Lot 1 | Over Hall, Colne Engaine, Colchester, Essex, CO6

An exceptional example of a rural Essex residential property.

Description

Introduction

Set amidst 12 acres of breathtaking grounds between the picturesque Colne and Stour valleys, Over Hall commands one of the finest positions in Essex. Nestled in peaceful seclusion yet within easy reach of Colne Engaine, Earls Colne, and the bustling towns of Halstead and Colchester, this elegant Regency home offers a rare blend of rural tranquillity and convenient access to London via fast rail links from Kelvedon or Marks Tey, and road connections via the A12.

Dating back to 1831, Over Hall is a magnificent red-brick residence under a slated roof, showcasing the timeless elegance of Regency architecture. The striking symmetrical façade, central porticoed porch, and twin verandas set the tone for the grandeur within. Inside, a spacious entrance hall with a galleried landing and flagstone floor leads to three generous principal reception rooms, a kitchen/breakfast room, snug, utility, cloakroom, and cellar. Upstairs, a beautiful mahogany staircase leads to a generous landing, principal bedroom suite, five additional bedrooms, and two further bathrooms, all enjoying splendid views of the surrounding gardens. A secondary staircase provides discrete access to the upper floor.

The grounds are truly exceptional, gently sloping westward into the valley and framed by ancient oak and hornbeam trees. A gravel drive winds through a brick archway and wrought iron gates to a handsome sweep before the house, then continues to a cobbled courtyard and extensive outbuildings.

These include garaging for up to 12 vehicles, a traditional barn, multiple stores and a characterful estate office with potential for conversion to staff accommodation.

For those who enjoy outdoor living, Over Hall offers a wealth of leisure facilities: a swimming pool with changing rooms, a tennis court, stable block with five boxes and a tack room and tranquil landscaped gardens with terraces, rose beds, a spring-fed pond with cascading waterfalls and a charming walled garden complete with crinkle-crankle wall and thatched summer house.

The perfect fusion of refined architecture, scenic beauty and practical amenities, Over Hall is one of the most enchanting small estates in Essex, an opportunity rarely found and impossible to forget.

The Property is offered as a whole or in 5 lots.

Lot 1: 5.157 Ha (12.73 acres) | Over Hall together with garden, grounds, garaging offices and farm buildings

Storage Barn/workshop - 12.2m x 30.47 m. Portal framed building with fibre cement cladding and roof. Adjacent weatherboarded open barn 7.72m x 14.87m and adjacent garage 7.72m x 6.72m part occupied by car mechanic.

Lot 2: 0.209 Ha (0.52 acres) | 1 & 2 Over Hall Cottages

In addition, two two-bedroom semi-detached cottages are available for sale. These properties would be ideal for multigenerational living, staff accommodation, or as a rental investment opportunity

Lot 3: 21.75 Ha (53.76 acres) | Arable, countryside stewardship and woodland

This lot includes 2 arable fields lying beside the road between Countess Cross and White Colne together with 2 blocks of countryside stewardship being interspersed with attractive woodland lying behind Over Hall. The land is accessed from either the main road from Countess Cross towards Colne Engaine or the side road known as Over Hall Lane. It is classified by DEFRA as Grades 2 and 3. The soil type being of the Hornbeam 3 soil series. The arable land is currently cropped with winter wheat and is farmed under a Farm Business Tenancy by a neighbouring farmer. The woodland areas benefit from some attractive mature trees providing an interesting back drop to the countryside stewardship which provides excellent wildlife cover. There is public footpath across this block of land which leads into the water meadows and back out onto Over Hall Road.

Lot 4: 18.1 Ha (44.73 acres) | Arable, grassland and woodland

A compact block of land lying adjacent to Over Hall Road and being accessed directly off the public highway. Part of the land is arable currently growing oil seed , whilst the woodland provides a combination of mature trees and an interesting backdrop for the land. Classified as Grade 3 under the Land Classification Series in England and Wales. The soil is of the Hornbeam 3 soil series. The water meadows also grow some Cricket Bat Willows of varying ages grown under contract for J S Wright and yielding an additional income. Again, this land is subject to a Farm Business Tenancy.

Lot 5: 20.69 Ha (51.12 acres) | Arable and woodland

Lying to the north side of Over Hall Lane and adjacent to the Countess Cross to Pebmarsh public highway. This forms a compact block of land in 4 main fields, part currently cropped with winter wheat and part in a countryside stewardship scheme, interspersed with a small amount of woodland and tree belts. Some of the land lies adjacent to Pebmarsh brook and is affected by a short public footpath in the Northwestern border. Classified as Grade 3 by the Land Classification Series in England and Wales. The block is of the Hornbeam 3 soil series.




Acreage: 12.73 Acres

Directions

The nearest postcode is CO6 2HW.

What3words: ///tradition.star.light

Additional Info

Method of Sale
Over Hall Farm is offered for sale as a whole or in 5 lots by private treaty.


Tenure and Possession
The house is offered for sale, freehold with vacant possession whilst the land is subject to the existing Farm Business Tenancy for which notice can be served to expire in September 2027. Further details can be provided from the vendor’s agent.


Basic Payment Scheme
Entitlements to the BPS are not included in the sale.


Environmental Schemes
The land is included in a Countryside Stewardship scheme, applied for by the tenant and the income from this scheme is payable to the tenant directly, it expires in August 2026. The farm is within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.


Cricket Bat Willows
Cricket Bat Willow trees are grown in part of Lot 4 under contract to J S Wright for which an additional income is provided from time to time.


Fencing
If sold in Lots a requirement for the purchaser of Lot 3 to fence any necessary boundaries adjacent to Lots 1and 2. The purchaser of Lot 4 to fence any necessary boundaries against Lots 1 and 2.


Easements, Covenant, Rights of Way and Restrictions
The property is sold subject to, or with the benefit of all existing wayleaves, easements, quasi easements, rights of way, covenants and restrictions whether mentioned in these particulars or not. There is a public footpath crossing part of Lot 3 going onto Lot 1 and out to the public highway. There is a public footpath along the northern part of Lot 5 and travelling down the western boundary of Lot 5 before heading to the neighbours property.


Mineral, Sporting and Timber Rights
Included in the sale as far as they are owned.


Boundaries, Plans, Areas, Schedules and Disputes
The boundaries are based on the Ordnance Survey and are for reference only. The purchaser will be deemed to have full knowledge of the boundaries, and an error or mistake shall not annul the sale or entitle any party to compensation in respect thereof. Should any dispute arise as to the boundaries or any points arise on the general remarks and stipulation, particulars, schedules, plan or the interpretation of any of them, such questions shall be referred to the selling agent whose decision acting as expert shall be final.


Health and Safety
Given the potential hazards of a working farm, we would ask you to be as vigilant as possible when inspecting the holding for your own personal safety, in particular around the grain store and open water, and open ditches.