Rural feel for hidden cottage

A picturesque three-bedroom cottage on four acres of land at Mountlusk near Rathdrum, in Co Wicklow, is expected to fetch well in excess of £285,000 when it is auctioned next month by Ganly Walters.

This is an exceptionally private property, hidden away at the end of a long, grassy lane with a meadow in front of the house, a tennis court, and a stream running through the property towards the Vartry river. It would suit a family seeking a rather special weekend cottage, or it would make a comfortable permanent home with potential to extend. Those who work from home will be struck by the possibilities offered by two outhouses - a large barn that has been re-roofed, floored and heated, and a smaller garage. Together these buildings could be converted to office or studio space.

The entrance to the property is from a quiet road off the main Glenealy-Rathdrum road. A long driveway leads up to the house, then curves around to arrive at the back door, where there is parking for several cars. It is nicer to walk around the house and enter at the front, up a flight of stone steps to the front door. Wisteria clambers around the front of the house.

It's a typical farmhouse with three windows overhead, and two on the either side of the front doors. The front porch leads directly into a dining room, with an old Stanley range fitted into an archway. Steps lead up to the working kitchen, which has solid pine units and a granite effect worktop. There are two reception rooms on either side of the dining room and one of these is often used as a spare bedroom.

Off the kitchen to one side is a small lobby leading to the bathroom and a separate lavatory. Off to the other side is a utility room with a full range of units and a hot press.

Unusually, steps lead directly up from the kitchen to the upper floor.

Upstairs, there are three double bedrooms, all pretty, cottage-style rooms with slanting ceilings of white painted timber. Each room is carpeted and all have fitted wardrobes.

The cottage is in apple pie order - another factor that will impress those who want to move straight in without renovating. The grounds are well kept and include a large area of lawn in front of the house with a fenced-in tennis court over to one side. It's a child's paradise with the big barn to explore and a path leading down through wild flowers and nettles to a fast-running stream. You have to cross the stream to get to one of the most delightful features of the property - a sturdy tree house built into an oak tree with a staircase leading up to it. The sale is being handled by Robert Ganly and the auction date is set for June 22nd.