Lexden Bridge Hamlet, Colchester, Essex, CO3

Oil Mill House now The Bridge House is an un-listed and substantial early Victorian house set within grounds of approx 11 acres. Total sqft 5140.

History

The property was built in the mid 1800's for Samuel Chaplin, a seed crusher, who was Mayor of Colchester in 1880 and historically formed part of the Lexden Manor Estate, one of the family seats of the Papillon Family. The property boasts a beautiful facade fronting Spring Lane and is constructed of red brick elevations under a slate roof with inset sash windows.


Accommodation

Ground floor

The interior is particularly light and spacious with well-proportioned rooms, most of which have attractive views of the mature gardens. The triple aspect drawing room is particularly impressive, with an open fireplace with timber mantelpiece, recessed display shelving, three quarter height sash windows and French doors opening to the conservatory and overlooking the garden to the south which has a riverside frontage. The ground floor is complete with the kitchen/breakfast room, two further reception rooms one giving access to the cellar, utility and ground floor cloaks w/c.


First floor

Ascending the stairs, a landing gives way to five double bedrooms and the family bathroom. The Master Suite comes with dressing room and a further bathroom.

Outside

Timber gates open to a gravel courtyard with ample parking and turning space and a range of outbuildings including a large garage, accessed off Spring Lane, with double doors, an adjacent pool plant room, garden store and red brick stable block comprising two horse boxes, tack room and loft over. To the rear overlooking the garden is a further store and a garden room. There is potential to convert the stable block to ancillary accommodation or an office, subject to the necessary planning consents.

The attractive gardens are principally to the east of the house, laid to lawn and planted with a variety of spring bulbs and many mature trees, including oak, yew and a good variety of fruit trees. To one side of the garden is a heated tiled swimming pool enclosed by picket fencing. The garden to the south is bounded by the former millrace which flows into the River Colne. There are paddocks on three sides of the garden; to the north, the land is planted with willow trees, to the east is a field with a belt of deciduous woodland adjoining Remembrance Avenue and there is a further paddock to the south of the mill race. The land to the south and east is bounded by the River Colne over which The Bridge House has Riparian rights.

What’s nearby

The Bridge House is situated in a highly convenient setting along Spring Lane, Lexden Bridge Hamlet which is located off the Avenue of Remembrance with easy access to Colchester City centre which has a wide range of shops and restaurants. The surrounding area has numerous recreational facilities within easy reach, including Lexden Wood Golf Club, Cymbeline Meadows, Lexden Park and sailing and beaches at West Mersea, Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea.

There are also a number of highly regarded schools nearby including Colchester Royal Grammar School, St Marys, Colchester High School, Philip Morant School and College and Holmwood House Preparatory School.

For the commuter, Colchester North Station is a stone’s throw away and provides mainline rail service to London Liverpool Street taking approximately 50 minutes. There is easy access to the A12 linking to Ipswich and the A14 to the north and Chelmsford, London and the M25 to the south.