Approx. 651.92 Acres
Approx. 390.03 Acres Arable Land & 206.99 Acres Grassland
Grade II Listed Hall
5 Additional Residential Dwellings
INTRODUCTION
Steeped in history, Wormingford Hall is a rare offering to the market being sold for the first time since 1742. Having been in the ownership of the Vendors for 283 years, Wormingford Hall was formerly part of the Wormingford Manor which was owned by Waldegrave family between circa 1393 and 1702. Historically the Mere and part of the surrounding land formed a Deer Park and was the site of a Hunting Lodge.
Overlooking the Stour Valley, Wormingford Hall Estate provides a prospective purchaser with a rare opportunity to acquire an equipped commercial farm with excellent sporting potential in a highly sought-after part of Essex.
LOCATION & SITUATION
Wormingford Hall Estate is situated on the north and western edges of the village of Wormingford, just over 2 miles south-east of the village of Bures, 5 miles north-west of the village of West Bergholt and 7 miles north-west of the city of Colchester.
Both Wormingford and Bures were included in the Domesday Book and provide local amenities such as public houses, churches, post offices, sports facilities and the Bures Primary School, rated "Good" by Ofsted. Further afield, West Bergholt, Colchester and Sudbury provide a more extensive range of shops and amenities.
The railway station at Bures, via Marks Tey Station, provides links to London Liverpool Street (approx. 1hr 15m) and Colchester (approx. 30m) with the nearby A12 also providing road links to the wider region.
There are excellent schools locally in both the state and independent sectors - St Helena School, The Stanway School and Colchester Royal Grammar School, as are the independent Littlegarth School, Gosfield School, The Ryes College and Felsted School.
DESCRIPTION
The Estate comprises the attractive 8-bed Grade II Listed Hall, a 3-bed bungalow, a pair of semi-detached bungalows, a 3-bed detached dwelling, a 3-bed detached prefabricated bungalow, an extensive range of farm buildings with scope for conversion (STPP), agricultural land and the Mere. The property extends to a total of approximately 651.92 acres (263.82 hectares).
WORMINGFORD HALL
Wormingford Hall, situated adjacent to the farmyard, enjoys an elevated position overlooking the Stour Valley. First documented in 1267, The Hall is Grade II Listed with its current construction dating back to the 16th Century with mid-19th Century neo-Jacobean details. Constructed of timber frames with rendered walls on a brick plinth under tiled roofs, the Hall comprises two storeys and a cellar. The Hall has retained its character with period features throughout and is approached from the north east via the main driveway entrance, adjacent to The Lodge, which is lined by mature trees. The driveway serves all the residential dwellings and the farmyard, continuing past the Hall leading to the surrounding arable land and another entrance point, adjacent to The Bungalow.
The accommodation comprises:
Ground Floor
Porch, a panelled room with an external door. Leading to
Reception Hall, a tri-aspect room with panelled walls, polished timber floorboards, carved stone mantelpiece with brick fireplace and wood burning stove, principal stairs to First Floor. Leading to Drawing Room, Dining Room, Family Room, Utility, Inner Hall and Porch. Side door to garden.
Drawing Room, a tri-aspect room with panelled walls, polished timber floorboards, intricately carved timber mantelpiece and brick fireplace.
Dining Room, a dual-aspect room with panelled walls and polished timber floorboards.
Inner Hall leading to cellar stairs, WC with wash hand basin and store.
Family Room with a fireplace and door to side hallway.
Utility Room, double sink and built-in cabinets.
Side Hallway, secondary stairs to first floor, doors leading to kitchen, WC and external side door.
Kitchen with a 4-oven oil fired AGA with an additional electric AGA module with induction hob top, double sink with built-in cabinets. Door through to Pantry.
Pantry with built in cabinets.
Cloakroom, WC.
Boiler Room accessed via an external door.
First Floor
Main Landing with integrated storage and doors to:
Bedroom 1, dual aspect double room with a fireplace (blocked) and a door leading to shared bathroom. One of the windows is believed to have been signed by Mary Constable, a sister of John Constable known for his landscape paintings of the Dedham Vale.
