forms the heart of the home. A wonderfully proportioned space centred around a striking period fireplace, where exposed beams and an abundance of natural light create a warm yet elegant atmosphere.
The formal dining/family room provides a superb setting for entertaining and flows effortlessly into the bespoke kitchen and breakfast room. Designed with modern family life in mind, the kitchen features an extensive range of handcrafted cabinetry and integrated appliances, generous preparation space and ample room for informal dining, all while enjoying delightful views across the gardens. Beyond lies a practical utility room and a separate study, perfectly suited to home working. Completing the ground floor is a cloakroom/WC and a beautiful orangery, providing a tranquil place from which to enjoy the surrounding gardens throughout the changing seasons.
The first floor continues to impress, offering five generously proportioned bedrooms, each rich in individual character. The principal suite enjoys fitted wardrobes, dual-aspect views and a luxurious en-suite bathroom, whilst the remaining bedrooms are served by two beautifully appointed shower rooms and a further en-suite bathroom, creating versatile accommodation for both family life and visiting guests.
Beneath the house, an extensive cellar provides excellent storage together with exciting potential for further use, subject to the necessary consents.
Outside, the grounds are every bit as captivating as the house itself. Sweeping lawns are interspersed with mature specimen trees, established hedging and beautifully stocked planting, creating an exceptional sense of privacy and tranquillity. A substantial wildlife pond, together with a variety of terraces and seating areas, provides wonderful places from which to enjoy the uninterrupted views across the surrounding Hertfordshire countryside.
A particular highlight is the detached pool house, centred around a magnificent 40ft heated indoor swimming pool, providing an exceptional year-round leisure facility. Whilst the pool is operational, prospective purchasers should note that it would benefit from routine servicing together with the replacement of the pool lining.
Complementing the principal residence is an impressive detached garage complex extending to almost 900 sq. ft., providing garaging for several vehicles together with a substantial first-floor studio offering exceptional versatility as a home office, gymnasium, creative studio or ancillary accommodation, subject to the necessary consents. In addition, the extensive shingled driveway provides generous off-road parking for numerous vehicles.
Church Farm represents a genuinely rare opportunity to acquire a residence of exceptional architectural significance. Beautifully preserved and sympathetically enhanced, it effortlessly combines over five centuries of history with the space, comfort and lifestyle expected of a distinguished country home, all within one of North Hertfordshire's most picturesque rural settings.
Holwell is a charming village on the fringes of Hitchin, in Hertfordshire, surrounded by picturesque countryside. It offers a serene lifestyle with convenient access to urban amenities in Hitchin. The village boasts scenic beauty, rolling hills, and lush landscapes. It provides a peaceful retreat with a close-knit community, local amenities, and recreational spaces. Residents can enjoy countryside walks and outdoor activities making it an ideal choice for those seeking a peaceful village lifestyle without sacrificing modern conveniences.
Buyers Information:
In compliance with the UK's Anti Money Laundering (AML) regulations, we are required to confirm the identity of all prospective buyers at the point of an offer being accepted and use a third party, Identity Verification System to do so. There is a nominal charge of £48 (per person) including VAT for this service. For more information, please refer to the terms and conditions section of our website.
Map Location
Property details
- Tenure
- Freehold
- Council Tax Band
- G
- Date Posted
- 2026-08-05
Market Value Analysis
Compared with 1,142 Homes with Land listings in East Anglia (1+ acres).
Utilities & Restrictions
Utilities
- Electricity
- Mains
- Water
- Mains
- Heating
- Gas Central Heating
- Broadband
- Fibre (FTTC)
- Sewerage
- Septic Tank / Private
Rights & Restrictions
- Public Rights of Way
- Ask Agent
- Private Rights of Way
- Ask Agent
- Listed Property
- Ask Agent
- Restrictions
- Ask Agent
Listed status, conservation areas and planning constraints for this location are in the full report.
Property Features
- Accessibility
- Ask Agent
- Parking
- Garage, Driveway, Gated Parking
- Garden
- Private Garden
Beyond the particulars: planning activity, flood history, heritage and ground risks, checked for this exact spot.
Connectivity
Broadband
Fastest speed available at this postcode
80 Mbps
Superfast
Suitable for
- HD streaming
- Video calls
- Web & social
Mobile signal
Predicted 4G and 5G signal; indoor signal depends on building materials.
Ofcom Connected Nations postcode-level predictions. Speeds and signal are modelled, not measured, and vary between addresses and providers.
Signal is the easy part. Planning activity, flood history and protected designations here are in the full report.
