http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/fairy-t ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;It's not often that an experienced estate agent is reduced to describing a property in the sort of terms usually associated with fairy tales. But then, it is only very, very rarely that a property comes onto the market that is so remarkable that their usual everyday lingo cannot possibly do it justice. Willow Cottage, which agent Zoe Napier describes as being like "stepping back in time into a scene from Enid Blyton's The Enchanted Wood, is that place.
Dating originally from around 1660, with later additions, Grade II-listed Willow Cottage is quite literally a hidden gem – an almost impossibly pretty timber-framed cottage standing in the most exquisite cottage gardens, tucked away amid some 120 acres of ancient protected forest and common land called Curtis Mill Green, between Navestock and Stapleford Abbotts. Small wonder, then, that it has been used as a location for a number of films and TV commercials.
Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
- pete9012S
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Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
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- Julie2owlsdene
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Re: Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
Enchantment Wood sort, yes, certainly Pete. Not my cup of tea though! All those uneven beams and roof!
Julian gave an exclamation and nudged George.
"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
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"See that? It's the black Bentley again. KMF 102!"
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- Daisy
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Re: Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
Not that you would knock your head on a beam Julie! It might be a bit of a hazard for Stephen though..
It looks lovely .... but I wouldn't like to have to see to all that garden.
It looks lovely .... but I wouldn't like to have to see to all that garden.
'Tis loving and giving that makes life worth living.
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Re: Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
I think it's a beautiful house and setting, but I wouldn't want the responsibility of such a stunning place.
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- pete9012S
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Re: Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
I think if someone like Enid lived there she would love the seclusion and peace and quiet.
She would also likely have a team of people to take care of all the upkeep inc. cooking,gardening,cleaning and so on!
She would also likely have a team of people to take care of all the upkeep inc. cooking,gardening,cleaning and so on!
" A kind heart always brings its own reward," said Mrs. Lee.
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Re: Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
That's the thing with a house like that, it's not just the initial outlay for the property, it's the upkeep too.
I hope whoever buys it next will share it like the previous owners.
I hope whoever buys it next will share it like the previous owners.
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- Courtenay
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Re: Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
It does look gorgeous! But yes, these heritage-listed places wouldn't be easy to live in and cost a fortune for the ongoing maintenance. I hope it goes to someone who loves it just as much as the current owners.
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
- Deej92
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Re: Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
Enid would have loved that house, Pete! We wrote a story yesterday about a former station house in Harlech which comes with a ticket office and waiting room and even has a train line which runs right past the garden of the property.
The house definitely needs some work doing to it but it's for sale and I could just imagine Enid living here or a Blyton book set here, similar to Five Go Off to Camp. There should be a video you can click on to view the house. http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-w ... n-11712929" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The house definitely needs some work doing to it but it's for sale and I could just imagine Enid living here or a Blyton book set here, similar to Five Go Off to Camp. There should be a video you can click on to view the house. http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-w ... n-11712929" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- IceMaiden
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Re: Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
What a gorgeous house that is, it looks like the cottage from Snow White! I would love to live there, it'd be like being hidden away in your own secret private little part of the world, no neighbours to worry about and nobody else to disturb you for miles, which to me would be absolute heaven. As for the one near Harlech, I'd love that one too, it's about 12 -14 miles from me. There are some wonderfully Enid Blyton/ Beatrix Potter esque houses around here.
- Deej92
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Re: Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
Yes, there are some wonderful houses. Harlech is a lovely town with the castle and the beach. North Wales really is a perfect location for Enid Blyton. I live in North Wales myself, although a fair way from Harlech in Conwy, but I did live in Caernarfon up until the end of last yearIceMaiden wrote: As for the one near Harlech, I'd love that one too, it's about 12 -14 miles from me. There are some wonderfully Enid Blyton/ Beatrix Potter esque houses around here.
- Rob Houghton
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Re: Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
I just came across this island and house for sale in Worcestershire - £190,000
https://www.facebook.com/midlandstoday/ ... 338024761/
https://www.facebook.com/midlandstoday/ ... 338024761/
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
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hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
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- Courtenay
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Re: Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
Another one we could band together to buy and have as our own EBS clubroom? No, seriously, I reckon we could all chip in with a percentage of the asking price. I can afford to put up... er... £19.
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
- Rob Houghton
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Re: Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
It's certainly a good price for a house and an island! Not so sure about the lack of electricity or gas though! How would I get on line?
'Oh voice of Spring of Youth
hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
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hearts mad delight,
Sing on, sing on, and when the sun is gone
I'll warm me with your echoes
through the night.'
(E. Blyton, Sunday Times, 1951)
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- Anita Bensoussane
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Re: Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
It looks beautiful, though I wonder if it ever gets flooded.
"Heyho for a starry night and a heathery bed!" - Jack, The Secret Island.
"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
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"There is no bond like the bond of having read and liked the same books."
- E. Nesbit, The Wonderful Garden.
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- Courtenay
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Re: Would Enid have enjoyed this house?
If it does, we can rebuild it as a Queenslander house. (On stilts, that is, for those who didn't know.)
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It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)
It was a nuisance. An adventure was one thing - but an adventure without anything to eat was quite another thing. That wouldn't do at all. (The Valley of Adventure)