Bathroom, WC, bath, shower and wash hand basin. A separate door leads to Bedroom 1.
Dressing Room with shower and wash hand basin. Door to Jack and Jill WC.
Bedroom 2, dual aspect double room with wash hand basin, cupboard and fireplace (blocked).
Bedroom 3, double room with wash hand basin and cupboard
Bedroom 4, dual aspect double room with cupboard, wash hand basin and fireplace (blocked).
Bathroom, bath, WC and wash hand basin.
Bedroom 5, single bedroom with built-in cupboard.
Door to rear landing with built in bookcase Leading to:
Housekeeping pantry with Belfast sink, cabinets and cupboard storage.
Secondary stairway.
Study with airing cupboard/hot water tank.
Bedroom 6, single room with wash hand basin and built in cupboard.
Bedroom 7, single room with built in linen cupboard.
Bedroom 8, single room with wash hand basin.
Bathroom with bath and WC.
Grounds
The gardens mostly surround the Hall and are predominantly laid to lawn. To the south of the Hall a level lawn is enclosed by a brick wall. A patio connects this lawn to the rest of the garden situated to the east and north of the Hall. This northern garden is tiered with steps providing access to each level, comprising grass lawns, beds and mature trees. The lower lawn includes a pond and summer house with further access to a lawned area which was formerly the tennis court.
There is an outbuilding with a greenhouse to the west of the Hall.
Hall House
To the west of the Hall is Hall House which is a detached 3-bed bungalow of rendered brick construction. The accommodation comprises a porch, living room; with a wood burning stove, dining room, kitchen; with an oil-fired AGA, conservatory, bathroom, WC and three bedrooms. The house was re-roofed in 2025. Due to the topography of the land a basement is situated under part of the house and is accessed from outside.
The dwelling benefits from separate parking and a large garden. A lean-to greenhouse is on the western elevation.
1 & 2 Hall Chase Cottage
A pair of semi-detached bungalows of rendered brick construction, believed to have been built by the Estate in the 1950s. No. 1 was renovated and extended in the early 2000s. The accommodation for each dwelling is as follows:
No. 1 - Porch, WC, Kitchen; with an electric AGA, living room, conservatory, hall, bathroom, bedroom 1, bedroom 2, storeroom with stairs to a converted attic room. In addition, there is an unconverted attic space used for storage.
No. 2 - Hall, bedroom 1, bedroom 2, living room, kitchen, bathroom, WC and timber framed conservatory.
Outside a garage is adjacent to No.2 whilst a separate garage block with 3 bays and a personnel door is situated to the south of the dwellings. Each dwelling has a garden and space for private parking adjacent to the garage block.
No. 2 is occupied by a Tenant who, as the spouse of a former farm employee, is protected by The Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 and has lived in the house for circa 70 years. More information can be obtained from the Selling Agents.
The Lodge
Situated adjacent to the main entrance to the Estate, The Lodge is a detached 3-bed dwelling of rendered brick construction. The accommodation comprises an entrance hall, WC, living room, kitchen, porch, downstairs bathroom, dining room and three First Floor bedrooms. The dwelling has private parking and a rear garden.
The dwelling is currently occupied under a Company Tenancy. Following the expiry of the initial 12-month term, on the 21st January 2026, the Tenant has continued to occupy the property on a monthly periodic tenancy basis. Further details can be obtained from the Selling Agents.
The Bungalow
Situated adjacent to the southern entrance to the driveway, The Bungalow is a prefabricated dwelling and is occupied by a Tenant who, as a former farm employee, is protected as an Assured Agricultural Occupancy (Housing Act 1988). Please contact the Selling Agents for further information.
FARMYARD
The main farmyard comprises an extensive range of traditional and modern buildings which are suitable for conversion, subject to planning. Further buildings, including a large general-purpose building are located to the south of the main farmyard, adjacent to the arable land. A full schedule of the buildings and plans can be obtained from the Selling Agents.
