Delvyns Lane, Gestingthorpe, Halstead, Essex, CO9

A substantial country farmhouse with coach house and grounds.

Description

This impressive Grade II listed farmhouse, originally constructed in the early 15th Century as a Hall House with later 19th Century additions, offers versatile accommodation over two floors that has been sympathetically maintained, while also being upgraded and stylishly refreshed by the current owners. Parkgate Farm once formed part of the Castle Estate of Hedingham Castle, located approximately one mile away. Its historic significance is reflected in its architectural proportions, including high ceilings, original servants’ quarters, and unspoilt service rooms.

The generous accommodation is laid out over two floors and benefits from period features such as exposed timbers, wooden floors, a cellar, sash windows and fireplaces with wood burning stoves. The ground floor accommodation includes a dining room and drawing room, which run continuous, giving a very light and roomy feel. This open-plan area has exposed stud work and a wood burning stove. Windows look out over the sweeping lawns and the large pond can be seen at the bottom of the lawn. This room leads into the sitting room which also benefits from an exposed fireplace with a Charnwood Island II wood burning stove, exposed beams and a dual aspect over gardens. A further reception room, the snug, is accessed off the inner hallway. This is a cosy space with a Jotul wood burning stove, beautiful stone surround and original brick floor.

This in turn leads through to the bespoke Baker & Baker kitchen which affords an electric Everhot range, island and is open plan through to the breakfast room and walk in larder beyond. It also features a log burning stove. Also on the ground floor is a butler’s cupboard, a boot room, a study and W.C. and access to the cellar.

The first floor can be reached by one of two staircases. The first staircase is in the dining hall which opens up on to a spacious landing area. The principal bedroom has fitted wardrobes and a large en-suite shower room. There are a further three double bedrooms, family bathroom and separate shower room as well as linen cupboard and two storage cupboards.

The east wing of the first floor is accessed by a second staircase. This leads to both the main landing and also a self-contained annex, which can also be used as part of the main house accommodation depending on owners’ requirements. The annex benefits from a southerly aspect with excellent natural light and views over the gardens. It has a bathroom, bedroom and sitting room, which could also be used as an additional bedroom and a kitchen.

Outside
The house itself offers an instantly impressive approach with gravelled driveways in front of the house and continuing around to the rear. There is a large pond at the front of the property surrounded by estate fencing. The pond is a natural habitat with ducks and moorhens, as well as visiting herons. The mature grounds are surrounded by neighbouring land and vast stretches of open countryside. There is a small wood with an impressive display of snowdrops in January and wild garlic in March.

The property is complemented by a two-storey Victorian red brick Coach House with original stables. This building has Planning and Listed Building Consent to convert into a two-storey holiday let accommodation. A former outbuilding has been stylishly converted into a garden home office or studio. This benefits from new double-glazed oak-framed windows to the front and rear as well as double-glazed oak French doors that open to a patio. The studio has been fitted and completed to the highest of standards with insulation, electric underfloor heating, an Esse woodburning stove and handmade kitchenette area with oak countertop. This studio benefits from natural light throughout the day.

Within the mature grounds is garaging, storage & log sheds, alongside an outdoor heated (via an air source heat pump) swimming pool, kitchen garden with wooden raised beds, an orchard of apple, pear, plum, medlar and fig trees and a paddock for grazing horses/livestock, with gated access directly onto Delvyn’s Lane.

Location

The property is situated in a peaceful adopted rural lane which is a no through road, continuing into an unmade Byway for hacking and a country stroll into the village of Gestingthorpe. The lane comes out close to The Pheasant Pub/Restaurant. The property is surrounded by enviable open countryside with a terrific network of bridleways and public footpaths within the vicinity with access to both Gestingthorpe and Castle Hedingham, where the Norman 'Hedingham Castle' stands.

The general area is popular for visiting tourists with numerous nearby country pubs, village tea rooms, boutique shops and farm shops.Gestingthorpe and Castle Hedingham lie on the edge of the Colne Valley, equidistant from the market towns of Halstead, Essex and Sudbury, Suffolk. Commuting to London can be via Sudbury or Braintree rail stations. Stansted Airport is a 40 min drive away.

Excellent nearby education and amenities include; De Vere Primary School, Hedingham School, St Margaret's, Gosfield School. Hedingham Medical Centre (doctor's surgery), village shops, tea rooms, restaurants and pubs are also nearby in Castle Hedingham.

Square Footage: 5,281 sq ft


Acreage: 4.7 Acres

Additional Info

Mains water and electricity. Private drainage. Oil fired central heating.

Water supply via a private network metered by the adjacent landowner.

CCTV

Starlink provides excellent high-speed internet