Nearest Schools
Primary
- Stondon Lower School1.2 milesNo Ofsted rating
- Ages
- 5 to 9
- Pupils
- 136
- Type
- Community school
- Ickleford Primary School1.5 milesNo Ofsted rating
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Pupils
- 213
- Type
- Voluntary controlled school
- Faith
- Church of England
- Pirton School1.6 milesOfsted report card · May 2026
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Pupils
- 136
- Type
- Community school
- Derwent Primary School1.7 milesNo Ofsted rating
- Ages
- 3 to 11
- Pupils
- 419
- Type
- Foundation school
- Our Lady Catholic Primary School1.9 milesOfsted: Good
- Ages
- 5 to 11
- Pupils
- 173
- Type
- Academy converter
- Faith
- Roman Catholic
Secondary
- The Priory School1.9 milesNo Ofsted rating
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Pupils
- 1,221
- Type
- Foundation school
- Fearnhill School2.5 milesOfsted report card · Apr 2026
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Pupils
- 597
- Type
- Foundation school
- Hitchin Boys' School2.7 milesOfsted report card · Nov 2025
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Pupils
- 1,364
- Type
- Academy converter
- Gender
- Boys
- The Highfield School2.9 milesOfsted: Good
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Pupils
- 937
- Type
- Academy converter
- Hitchin Girls' School3.1 milesOfsted: Outstanding *
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Pupils
- 1,357
- Type
- Academy converter
- Gender
- Girls
* Latest graded judgement covers quality of education only; no overall grade was issued under the 2024-25 inspection framework.
Distances are straight-line from the advertised location. Source: the national school registers (DfE, Welsh Government, Scottish Government) and Ofsted.
Schools are just the start: sold prices nearby, planning activity and any flood history are in the full report.
Amenities
Supermarket
GP surgery
Pharmacy
Hospital
Green space
Straight-line distances from the advertised location. Sources: NHS records, Geolytix supermarket locations, OS Open Greenspace and the national trails registers.
The area stacks up? Now check the location itself: planning nearby, protected designations and past flooding.
Getting Around
Nearest station
Nearest bus stop
Typical drive times
Straight-line distances from the advertised location; drive times are typical free-flow times over OpenStreetMap road data, so allow more at peak. Public transport locations from DfT NaPTAN.
Easy to reach matters. So do planning activity, flood history and ground risks: all in the full report.
Flood Risk
Environment Agency open data, checked around the advertised map pin for the listed acreage. Long-term risk counts flood defences; the planning map's flood zones do not. The map pin for this listing marks the postcode area rather than the exact location, so these readings describe the surrounding area. Provided by LandSale, not the listing agent, and not part of the agent's particulars. Risk varies across a holding, so verify before committing.
Rivers and the sea
Planning map: Flood Zone 1.
Surface water
Not at the pin: mapped about 40 metres away.
These bandings are the summary. Where this location sits on the flood maps, plus planning activity, heritage and ground risks, is in the full report.
Important notice: Information, maps and tags on this page are drawn from the advertising agent's marketing materials or generated automatically. LandSale has not verified them. Relying on these details is at your own risk, always carry out independent checks before committing to a purchase.
LandSale full disclaimer
Marketing information only - not formal particulars. The details on this website are provided for general guidance and do not constitute an offer or contract. Neither LandSale nor the advertising estate/land agent accepts responsibility for any inaccuracy.
1. Source of information
- Listing content: Core description, asking price, tenure, measurements, photographs and planning history originate from the marketing materials of the advertising estate or land agent. LandSale does not author this content and cannot guarantee its accuracy.
- Automated tags & categorisation: Property type, land-use class, acreage bands and similar labels may be applied by machine-learning models. They are intended as a helpful guide only and may not reflect the property's legal status or permitted use.
- Third-party & enriched data layers: Maps, boundary outlines, planning designations, soil reports, broadband coverage and other environmental or location-based insights are licensed from external suppliers. Such data are supplied “as is", may be incomplete or out of date and are subject to change without notice.
2. Verification required
Prospective purchasers must verify critical matters, including but not limited to planning permission, title boundaries, public rights of way, environmental constraints, acreage, services, access and VAT status, through their own inspections, specialist surveys, legal advisers and the selling agent before relying on the information or entering into any contract.
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4. Updates & feedback
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© LandSale | Version 1.3 - August 2026
Listing agent
Ashtons, Hitchin
32 Bridge Street, Hitchin, SG5 2DF









