Tolleshunt Major

About this property

A Remarkable Small Country Estate Comprising Two Large Detached Homes, Extensive Leisure, Lifestyle & Equestrian Facilities set in 8.25 Acres

History & Background

A remarkable small country estate comprising the main seven-bedroom Grade II listed farmhouse which dates back in part to the 18^th Century with later additions over the preceding centuries. The Essex Barn gained planning permission to be converted in to residential in 2006, ancillary to the main house and offering further extensive living spaces. Both properties offer a total of 5518 sq ft accommodation with up to 10 bedrooms and the barn has further permission for holiday let accommodation, if required. The barn is believed to date earlier than the farmhouse which is evident in its magnificent, exposed timber frame with exposed red brick and stunning features including a great room, a vast room with high vaulted ceilings.

The properties are well spaced apart with extensive driveways and parking leading to the various barns and storage/garage spaces. A further feature is the original thatched granary set in landscaped lawns with the remaining land to the south forming paddocks and grazing. There are two stable blocks, each comprising two large boxes and storage, alongside an all-weather manege.

To complete the leisure facilities are an ETC resurfaced Floodlit Tennis Court and separately an enclosed swimming pool complex with a heated pool and a summerhouse containing the sauna and hot tub. Two natural duck ponds set the scene and further provide tranquil seating areas.

Previous planning permission was achieved for remodelling one wing of the house to create a larger kitchen, if needed and further, for the outdoor pool to be covered. Please ensure to see agents notes for these and other important details.

Setting & Location

Located in a tranquil, rural position with three neighbouring properties affording a right of access along the initial private road and beyond is the access to the farm which is nestled with its own long private drive up to the formal entry gate and into the premises. The house is set well back within its private acreage with driveways branching either side of the pond. The formal entrance to the house is on the far southwest facing side where there is gravelled parking. The secondary drive leads through to the garaging area and rear entrance where there is also parking.

The mature grounds are beautifully kept and at night floodlights enhance the beautiful tree by the pond and the barn conversion.

The property is located off Church Road which is a tranquil country lane from Maldon Road, lying equidistance between Goldhanger and Tolleshunt Major, approximately 5 miles from the historic maritime town of Maldon. The nearest mainline rail stations for London Liverpool Street are from Kelvedon or Witham (8.4miles and 9 miles respectively). The Cities of Colchester and Chelmsford are 12miles and 16 miles respectively.

MAIN HOUSE 3650 sq ft

The interior of the main house provides comfortable living with generous rooms and high ceilings, combined with areas of the house, believed to date far earlier, which display some of the original exposed timber frame. The character and styles naturally blend, complemented with its external Georgian façade as you approach the house. The reception hall with wooden flooring and a Florence Nightingale Log burner has the first of two staircases to the first floor. There is also access to the cloakroom/w.c. The formal dining room is extensive, seating up to 20 people on special occasions with bay seating and a feature fireplace. The sitting room also enjoys a log burner and there is also a separate games room with a drinks room. The morning room faces east with French doors and adjacent is the kitchen/breakfast room with an AGA oven. From the kitchen are the rear service rooms, including a pantry, and a back door to the covered veranda. Plans were made for this wing to mirror the south wing, which could create a far larger kitchen, if required (stp & Lbc). Upstairs are seven to eight bedrooms. One room is used as a study and all bar one are generous double bedrooms, three with sinks. The principle bedroom enjoys and en-suite bathroom and there is also a family shower room and separate bathroom with a period style ball & claw tub.

ANCILLARY BARN CONVERSION 1868 sq ft

The barn gained planning in 2006 to be converted into ancillary accommodation and in 2010 further permission was granted for the barn to be used as holiday let accommodation. The most attractive hallway features high ceiling and a combination of both exposed brick work and much of its exposed timber frame. Walk in to The Great Room, a stunning main room with high vaulted ceilings with a vast Limestone open fire and wooden flooring which is split level. The upper stage was formerly believed to be enjoyed for local plays, quite believable given the size and proportions. There is also a kitchen/breakfast room of modest size and an internal hall leads to two double ground floor bedrooms, one with an en-suite and there is also a separate bath/shower room featuring a traditional ball & claw tub. Stairs leads to a further double bedroom with an en-suite. From here there is an opening about 1 meter high that leads to a generous snug/play room.

Grounds

The mature part walled grounds offer wonderful features, alongside leisure & lifestyle facilities including equestrian facilities. The main features include:-

• Outdoor heated swimming pool, tiled with a Roman end and deeper end for diving. The pool complex is enclosed for child safety (as are the two ponds) with plenty of space for alfresco dining and loungers alongside the summerhouse which contains a sauna and hot tub with changing facilities. The pool is heated via oil.
• Floodlit Tennis Court. Resurfaced by specialists ETC with high chain link fencing, a basketball net and traditional tennis net for matches.
• Equestrian facilities include an all-weather manege. There are two separate stable blocks, each containing two full size stables with storage and one with a tack room. The grazing is separate from the attractive estate fencing, lying on the south side. There is a water to supply to each of the stable blocks and fields.
• There are several garages/stores. One contains a workshop and the pool house/pump room. A single garage serves as the plant/machinery store and there is a larger cart lodge and separate barn containing a single garage, cart lodge and a room which is used as a gym.
• The two ponds are fence enclosed. The larger pond is at the front providing an aesthetically pleasing approach with its mature floodlit tree, bull rushes and resident goose and ducks. The other pond features water lilies with surrounding Silver Birches.
• The part walled lawns include a play area with tree houses and there is also an attractive part walled front lawn. There is an orchard and separately a kitchen garden with a greenhouse and soft fruits. Lastly there is a quaint thatched granary which would have once been the grain store to the barn. The grounds are largely surrounded by farmland owned by Beckingham Hall.

Agents Notes

• The sale forms part of the title number EX520292. Approximately 8.2 acres plus ownership and maintenance of the concrete entrance road.
• Listed Building Entry Number with Historic England 1121883
• The barn has modern drainage and the house a septic tank. When setting the guide price consideration was given to the fact that the buyer will need to upgrade the private drainage to the main house to meet regulations.
• In 2019 a large Oak Tree caused some damage to the dining room. The tree was removed, and an engineer conducted satisfactory works to remedy. This is documented accordingly with works being carried out by Bakers of Danbury which was solely internal and exterior decoration.
• The planning permission for the barn to be converted to residential carries a section 106 prohibiting the barn to ever be sold off separately and to remain ancillary to the main house. Planning for holiday let uses was also granted in 2010
• In 1998 Planning Permission was granted for the demolition of the existing 2 storey building with a replacement including pitch roof (Ref 98/00482).  Also in 1998, Planning Permission was granted for erection of single storey building over swimming pool (making an indoor pool complex under Ref 98/00928).  Both these planning approvals are now lapsed but they appear on MDC website under Rockleys Farm back in 1998. 
• Our client has completed a property questionnaire to provide additional information for buyers considering making an offer to purchase. Please note the price s for ‘offers in excess of’ the guide.   Our client is happy to sell any required furniture and chattels.

Services

Oil fired heating.  Private Drainage. Mains Water. Mains Electricity. FULL FIBRE BROADBAND.  

EPC rating: Exempt. Council tax band: H, Tenure: Freehold,

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