LAND
The Estate comprises 390.03 acres (157.83 hectares) of arable land, 206.99 acres (83.77 hectares) of grassland, 36.44 acres (14.76 acres) of woodland and the 6.43-acre (2.61 hectare) Wormingford Mere.
The land effectively lies in a single block conveniently divided into four by the B1508 and Church Road, off which there are various access points to each block with some good road frontage. The land is primarily classified as Grade 2, with a seam of Grade 3 running east to west through the property, predominantly where the grassland is situated. A number of the arable fields benefit from comprehensive under drainage with plans available upon request.
The land is defined by the Soil Survey of England & Wales as being predominantly of the Hornbeam 3 and Ludford Soil Associations, with the land adjacent to the River Stour of the Fladbury 1 Soil Association.
The arable land has been farmed both in-hand and under seasonal cropping licences. The in-hand farming has been undertaken through a Contract Farming Agreement. The current Contractor may be interested in continuing with this arrangement subject to agreeing terms with a Purchaser.
The arable land has been farmed in a rotation that consists of winter wheat, sugar beet, onions, potatoes, rye and AD maize. The full cropping history for the last 5 years is available from the Selling Agents.
The root crops have been grown under seasonal cropping licences with the growers providing their own water for crop irrigation via the Vendors two underground irrigation mains that run under parts of the holding. There are no abstraction licences on the Estate and no water for the irrigation of crops is included within the sale. Please contact the Selling Agents for further details.
Whilst areas of grassland surround the hall and farmyard, the majority of the grassland is situated in one block between the B1508 and River Stour. The land is grazed by cattle on seasonal grazing licences.
Adding to the sporting opportunity the grassland has undulations and valleys which, paired with the existing areas of woodland, would create some impressive drives.
Wormingford Mere is a natural feature, fed by springs, which is joined into the River Stour by a small cut. The Mere has previously been the focus of research undertaken by Cambridge University and the Colchester Archaeological Group in relation to its age and depth. Now the Mere is utilised by a local angling society by agreement with the owners. For further information please contact the Selling Agents.
GENERAL REMARKS AND STIPULATIONS
METHOD OF SALE
The Freehold is offered for sale by Private Treaty as a whole. If a purchaser is interested in any part of the property they are invited to discuss their requirements with the Selling Agents.
EXCHANGE OF CONTRACT & COMPLETION
Exchange of contracts and completion will take place within 28 days after receipt by the Purchaser's Solicitor of a draft contract with completion no later than 28 days thereafter. A deposit of 10% of the purchase price will be payable on exchange of contracts.
TENURE & POSSESSION
The property is offered for sale freehold.
Other than as detailed within these Particulars in relation to the existing residential tenancies and the holdover provisions, the property is offered for sale with vacant possession on completion.
OVERAGE
In relation to parcels 9173, 5481 and 3690 the Vendors reserve the right to receive 40% of any uplift in value in the event that planning permission is granted or there is a change of use (payment on earlier of sale or implementation) for any use other than agricultural or equine, for a period of 35 years from the date of completion.
HOLDOVER
To allow the Vendors to harvest any remaining crop relating to the 2026 harvest, they reserve a right of holdover:
- For the cereal crops until 30st September 2026.
- For the potatoes until 30th October 2026.
COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT
The farm is entered into a Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship Agreement, which has been granted a 1-year extension, expiring on the 31st December 2026. The Purchaser will be obligated to take over the agreement with effect from completion. Income under the agreement will be apportioned as at completion.
DELINKED PAYMENTS
The delinked payment is excluded from the sale.
WAYLEAVES, EASEMENTS & RIGHTS OF WAY
The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all existing rights, including rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and electricity supplies and other rights, easements, quasi-easements, and all wayleaves whether or not referred to in these particulars or Land Registry entries. In particular;
- No. 1 Fordham Road has a right of access over part of the access track as indicated by points A - B.
- Little Ashfield has a right of access over part of the access track as indicated by points X - Y.
- A water pipeline crosses the northern block of land.
- A gas pipeline crosses the eastern edge of the southern block of land.
