Station Road, Earls Colne, Colchester, Essex, CO6

Exceptional Arts & Crafts country family home, set within mature, established gardens.

Description

Meadow Croft is an exceptional Arts & Crafts country family home, set within mature, established gardens at the end of a private drive. It is located to the north of Earls Colne village, in a delightful corner of North Essex, with far-reaching views towards Earls Colne Golf Course.

The property provides a fine example of Edwardian architecture, originally built in 1911 for Arthur Hunt; a prominent family, whose considerable business interests and prosperity were closely associated with Earls Colne. The family's success is reflected in the scale, craftsmanship and impressive specification of the original house, most notably in its 13 tall and elegant chimneys, which remain a distinctive feature of the property.

A comprehensive programme of restoration and improvement undertaken by the current owners has carefully respected this heritage while introducing a level of comfort and practicality suited to modern family life. As a result, a wealth of original architectural detail survives, including notably high ceilings, substantial oak detailing, heavy oak doors and a magnificent reception hall with oak panelling and an impressive fireplace.

Arranged over three floors, the accommodation offers considerable versatility and is particularly well suited to a large or multigenerational household. The layout would also lend itself exceptionally well to families requiring independent accommodation for an au pair, older children or extended family members.

A storm porch leads into the entrance hall and impressive reception hall, which forms the centre of the house. The hall retains several original features including heavy oak beams and panelling, an open fireplace and a wide sweeping staircase rising beside a stained-glass window.

The principal reception rooms include a well-proportioned drawing room, library with garden views and a further reception room, providing flexible family and entertainment space. A cloakroom and powder room complete the ground floor.

The recently created kitchen and family room combines bespoke cabinetry with a roof lantern and direct views and access towards the garden. It includes a butler’s pantry with serving hatch, together with a well-equipped utility room providing access to the side courtyard and storage areas.

The bedroom accommodation is arranged over the first and second floors, with several rooms enjoying views across the gardens and surrounding countryside. The principal bedroom has an en suite bathroom, while the second floor incorporates a self-contained two-bedroom apartment with its own sitting room and kitchen. This provides useful independent accommodation for an au pair, older children, extended family or guests. A separate hobby and crafts room is also located on this floor.

Meadow Croft is not a listed building, but it is recognised and recorded as a building of ‘local historical importance’ and lies within a conservation area.

Outside
Approached via a long private drive, Meadow Croft occupies approximately 2.8 acres of mature gardens and beautifully maintained lawns. The grounds include raised Tuscan-style Edwardian terraces, providing elevated views across the neighbouring paddocks towards the Colne Valley Golf Course beyond.

Services
Mains water and gas. Air-source heat pump, solar panels, private, modern drainage system.

Location

Meadow Croft is situated to the north of Earls Colne village, in a delightful part of North Essex, with views towards Earls Colne Golf Course. The village provides an active community and offers a Heritage Museum, a library and a busy village hall. There are many footpaths over the surrounding countryside and nearby Chalkney Wood. There are two golf courses, several pubs and restaurants and a selection of shops.

Colchester offers a more comprehensive shopping centre, excellent recreational facilities and a good choice of private schools including Gosfield, Holmwood House Prep School at Lexden, Colchester Royal Grammar School and Colchester County High School for Girls.

Earls Colne has a primary and nursery school and there is also a GP surgery. To the south is the nearby village of Coggeshall, a picturesque medieval market town which provides both primary and secondary education, including Honywood School, and an array of shops, pubs and restaurants.

For the commuter the property is situated within easy reach of Kelvedon, Marks Tey and Wakes Colne & Chappel train stations providing frequent links to London Liverpool Street station. By road there is excellent access to the A120 linking the A12 to the north and M11 to the south. Stansted Airport is approximately 27 miles away.

Square Footage: 5,908 sq ft


Acreage: 2.8 Acres

Directions

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