Abbey Street, Ickleton, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB10

An exceptional Grade II Listed Georgian Manor House with stunning secluded gardens and wooded grounds.

Description

Caldrees Manor has a rich and fascinating history and bears the blue commemorative plaque to one of its more famous owners Sir Robert Herbert (1831-1905) Queensland’s first (and youngest) premier.

The impressive Grade II listed Manor House was mostly created circa 1800 around the nucleus of the former 16th or 17th century farmhouse. Later additions and alterations have resulted in a very fine and imposing period gem tucked away behind its boundary wall in the very heart of the village.

The 19th century yellow gault brick façade incorporates a variety of parapets, gables, and bays with a grand columned entrance porch towards the north eastern end complete with acanthus capitals and bases. Whilst the rear elevation has a three-bay red brick range to the southwest (possibly 18th century) together with a gault brick section incorporating impressive double height bays which allow tremendous views over the gardens and grounds.

Listed Grade II as being of historic and architectural interest, there are many fine period features, from intricate cornicing to fluted architraves, fireplaces (one with rococo detail), panelled doors and high ceilings. This is an exceptional, rarely available property which has been cherished and sympathetically upgraded by the vendors and now provides grand yet comfortable, spacious and versatile accommodation over three floors (plus cellars).

The incredible grand double height reception hall with its carved Victorian staircase, impressive fireplace with late 17th century fluted pilasters and large windows on two levels provides a fitting entrance to this fine house.

The high ceilinged Billiard room (formerly the ball room) has a deep bay window overlooking the terrace and formal lawned garden, detailed cornicing and an early 18th century fire surround. There is direct access from both here and the reception hall to the formal dining hall which in turn leads directly to the conservatory. This is a later addition which enjoys wonderful views across the gardens, electric blinds and air conditioning.

Beyond the dining hall is the library/snug to the right which is fitted with shelving and has a superb fireplace; and the drawing room with wonderful garden views to the rear. This room has curved double doors opening it directly into the sitting room (front) making a really spacious double reception space as required. A side lobby with an earlier two story staircase having an elegant, curved and polished handrail provides further access to the gardens and gardeners cloakroom together with the kitchen which in turn is fitted with an extensive range of floor and wall units, an oil fired Aga, central island with breakfast bar, dishwasher, a wine cooler/chiller and freezer, two pantries (with a further freezer) and further storage. The adjacent breakfast room connects to the boiler room and also leads to the side lobby with secondary entrance and adjoining studio/playroom with wc.

Returning to the reception hall, a sitting room to the right has separate side access and a staircase to an upper bedroom suite whilst to the left of the hall is a powder room and visitor’s cloaks

The first floor comprises a very impressive and spacious principal suite of bedroom with garden views, dressing room and shower room, there are four further bedroom suites, a sixth bedroom (or study) and a very useful LAUNDRY ROOM on this floor. From the inner landing there is also access to an INDEPENDENT APARTMENT comprising hall, sitting room, kitchen, cloakroom, shower room and two bedrooms with a staircase access back to a door at the front of the house. Two of the bedrooms, including the principal, have air conditioning.

The upper floor of the central section of the house provides two additional bedrooms used at present as a GYM and OFFICE.

The extensive cellars, with limited ceiling height, provide a range of numbered wine bins.

At the north western corner of the house is an independent TWO BEDROOMED ANNEXE comprising a sitting room, kitchen/dining room, two bedrooms, a shower room and cloakroom with side access.

According to a local historian, the grounds were extended by exchanging land with Clare Hall in 1870 and 1884 and at this time a stream was diverted to create ornamental ponds.

There is a sweeping gravel drive with considerable parking and a central circular bed. The vendors have purchased additional land/woodland during their tenure and as well as improving the formal garden with its sweeping lawns, Summer House, rose planting, shaped beds, water feature and large duck pond, they have created a PHENOMENAL PLEASURE GARDEN comprising a wide variety of garden rooms all with extensive planting resulting in a glorious private retreat with many special spots to sit and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. To name but a few, these include the Japanese Garden, the Dry Garden, the Fernery, the Stumpery, the Wild garden, the Hydrangea Walk, an Arboretum, the New Wood and two Acer glades. Nearer the house is an orchard (apples, pears and plums) , a fenced TENNIS COURT, former MANEGE, STABLE YARD (up to 7 boxes), various GARDEN STORES and a coach house with three car garaging. There are two freezers in one of the stables.

In all about 21.957 acres.

Location

Ickleton is an attractive village placed on the Essex/Cambridgeshire border.

Within the village there is a public house, village shop/post office and a fine parish church. Excellent, shopping, recreational and cultural facilities are available in the nearby medieval market town of Saffron Walden 4 miles to the east and the high tech University city of Cambridge is 13 miles to the north with its comprehensive cultural, recreational and shopping facilities.

There are well regarded schools in the area including renowned independent schools in Saffron Walden including Dame Bradbury's which feeds into the Stephen Perse Foundation in Cambridge. There are further independent schools in Cambridge including The Perse, St Faiths and The Leys.

For the commuter there is ready access onto the A11 and M11 (south) (Junction 9) on the edge of the adjacent village of Hinxton leading to the south to Stansted airport (junction 8), the M25 and London. Mainline rail services are available at Great Chesterford station (1.2 miles) and Audley End leading into Cambridge and London’s Liverpool Street station.

(all distances and times are approximate)

Square Footage: 13,279 sq ft


Acreage: 21.95 Acres

Additional Info

Agents’ Notes: There are two bore holes in the grounds which are used for water features and for irrigation

The vendors are proposing to sell the property with an Overage on the paddock – terms to be agreed

There is an electric car charger to the front of the property and full fibre broadband serving the house.

The flats (2a and 2b) have an EPC rating of D.