Harts Lane, Ardleigh, Colchester, Essex, CO7

A charming C16th Grade II four bedroom village house, situated in grounds extending to approx. 1.1 acre with a range of useful outbuildings in a country lane setting on the outskirts of Ardleigh. The house retains a wealth of charm and character and was at one time owned by Garrick the Actor in the 18th Century.

The property

Ground floor

The main entrance door opens to a long panelled reception hall leading front to back with leaded light window at the rear. The sitting room is a well-proportioned room with exposed timbers, large redbrick fireplace with brick and stone hearth and inset stove with open stud work through to dual aspect room which would lend itself to a dining area. There is a small lobby with stairs leading up to the fourth bedroom and a shower room with tiled shower cubicle, pedestal wash hand basin and low level wc.

On the other side of the hallway is the dual aspect dining room with redbrick fireplace whilst adjacent is a snug with exposed timbers leading through to the kitchen/breakfast room. This room is an impressive size with 11' high vaulted ceiling and chimney breast with inset oil fired Aga. There are granite work surfaces with cupboard and draw units under and a range of matching wall mounted cupboards as well as double bowl butler sink and space for further appliances. There is tiled flooring and a door leading to the outside, whilst a further door leads through to the utility room, an impressive sized room housing the Grant oil fired boiler again with wooden work surfaces with cupboards and draws under with inset butler sink with space and plumbing for a washing machine. There are two shelved cupboards as well as a walk-in pantry and stable door leading out to the garden. Finally on the ground floor is a second shower room with tiled shower cubicle, low level wc and wall mounted wash hand basin.

First floor

The main stairs lead from the reception hall up to a landing providing access to three of the four bedroom and a bathroom. The main bedroom enjoys exposed timbers and has a built-in wardrobe. The second bedroom is accessed from the landing with steps over and exposed timber into a good sized dual aspect bedroom with large exposed timbers and double door wardrobe. The third bedroom is a single with a wardrobe and further shelved linen cupboard as well as having access into the loft space.
The main bathroom has an attractive porthole window with roll top with claw and ball feet and pedestal wash hand basin. On the other side of the landing is a separate toilet with low level wc and pedestal wash hand basin. The final double bedroom is found off the second staircase again enjoying a dual aspect and having exposed timbers and housing the airing cupboard.

Outside and gardens

Clarkes Farm has a shared access with the neighbouring property leading round into its own shingled driveway affording ample parking and leading to the main house. Screened along the front boundary is a range of useful outbuildings including a stable, carport, open garage and workshop as well as a further second workshop building and shepherd hut. The outbuildings all have power and light connected to them and could be suitable for a variety of uses subject to any necessary consent.

Situated along the front boundary are a number of mature trees with the gardens leading round to the side where there is a large walled shingle area whilst the other side is a brick pathway leading through attractive shrub beds to the rear garden. The rear garden commences with a sun terrace leading out onto expansive lawns with well stocked shrub beds and trees with a central pond with further paved patio. A gateway in a wall provides access through to a vegetable garden where there is a greenhouse and garden shed whilst located towards the end of the garden is a further timber framed outbuilding measuring 32' x 18' which is currently used a games room. There is also a summer house which is being currently used as an office.


Ardleigh is a popular village positioned between Manningtree and Colchester in North east Essex. The village centre is around a mile from Orchard House although the best services for day-to-day use are at Manningtree which is less than ten minutes away by car.

Manningtree mainline station provides a direct service into London Liverpool Street with a journey time of 60-minutes.