Upper Howe Street, Finchingfield, Braintree, Essex, CM7

A stunning country residence set at the end of an idyllic private lane, surrounded by far reaching open farmland, on the periphery of the picturesque village of Finchingfield. The main house provides four bedrooms (two ensuite) with three generous receptions and substantial kitchen breakfast room. Within the landscaped grounds of circa 1.2 acres is a further detached one bedroom Essex barn/annexe, 16th century Dovecote and substantial double garage, adjoining double cart lodge and two storey leisure facility. Heated outdoor swimming pool, Alitex greenhouse, kitchen garden and stunning landscaped formal grounds, sunken barbecue terrace, orchard and meadow. Planning permission in perpetuity for a double storey extension and garden room/orangery with lantern roof to the main residence. Total square footage including the garage block (5687 sq ft). Short walk to Finchingfield. EPC E.


Main House (2834 SQ FT)
* Kitchen breakfast room
* Adjoining utility/boot room
* Snug
* Dining room
* Drawing room
* 4 double bedrooms (2 ensuite)
* Family bathroom
* Ground floor cloakroom
* Planning permission for a two-story extension and garden room /orangery with lantern roof
*Stunning views of the formal grounds and/or adjoining countryside from all of the principal rooms

A delightful entrance hall provides turning stairwell to the first-floor bedrooms, a ground floor cloakroom, slate tiled flooring and access into the snug located to the front of the house. This charming reception benefits from solid oak flooring, a dual aspect and gas fireplace on a slate hearth with pewter surround. To the adjacent side of the hallway is the stunning and substantial Harvey Jones fully fitted kitchen breakfast room enjoying a triple aspect, natural slate tiled flooring, a Britannia six burner hob with inset griddle and double oven. It also provides Kashmir granite worktops, Miele appliances and double doors onto the sunken barbecue terrace. The kitchen is served by an adjoining utility/boot room with a continuation of the flooring and cabinetry, generous stainless steel sink unit, stable door to the driveway and water softener and LPG boiler. The dining room again is dual aspect benefitting from bespoke shelving and joinery by a local craftsman, solid oak flooring and hidden bay with window seat and further bespoke shelving. The dining room opens into the drawing room with a continuation of the oak flooring and four generous windows offering stunning views of the surrounding garden, dovecote and orchard. Further double doors open onto the sunken barbecue terrace which is west facing. To the first floor there are four double bedrooms accessed via a galleried landing with solid wood flooring, of particular note the dual aspect principal bedroom boasting lovely views onto the surrounding grounds, dovecote and countryside with lime washed solid oak flooring to the bedroom and indeed the beautifully fitted adjoining ensuite bathroom with roll top bath, separate double length shower, “his” and “hers” sinks and generous open dressing area with further far reaching views of the countryside to the west. Bedroom two also provides a dual aspect and is located next to the walk in airing cupboard with loft access. Bedroom three is a good size double with views of the gardens, pool and countryside also benefitting from an ensuite shower room. Bedroom four is a smaller double bedroom with views towards the dovecote, located next to the family bathroom with separate shower. It is important to note that planning permission has been approved for a double storey extension and garden room with lantern roof (18/00595/FUL and 21/02702/HH).

Detached double garage and double cart lodge block with adjoining leisure facilities (1744 SQ FT)

* Double garage with copper sink unit and workbench with double doors offering mower access to the rear
* Adjoining double cart lodge
* Substantial ground floor gymnasium with ensuite ground floor shower room and bi-fold doors opening onto the pool terrace
* Vaulted first floor games room above with Juliet balcony, walk in storage and extensive eaves storage
* Separate electric heating


Detached Grade II listed, 16th Century Dovecote (417 SQ FT)

* Stunning ground floor wine room with solid oak cabinetry above a flagstone floor
*First floor living area/potential office with the most enviable views of the grounds and countryside

The stunning Grade II listed detached dovecote dates to the 16th century and has been fully refurbished and restored by the current owners, with a heavy solid oak timber frame to the ground floor. Bespoke solid oak wine cabinetry / racking sits above a flagstone floor and seating area. A discreet oak staircase leads up to a first-floor living /viewing room with vaulted ceiling and stunning triple aspect offering the most enviable views onto the surrounding grounds and countryside.

Detached one bedroom Essex Barn / Annexe (692 SQ FT)

* Kitchen breakfast room
* Vaulted living room with exposed timbers
* Generous ground floor shower room with double length walk-in shower

Externally

* Formal grounds designed partially by the award-winning and well-regarded Frederick Whyte
*Colour and interest throughout the grounds due to well considered successional planting
* The gardens have been created using a naturalistic planting style, welcoming an abundance of wildlife and pollinators
* Alitex greenhouse with automated irrigation and power
* Kitchen garden with seven raised beds
* Established orchard with tree-lined fruit walk
Meadow
* Sunken walled patio with Indian sandstone paving and impressive stone clay pizza oven, accessed via the sitting room and kitchen breakfast room
* Stunning heated outdoor pool, elevated behind the gym complex with extensive Indian sandstone surround and established hedging providing complete privacy
* Automated double entry gates set within a curved brick wall opening onto an extensive gravel driveway protected by low level brick with deep landscaping including mature topiary and further patio to the front of the main house.

The Indian sandstone patio divides to the east and west past the stunning wisteria beyond the main house, leading to both the sunken barbecue terrace and also to the pool terrace behind the leisure facilities. The pathway runs below further low brick walls with more established planting to the Alitex greenhouse and kitchen garden. The pool terrace steps up to the beautiful outdoor heated swimming pool (11m x 5m with a depth of 2m) with extensive Indian sandstone surround with established trees and hedging to its borders and far-reaching countryside beyond, creating an idyllic, peaceful setting benefitting from the sun throughout the day. Stepping stones lead from the pool area to the Alitex greenhouse which benefits from power and automated irrigation which serves the stunning kitchen garden with paved pathways, providing seven raised beds and central pergola with wisteria, jasmine and roses. Below this section of garden is an extensive sunken barbecue terrace which is accessed from the kitchen breakfast room and the main living room again benefitting from the Indian sandstone and a substantial clay and stone Pizza oven. Steps ascend to another gravel pathway with further seating area in front of the detached Dovecote, which looks back across the grounds and house to the south and west. To the east the grounds are predominantly laid to lawn and again are extremely private providing a beautiful orchard with its own tree lined fruit walk (plums, pears, cherries and apples). The garden also enjoys a wealth of wildlife and benefits from successional planting offering interest and colour throughout the year. The stunning grounds have been meticulously nurtured and developed during our client’s occupation and were originally partially designed by the award-winning Fredrick Whyte.

Services:
Mains water and electricity
Private drainage system
LPG central heating to the main house
Electricity to the Detached barn & leisure facilities

Council Tax Band G

Location

Dove House occupies an idyllic semi-rural location with the benefit of good communications into London and only a short walk into the village of Finchingfield, one of the most attractive North West Essex villages with a green and pond surrounded by a number of shops, restaurants, tea rooms and public houses. Village facilities include a primary school and an award-winning Health Centre. The historic market towns of Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow offer more comprehensive amenities. The main line station at Audley End (approx. 16.9 miles) provides a service to London Liverpool Street as does Braintree Station (approx. 10.6 miles). Bishop’s Stortford offers further amenities including access to the M11 junction, 8, connecting with the M25 to the south and Cambridge to the north.

There are well established independent schools serving the area including St Margarets in Gosfield, Felsted school and Dame Bradbury’s in Saffron Walden.