Inspiration of the Week: a Grade II-listed cottage that offers the very best of village life

What do you think of when you see the words ‘British village’? In all likelihood, you picture somewhere with quaint houses, a charming old church, a good pub (or two!) and perhaps a small local shop. And if you do, you might as well be describing Rotherfield, an East Sussex settlement not far from the Ashdown Forest – and the site of this delightful four-bedroom delight, currently on the market.

The cottage itself is picture-book perfect: its exposed beams and timber-framed roof give clues to its age (it’s thought to have been built in the mid-15^th century), while sensitive modern interventions, including the new oak floorboards downstairs, bring things gently up to date. Outside, meanwhile, in the west-facing garden, a trailing wisteria and other cottage favourites lend the place a fairytale air, particularly in spring, when the daffs, bluebells and primroses start to pop up.

If the charm of this house doesn’t sway you, the setting surely will. Located just opposite and with very agreeable views of the 11^th-century St Denys church – something of a local landmark, thanks to its 50m spire – it feels right in the mix of this gorgeous village, which has Saxon roots and has been here since at least the 8^th century. Also nearby are Catts Inn and the brilliant Kings Arms, just two minutes’ away on foot. Those seeking a different sort of fix will be happy to learn that the Courtyard café, housed in a restored Victorian building on the high street, is even closer. Rotherfield Stores is nearer still – perfect for picking up the papers on a lazy Sunday morning.

Don’t be fooled, however, into thinking local life here is in anyway small-town. For other shopping (and schooling) needs, Crowborough is less than a 10-minute drive, while Tunbridge Wells is 20. Even big-city lights are within easy reach; hop on the train at Crowborough and you’ll be at London Bridge in just over an hour.