Willows Green, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3

Prominent country house within 2 miles of Felsted.

Description

An impressive Grade II listed country house with origins dating back to the 17th century, Leighs Lodge occupies an attractive rural setting in the Essex countryside, approximately 2 miles from Felsted. The property offers in excess of 5,200sq ft of accommodation, retaining a wealth of fine period features and architectural detailing characteristic of its age. The house is timber framed and plastered, with attractive panelled pargetting and a strong sense of local heritage. Elegant elevations sit beneath a traditional peg-tiled roof, while the accommodation is arranged over three floors and offers generous proportions throughout. The current owners have carefully re-styled the house, creating a comfortable and family home while preserving its period character. The rooms are well proportioned and benefit from good levels of natural light. Leighs Lodge is set within approximately 3.4 acres of landscaped gardens and grounds.

The impressive reception hall sets the tone, with original leaded-light windows and a handsome staircase with wrought-iron balustrading. The principal reception rooms are well connected and provide a versatile arrangement for both formal entertaining and more informal family living. Of particular note is the elegant drawing room, centred around a substantial Inglenook fireplace with wood-burning stove. Further reception accommodation includes a dining room, a study/home office overlooking the gardens, a library and an adjoining family room/snug, providing a range of options for both family life and working from home. The re-styled kitchen/breakfast room occupies a central position at the rear of the house. Designed in a traditional style, the kitchen features bespoke solid wood cabinetry, a central island, a hot water tap, a fridge/freezer, a dishwasher, a range cooker and an attractive traditional fireplace with wood-burning stove. The kitchen connects to a generously proportioned utility/boot room, which benefits from a separate external entrance and direct access to the gardens and pool terrace.

The bedroom accommodation is equally well considered. The principal suite occupies a private wing on the upper floor and includes two dressing rooms and two en suite bathrooms, creating distinct ‘his and hers’ facilities. Four further well-proportioned double bedrooms, together with a number of bath and shower rooms, provide excellent accommodation for family and guests.

Outside
The gardens and grounds are a particularly notable feature of Leighs Lodge, extending to provide a private and secluded setting. A series of well-positioned seating areas provide opportunities to enjoy the gardens throughout the day, while sweeping lawns are framed by mature specimen trees and established planting. A large ornamental pond forms an attractive focal point. To the rear of the house, a walled Mediterranean garden provides a sheltered and sun-filled setting, with traditional red-brick walls and established boundary planting. The swimming pool and adjoining terrace form an excellent area for outdoor entertaining space, with a range of traditional outbuildings providing garaging and storage, together with a separate gymnasium featuring a vaulted ceiling. Two oak-framed cart lodges provide further covered parking, each with its own EV charging point. The grounds are divided, with approximately 1.7 acres of land situated directly opposite the property offering further potential for equestrian, leisure or amenity use.

Services
Private water supply, private water treatment plant, propane gas heating.

Location

Leighs Lodge is located on the outskirts of Felsted, in a delightful corner of the countryside between Willows Green and Littley Green, and around 2 miles from Felsted.

Felsted provides local amenities including a village shop and post office. Holy Cross Church, The Swan Inn public house, a tea room and Rumblebees (a bookshop/music cafe) also serve the village. The area is well served by both state and private schools with a primary and pre-school at Felsted, together with the renowned Felsted School for boys and girls from age 4-18, recognised for its academic excellence. There are secondary schools at Dunmow, Notley and Chelmsford.

The property occupies a convenient location for the commuter, with several options available. The village is located just a short distance from the A120, a major road connecting it to nearby towns and cities such as Braintree and Chelmsford. This allows for easy commuting by car. For the commuter, the area benefits from its proximity to railway stations such as Braintree and Chelmsford, providing direct links to London Liverpool Street and other destinations across the region.

Square Footage: 5,306 sq ft


Acreage: 3.4 Acres

Directions

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