Oak Road, Little Maplestead, Essex CO9 2RT

Quote Ref: DP0213 when requesting further details of this unique and fantastic opportunity to purchase this meticulously restored 15th Century Grade II listed farmhouse set within open countryside on a half an acre plot with a pond and part moated.

Hampers is an ideal example of a Grade II listed farmhouse with its traditional H-shaped design and jettied cross wings set in a location surrounded by open fields and away from the busy roads but well within commuting distance to London via the A12 and M11 and with Braintree and Kelvedon Train stations a 20 minute drive away. The current architect owner has meticulously restored Hampers back to its former glory using sympathetic materials and techniques to repair the fabric of the building and creating the best living use of the home. Works included removing the cement rendering, fully repairing the frame, adding additional sheep's wool insulation between the timbers and re-rendering with lath and lime plaster.  Excavating the floor to provide insulation and a new limecrete slab with wet underfloor heating under the flagstone floor. Additional cork insulation was added to the studio walls, and the thickness of the insulation in the roof was increased. The windows were either replaced or overhauled to minimise drafts. The work was done with listed building and building regulation approvals. The property layout lends itself to creating a self-contained annexe for dual occupancy if needed.

To take you through this impressive property you can start at the solid oak front door that leads you into the main drawing/dining room. Now when you live here you will probably enter the house through the side door that takes you into the utility room where you can take your boots off and make sure the dogs are away from the main part of the home, but for continuity we will go back to the drawing room. This room is a most impressive double aspect room with timber ceilings and an open brick inglenook fireplace and brick hearth fitted with a wood burning stove, there is a staircase to the first floor and all set on a flagstone floor with underfloor heating. The second of the double aspect reception rooms is a characterful sitting room with a box bay window and with fitted window seat to take in the garden and farmland views, there is another brick-built inglenook fireplace with bressummer and wood mantle over, there is a part glazed door to the southerly terrace and further doors to the alcove, study and studio rooms. The studio sits at the southern part of the property with a brick-built fireplace, a loft access and a window overlooking the garden. The study removed could make the kitchen for the proposed annexe if needed, is armed with a small wash hand basin, fitted cupboard and a window overlooking the central rear patio, a passageway then leads through to the wet room and a door leading to the rear garden.  As we make our way back through the property to the northern side we find the kitchen/breakfast room, a real authentic farmhouse style kitchen with double aspect windows, fitted with a hand built range of shaker style kitchen units and drawers with silestone work surfaces and an inset ceramic double butler sink, a two ring ceramic hob, an integral dishwasher and a Sandyford Sherlock range cooker. There is also a matching island with an oak work surface and an open brick fireplace with wood burner fitted within. From the kitchen is the utility/laundry room with a semi vaulted tongue and groove ceiling with some original lime pargeting removed, there is a contemporary range of fitted units with oak work surfaces with a stainless steel sink, space and plumbing for the washing machine, a walk in shelved larder and a stable door leading to the side aspect and also French doors to the garden.

There are two staircases leading to the first floor, the first set from the kitchen lead up to the principle suite, a fabulous room with double aspect windows, a feature red brick chimney stack and 14” original floorboards and ventilated panel enclosed radiators. The room is open plan to the en-suite bathroom with a panel enclosed bath, built in oak vanity unit with twin sinks, a low level flush wc and built in shelved cabinets. From the bedroom there is a door and steps up to the dressing room which has a bespoke fitted range of skaer style wardrobe units and a continuation of the original floorboards.  The second staircase leads up to the second landing where there are doors to the three bedrooms. The landing has painted floorboards and a range of built in bookshelves and a linen cupboard. Bedroom two sits at the front of the property overlooking the pond, a good-sized double with character wide floorboards and exposed timbers. Bedroom three is another double room with exposed timber and views to the side aspects over the farmland beyond. Bedroom four is ideal as a child’s bedroom with a restricted height low doorway and an irregular shape and eaves storage and a window overlooking the rear garden. The bathroom completes the accommodation with a freestanding roll top bath with shower over, a built-in vanity unit with Mahogany surface, an inset hand wash basin and low level flush wc.

Outside:

Hampers sits on a half an acre plot with a pond and is part moated to the rear of the garden. There is a driveway entrance leading up to the property where there is ample parking for a number of cars, the plot is surrounded by a number of hedgerow and specimen trees that create the privacy. There is a garage and potting shed with power. The rear garden is a delight with a brick paved pathway and central patio, there is a lawned that flows to the rear of the property, to the side is a gate leading to the further vegetable garden and fruit cage and oil tank. A further store is visible as well as the greenhouse. 

Agents Note:

The property is Grade II listed. *The private drainage does not meet modern regulations and needs replacement at an estimated cost of £15,000 and this has been taken into consideration. 

Services: Mains Electricity. Main Water. Private Drainage*. Oil Fired Heating. Braintree Council Tax Band G.