SERVICES
Wormingford Hall - The Hall benefits from mains electricity. Potable water is provided via private spring, located in the land to the south of the Hall, which is pumped into a storage tank located in the farmyard and then piped to the Hall. The central heating and AGA are oil-fired. There are additional fire places and wood burning stoves. Foul drainage is to a private septic tank.
Hall House - Hall House has mains electricity. Water as above. The central heating and AGA are oil-fired. Foul drainage is to a private septic tank.
1 & 2 Hall Chase Cottages - The cottages benefit from mains electricity. Water as above. The central heating is oil-fired. Foul drainage is to a shared septic tank.
The Lodge - The Lodge benefits from mains electricity, water and drainage. The central heating is by gas cylinder.
The Bungalow - The Bungalow benefits from mains electricity, water and drainage. The central heating is oil-fired.
The Farmyard - The farm buildings benefit from mains electricity. An oil-fired boiler provides heating to the workshops. The water is provided from the spring as outlined above.
The Land - The grassland has water supplies to troughs. The northern land is from a metered mains supply off Church Road. The supply to the southern land is via the spring.
Note: Whilst none of these services have been tested by the Agents, the certificate in relation to the spring water can be obtained from the Selling Agents on request.
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE
Hall House - E.
The Lodge - E.
1 Hall Chase Cottage - E.
2 Hall Chase Cottage - E.
The Bungalow - E.
OUTGOINGS
Wormingford Hall is in Council Tax Band - H.
Hall House is in Council Tax Band - D.
The Lodge is in Council Tax Band - D.
Hall Chase Cottage is in Council Tax Band - C.
The Bungalow is in Council Tax Band - B.
Drainage rates are also payable across the farmland.
Apportionment of all outgoings will be made as at the date of completion
FIXTURES & FITTINGS
All fixtures and fittings are excluded from the sale unless specifically referred to in these particulars.
BOUNDARIES
The Purchaser will be deemed to have full knowledge of all boundaries comprising the property. Neither the vendor nor their agents shall be responsible for defining the boundaries of the ownership thereof.
LOCAL AUTHORITY
Essex County Council.
Colchester City Council.
SPORTING, MINERAL AND TIMBER RIGHTS
All sporting rights, timber or timber like trees, and mineral rights except as reserved by statute or to The Crown are included in the sale.
TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGS (PROTECTION OF EMPLOYMENT REGULATIONS)
There are no farm employees to be transferred under TUPE regulations.
FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
Those items mentioned in these particulars are included in the freehold sale and the property is sold as seen.
VAT
Should any aspect of the farm or any right attached to it become a chargeable supply for the purposes of VAT, such tax shall be payable in addition to the purchase price by the Purchaser.
PLANS, AREAS & SCHEDULES
These have been prepared as carefully as possible and based on the Ordnance Survey national grid landline data. The plans are published for illustrative purposes only and although they are believed to be correct, their accuracy is not guaranteed.
TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING
The purchaser/s will be deemed to have full knowledge and have satisfied themselves as to any planning matters that may affect the property.
DISPUTES
Should any disputes arise as to the boundaries or any points concerning the particulars, schedules, plans and tenant right issues, or the interpretation of any of them, the question will be referred to an Arbitrator appointed by the Selling Agent.
HEALTH & SAFETY
The property comprises working farms and therefore viewers should be careful and vigilant whilst on the holding. Neither the Seller nor the Selling Agents are responsible for the safety of those viewing the property and accordingly those viewing the property do so at their own risk.
ANTI MONEY LAUNDERING
In accordance with the most recent Anti Money Laundering Legislation, the Buyer/s will be required to provide proof of identity and address to the Selling Agents once an offer is submitted and prior to Solicitors being instructed.
WHAT 3 WORDS LOCATION SEQUENCE
Main Access - ///quitter.starter.division
VIEWINGS
Viewings strictly by appointment with Brown & Co.
Please contact:
Robert Fairey - - robert.
Nicholas Staton - - nicholas.
GENERAL REMARKS AND STIPULATIONS
These particulars are Subject to Contract.
