Peaceful seclusion with spectacular Essex countryside and coast a step away
St Peter's Cottage is a newly built three-bedroom home in an outstanding countryside location. It is situated in its own half-acre (2,000 m2) garden surrounded by open fields with views across the Blackwater River valley in every direction. The house is located next to the ancient monument of St Peter's Church, dating from the 11th century and now a stained glass artist's studio.
We are delighted to be able to make the cottage available for holidays and long weekends with the opportunity to relish the tranquility of this location and as a base for exploring the outstanding Essex coast and countryside. And with London just 40mins away by train from Witham station (2.5 miles/4km) the capital is in easy reach for sightseeing.
The cottage has an open-plan living space across the whole first floor comprising a generous living room and kitchen dinning area. The space has large picture windows with views over the garden, adjacent church and fields beyond. This is a space that connects with nature and will allow you to enjoy this outstanding setting in any season and in any weather.
On the ground floor there are three good-sized bedrooms and a bathroom/toilet. Each bedroom has its own character and lend themselves to flexible accommodation. The green room has a kingsize double bed; the pink room and blue room can be set up as either twin or double beds.
The cottage has been equipped with new furniture, fittings and appliances throughout, chosen to make every stay trouble free and relaxing.
This is a perfect choice for families who are looking for wide open spaces and a wealth of attractions and places of interest. The garden has a stream running through it which is perfect for paddling but small children must be monitored at all times. There are bicycles available to use, a trampoline and a ping-pong table. There is an outdoor barbecue and we recommend Little Mountain Farm's homegrown meat; the farm can be found in Great Totham.
St Peter's is located close to the Blackwater Estuary which is an area of outstanding natural beauty and with a wealth of watersports activities. Maldon (3miles/5km), is famous for its Thames sailing barges, waterside pubs and historical monuments.
Big name supermarkets can be found in Witham and Maldon and there are also great places to buy local produce. We recommend Jacob's Farm in Haybridge where the vegetables and fruit are homegrown.
The ancient city of Colchester is a 30 minute drive away and the Norman castle, built on the site of the ancient Roman temple houses a fascinating collection tracing the history of the region. Colchester Zoo is another local attraction which is well worth a visit.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses geothermal energy
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Witham
Located in Witham, this holiday home is in a rural area. Museum of Power and Peter Edwards Museum And Library are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Benton Hall Golf and Country Club and Forrester Park Golf Club. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Cressing Road Stadium or Melbourne Stadium. Discover the area's water adventures with windsurfing and sailing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding and hiking/biking trails.
Blackwater Rail Trail Country Park - 10 min drive - 3.3 km
Forrester Park Golf Club - 14 min drive - 6.9 km
Colchester Zoo - 32 min drive - 25.7 km
Hylands House and Park - 39 min drive - 33.6 km
University of Essex - 54 min drive - 54.1 km
Getting around
Wickford Hatfield Peverel Station - 10 min drive
London (SEN-Southend) - 42 min drive
Restaurants
The Duke of Wellington - 4 min drive
Battesford Court - 4 min drive
The Bull at Great Totham and Willow Room - 4 min drive
Thai Cottage Restaurant - 4 min drive
The Swan - 4 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Peaceful seclusion with spectacular Essex countryside and coast a step away pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Peaceful seclusion with spectacular Essex countryside and coast a step away?
As of 18 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Peaceful seclusion with spectacular Essex countryside and coast a step away on 18 July 2026 start from AU$267, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Peaceful seclusion with spectacular Essex countryside and coast a step away?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Peaceful seclusion with spectacular Essex countryside and coast a step away?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Peaceful seclusion with spectacular Essex countryside and coast a step away?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Peaceful seclusion with spectacular Essex countryside and coast a step away located?
Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 3 miles (5 km) of Benton Hall Golf and Country Club, Blackwater Rail Trail Country Park and Museum of Power. Witham Leisure Centre is 2.4 mi (3.8 km) away.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
After 3 weeks of travelling to Paris, london and Manchester, visiting family and site seeing, this little cottage was a god send, as soon as we walked in the door we felt like we were really on holiday. Light and airy, comfy beds all the amenities you need and to top it off it's in the beautiful countryside surrounded by woods and fields, 5 mins drive to witham which has a train station with direct route to london which is only 35mins away.. perfect location for visiting our aunt and perfect to recover from our travels and to prepare us for the journey back to Australia. Would definitely recommend many thanks
Delightful views over some of my favourite Essex countryside, the silver willows of the river in the distance and wheat/barley fields shimmering in the setting summer sun. Bliss. It's very private as it's a quarter mile from anyone but with wide-open views - perfect combination. (The photos are all of the scenery, it was that transfixing.) The bedrooms, bathroom and washing machine/clothes rack/iron are downstairs; upstairs is fully open plan with kitchen/dining at one end (kitchen well-stocked with implements, note the cutlery is in a hidden drawer inside the top drawer) and lounge at the other; big windows afford those fantastic views. It's rare you can be sat on a sofa and watch a bird fly up *to your level* to get to its nest in a tree just outside your window! It's right next to St. Peter's church; have a chat with Ben the stained glass artist if he’s in - there's a poetry book of his in the small upstairs library too. Lovely walks into Wickham Bishops itself, and very close to Witham for groceries and the like. Host is very responsive. It was a very happy week-long stay for our family of 5, thank you for sharing this little piece of heaven!
A thoroughly relaxing and peaceful 10 day stay over Christmas. Beautiful setting and plenty of room for three adults. Indeed it would be fine for 6!
Only hiccup was finding the place when the sign had been blown down! But that was partly our fault for arriving in the dark.
We had a fantastic stay, The place is lovely and has everything we needed. Our 2 children loved the garden as they had the space to run around in and ride the bikes provided.
The views are amazing and we watched the sun go down a few times, We would highly recommend this property and look forward to returning in the future, Thank you
Das Haus war sauber und mit allem ausgestattet was gebraucht wird. Der Garten ist riesig und lädt zum verweilen ein.
Es gibt gute Einkaufsmöglichkeiten in der Nähe.
Die Fahrräder die im Haus sind hätten mal eine Überholung nötig.
Wir hatten einen schönen Aufenthalt.
Recently enjoyed a 5 night stay at this superb property. We wanted a location close to Colchester to explore the area prior to my daughter starting at the University later this year.
The property provided a comfortable base and was close to Maldon and local transport links to make our trips out as easy as possible.
Our favourite part of the house was the large garden which was fantastic. A really tranquil place to relax with a book and a beer in the late evening sun.
The open plan living area offered fantastic views over the surrounding countryside. The kitchen was equipped with all the basics and we were able to cook full meals each evening without any problem. The bottle of wine and milk in the fridge were appreciated on arrival.
We enjoyed a relaxing stress free break and will hopefully return soon once visits to Colchester Uni are required!
Andrew H.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lindsay R.
21 Feb 2019
Lovely property in peaceful location
My team had a great stay here and it was both a peaceful and convenient location for their work touring schools across Essex.
Lindsay R.
Stayed 34 nights in Jan 2019
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Hana K.
9 Sept 2018
Idyllic
Wonderful location surrounded by fields, adjacent to an ancient chapel that is now the studio of renowned stained glass artist, Benjamin Finn. His windows in the chapel are absolutely stunning. The simplicity of the house lets the countryside speak for itself.
It is close to most places of interest in Essex. We think it's ideal. The swing made my daughter very happy. We were too busy to get round to using the table tennis table, but the bikes were fun for the boys.
Bedrooms are downstairs and disabled accessible. We brought my dad who is in a wheelchair, but can walk a little, we just managed to get him up and down the stairs to the living area once a day. We also brought a bath seat to use over the bathtub. Eating outside is an option.
Hana K.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018
About the host
Your host
I was born the same year my parents bought St Peter's Cottage and have been lucky to spend many idyllic weekends and holidays here. Last year I rebuilt the cottage and that project has recently come to an end. I am now able to offer this unique property for rent and I know that you will be captivated by this peaceful rural setting with so many attractions within easy reach.
Why they chose this property
No neighbours, no noise, just the English countryside at its best in any season.
What makes this property unique
Space to play or just relax and just beyond the beautiful Blackwater River valley stretching away in every direction. Take a stroll along the river bank or take to bicycles and head off further afield. A car will greatly enhance your visit, opening up spectacular Essex landscapes, historical villages and towns and a wide range of attractions.