5 bedroom detached house for sale

Tenure: Freehold

Prominent detached Victorian house with an abundance of interest and character, occupying a corner plot, at the heart of old Lexden Village.

Combe Hay House is found opposite the church of St Leonards on the corner of Lexden Road and Spring Lane. The area is at the heart of the village of Lexden and now forms part of the western suburb of Colchester. It is believed that the present house was built circa 1860, but the style of the garage suggests that an earlier building existed on the side; the style of garage is from at least a hundred years earlier and its design suggests that it was originally a coach house with two adjoining stables. At the beginning of the 20 th century Canon Lester was appointed to Lexden Church and he made the house the Vicarage.
He was responsible for a considerable amount of improvement and extension to the property including the construction of what is believed to have been designed as a vestry, currently used as a music room. Evidence of the care and attention he paid to this work is demonstrated by the ecclesiastical carving of the staircase and fireplace surround in the lounge, and church style doors particularly the front door and the door to the music room/vestry. It is believed that the house ceased to be the Vicarage about 1920.

Ground Floor
A large solid oak entrance door leads through to the main reception hall with attractive pattern tiled floor, ornate cornicing and plate shelves above the doorway. At the end of the hall is a large leaded light picture window half way up the attractive turning staircase. To the front of the property is the dining room with ornate cornicing, closed fireplace, large south facing picture window and a door leading through to the conservatory, a large addition by the current owners, with double glazed windows offering panoramic views over the garden with French doors leading out. Also off the hallway is the drawing room, again a magnificently proportioned room with closed fireplace and carved timbered surround, ornate cornicing and large west facing window overlooking the gardens. A door leads through with steps down into the vestry, a magnificent room with 10’8” high vaulted timbered ceiling with decorative carvings, oak flooring and oak door leading out to the garden.
Two impressive leaded light windows and an attractive fireplace within the room retains the original built in shelving. Located off the vestry there is a recently appointed shower room being fully tiled with contemporary suite comprising low level wc, vanity unit, wash hand basin, tiled shower area with glass screen and a heated towel rail. The kitchen with magnificent south facing window, is comprehensively fitted in a range of base units under work surfaces and divided into two sections, whilst in the recess is a range of wall mounted cupboards. Finally at the rear of the property is a utility room which links well with the kitchen and has plumbing for automatic washing and a door leading to the servant’s staircase.

First Floor
An attractive front staircase leads up to the main bedroom accommodation with spacious landing with high ceiling and magnificent west facing leaded light window. To the front of the property is the master bedroom, a well proportioned room with double glazed picture window with views down Church Lane. To one wall in the bedroom is a range of built in wardrobes. The second bedroom again has excellent proportions and has been extended with large west facing window. The room has almost 10’ high ceilings with ornate cornicing, built in wardrobes to one wall whilst a range of further bedroom furniture is built around the window including a window seat. Finally of the front landing is a modest double bedroom and the main family bathroom with panelled bath and shower attachment, low level wc and pedestal wash hand basin. A door leads through to the back landing located at a lower level where two further bedrooms are found, both with vaulted ceilings with partially restricted head room. Located off the servants staircase is a study with dual aspect.



Outside and Garden
To the front of the property a gated entrance provides access to the entrance porch. The remainder of the front is screened from the Lexden Road by 6’ fencing and mature trees.
Located at the side of the property, enjoying views from the sitting room, conservatory and vestry, is a courtyard garden comprising of block paving with sunken circular pond and a range of plants and shrubs including conifers. A pathway continues to the side of the vestry down to a further garden with paved terrace and well stocked flower and shrub borders located to the side of coach house with steps leading down to a further paved terrace with attractive bluebells, established shrubs including roses and enclosed predominately by brick walls. To the immediate rear of the house is a covered area with steps leading down to a door through to an open cellar with approximate 5’5” headroom. There are three areas comprising of 20’4” x 7’9”, 13’8” x 11’9” and 15’ x 11’10” maximum. There is also an apple store (8’8” x 3’), further brick outhouse and attractive gated entrance leading out to Spring Lane. A further gate leads out to the car parking area for approximately three cars in front of the coach house. The coach house is divided into two sections, firstly currently used as a garage 19’4” x 11’1” and the second area 16’10” x 11’10” with two sets of opening doors to the front and access leading up to a hay loft above.

Porch

Reception Hall

Kitchen

Drawing Room

Utility Room

Shower Room

Vestry

Dining Room

Conservatory

Bedroom

Bedroom

Bedroom

Bedroom

Bedroom

Bathroom

Study

Property Ref:1_1144_2495091