Heydon Road, Great Chishill, Royston, SG8

OPEN HOUSE Saturday 21st February 2026

Occupying a truly remarkable position at the highest point in Cambridgeshire, where the counties of Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire all meet, this imaginative and substantial conversion sits in the heart of the highly regarded village of Great Chishill. The village itself is home to around 500 residents and offers a rare balance of rural tranquillity and excellent connectivity.

The property is well placed for Cambridge, the mainline railway stations at Royston and Audley End (both approximately 6 miles away, offering fast services to London), and the East Cambridge biomedical parks. Schooling is well catered for across all three counties, with primary schools locally and secondary education available in Cambridge, Saffron Walden, Letchworth and Bishop’s Stortford. The M11 (Junction 10 at Duxford) lies around 6 miles to the north, and outside peak hours commuting times to Canary Wharf or Greenwich are just over an hour.

Originally three adjacent 19th-century farm buildings, the property was thoughtfully and creatively converted in the early 1980s, with the stable block beside the entrance and parking area rebuilt during the 1990s. Although positioned beside the village road, the house is accessed via a discreet, private garden, and the entire site enjoys a high degree of privacy. The house is not overlooked and boasts far-reaching views across open chalk farmland, extending up to 15 miles from the upper levels.

The conversion makes exceptional use of the generous proportions of the original agricultural buildings, celebrating space, light and character. Large windows frame views over the garden and surrounding countryside, while exposed studs, rafters and beams have been retained throughout, preserving the integrity and charm of the original structures.

At the heart of the home is an impressive open-plan kitchen and living area, divided by elegant elm studs and enhanced by a striking vaulted ceiling. Extensive glazing and Velux roof lights flood the space with natural light and create a seamless connection with the garden. The sitting room is equally atmospheric, centred around a substantial brick-built fireplace with wood-burning stove and a dramatic stainless-steel flue rising to the ceiling. A short staircase leads to a mezzanine level overlooking the living space, ideal as a study, reading area or television snug. Beneath the mezzanine lies a guest bedroom with its own en suite shower room.

The ground floor also provides a generous entrance hall with a large cloakroom and extensive built-in storage, along with a well-equipped utility room offering further storage, an oil-fired central heating boiler, hot water tank and a heat-leak radiator, creating an ideal warm space for drying clothes.

An open staircase rises to a spacious principal bedroom featuring large windows and built-in wardrobes, positioned adjacent to a well-appointed family bathroom with heated airing cupboards. Above this, the upper floor houses an additional large bedroom, currently used as a study, enjoying spectacular views sweeping from south-west through to north-west.

Further along the house, a second staircase leads to two additional first-floor bedrooms, both generously proportioned and served by a shower room with wash basin and WC, together with an airing cupboard at the foot of the stairs. This arrangement offers excellent flexibility for family living or visiting guests.

Outside, the garden is beautifully arranged with mature trees, hedging, established borders and a series of generous patios and terraces leading to a gently sloping lawn. The space is both expansive and manageable, ideal for children, entertaining and keen gardeners alike, while remaining relatively low maintenance. Planting and mature trees frame uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape, creating a seamless connection between garden and countryside. The original farm implement shed has been converted into a versatile games room, hobby space or store, while a gravel driveway provides ample parking and access to a double garage.

Seller Insight
Situated in the heart of Great Chishill, just moments from the village church and pub, this substantial open-plan conversion provides an adaptable and welcoming family home. Originally part of Rectory Farm, the property was purchased by the current owners in 1981 and converted from agricultural use into a private residence.

“We worked with architects and builders for two years and moved in during May 1983, the day before our younger child’s third birthday. The conversion was carried out to a very high standard, giving us a modern home with wonderful original features.”

“The main part of the house is largely single-storey, with high ceilings and exposed beams, including a very spacious family and dining room that flows into an equally generous living room with a wood burner. A wooden staircase overlooking the living room leads to a snug area which works well as a TV room or study.”

Two bedrooms are located within the three-storey central wing, one with an en suite bathroom, both enjoying exceptional space and far-reaching views across open fields. Two further bedrooms are positioned above the garage at the far end of the house.

“This area is accessed by a separate staircase and is ideal for visiting family or guests, as it feels completely separate from the main part of the house.”

A fifth bedroom with en suite shower room is located beyond the living room and provides excellent guest accommodation.

“With the house facing away from the road and all the main windows positioned at the rear, it is extremely private both inside and out.”

“Outside, the garden includes patios, a lawn and mature borders, as well as the former implement shed, now used as a workshop, games room and storage space. The sunsets from the central wing bedrooms are truly magnificent.”

“The house has proved incredibly versatile over the years as our family’s needs changed. It’s ideal for entertaining, whether hosting dinner parties in the open-plan kitchen and dining space or summer gatherings in the garden.”

Village Information
Great Chishill is a charming English parish village located at the south-eastern tip of Cambridgeshire, nestled between the Hertfordshire village of Barley and the Essex village of Chrishall. It lies approximately 5 miles east of the market town of Royston, 9 miles from the historic town of Saffron Walden, and around 15 miles from Cambridge.

The village features many attractive period homes and a striking windmill dating back to 1592, maintained by dedicated local volunteers. The Pheasant public house is at the heart of village life, known for its welcoming atmosphere, traditional food, excellent wines and ales, and popular summer garden. Recreational activities include cricket, football (with children’s teams), cycling, bridge, indoor bowls and bell ringing at the beautiful Church of St Swithun.

Mainline rail services are available from nearby Royston and Audley End, providing fast connections to London King’s Cross and Liverpool Street. The neighbouring village of Barley, just 2 miles away, offers a well-stocked village shop and a medical surgery with pharmacy. Royston and Saffron Walden provide a comprehensive range of shops, supermarkets, leisure centres, swimming pools, sports clubs, medical facilities and highly regarded schools.

The A1(M) and M11 are both within a 15-minute drive via the A10 and A505, while London Stansted and Luton Airports are each approximately 30 minutes away.

Agents Notes
Tenure: Freehold
Year Built: Converted in 1983
EPC: D
Local Authority: South Cambridgeshire
Council Tax Band: G

Important information for potential purchasers
We endeavour to make our particulars accurate and reliable, however, they do not constitute or form part of an offer or any contract and none is to be relied upon as statements of representation or fact. The services, systems and appliances listed in this specification have not been tested by us and no guarantee as to their operating ability or efficiency is given. All photographs and measurements have been taken as a guide only and are not precise. Floor plans where included are not to scale and accuracy is not guaranteed. If you require clarification or further information on any points, please contact us, especially if you are travelling some distance to view. Fixtures and fittings other than those mentioned are to be agreed with the seller.

Buyers information

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