A beautifully presented country cottage with a substantial outbuilding in a glorious rural setting. No onward chain.

Description

A remarkable period-style house providing thoughtfully designed accommodation. The property is in a peaceful and accessible setting within a glorious part of north Essex. Oakwood House underwent a thorough programme of restoration and enlargement in 2004 and enjoys well balanced and light-filled accommodation with four first floor bedrooms and three reception rooms. The property has been beautifully finished with many of the rooms offering a wealth of light-coloured oak beams and characterful features, twinned with high quality fittings. There is hydro underfloor heating to the entire ground floor, with radiators to the first floor and electric underfloor heating to first floor bathroom and en suites.

The property commands a wonderful position within its plot, slightly set back from its country lane setting, with mature gardens totalling around 0.6 of an acre.

The house is accessed from the front opening to a welcoming reception hall with a tiled floor and bespoke oak panelling. Stairs lead to the first floor with storage below. The sitting room is a delightful space offering an impressive open fireplace, attractive oak ceiling beams and porcelain-tiled floor. There are bespoke wall lights and a feature square arch leading through to the remainder of the room which has French doors to the conservatory. To the far side of the house is the dining room, which is an atmospheric room with period features, again with a porcelain-tiled floor and an adjacent cloakroom. The kitchen/breakfast room is a wonderful space of open-plan design with a southerly aspect, overlooking the garden. There is a range of bespoke 'Schmidt' units and composite quartz worktops and a collection of integral ‘Neff’ appliances which include a 'slide and hide' oven, a dishwasher, an induction hob and an extractor, a larder fridge and an undercounter fridge. Beyond here, and accessed via glazed French doors is an impressive 'Amdega' conservatory which is perfect for entertaining and can also be accessed via the sitting room. There is also a useful utility room which includes an additional Neff combined oven/microwave and a water softener.

The first floor comprises a split-level landing with rooflights and a practical storage cupboard. The principal suite is situated on the south-westerly elevation and is a wonderful room with a part-vaulted ceiling and built-in wardrobes. There is an attractive en suite bathroom with shower enclosure. The guest suite is situated on the north-easterly elevation, also enjoying a part-vaulted ceiling and a spacious en suite.

To the rear of the property are two further generous bedrooms, orientated with views over open countryside. Both these rooms are served by a family bath/shower room.

Outside
Oakwood House is approached through a pair of electrically-operated five-bar gates, with retaining hedgerows. An attractive redbrick path, which is flanked by lawn and box hedging, leads to the front door with a covered porch of pitched roof deign. There is an extensive area of gravel parking to the front, offering a courtyard setting separating the house and outbuilding. The garden has been thoughtfully separated by terraces and herbaceous borders, which are stocked with a variety of flowers, shrubs and plants, providing all-year-round colour and enjoyment. The garden also enjoys a small orchard of fruit trees including cherry, crab apple and conference pear.

A short distance from the house is modern two-storey outbuilding providing a double garage, workshop and cloakroom, with first floor multi-purpose rooms offering a versatile space with a range of possibilities. The outbuilding is particularly impressive and offers exceptionally useful supplementary accommodation to the main house. A 63 amp power supply serves the building which comprises two separate garages with electric roller doors. To the side is a useful boot room which has a cloakroom. Stairs lead to a superb studio/workshop which could be utilised for variety of purposes. This is a particularly light space, with a triple-aspect and Velux roof lights.

A large sandstone terrace extends from the kitchen and conservatory making it ideal area for socialising and family entertaining. To the rear of the plot is a small paddock offering a wide variety of trees that include an Indian bean tree, silver birch, acers, and a ginkgo, set amongst a wonderful flower meadow. All in about 0.6 of an acre.

Location

Halstead: 1.6 miles, Sible Hedingham: 4.5 miles, Castle Hedingham: 4.6 miles, Sudbury Railway Station: 7.2 miles All distances approximate.

Oakwood House is situated in open countryside to the south of the village of Little Maplestead with panoramic views over open countryside. The area offers immense appeal, being on the Essex/Suffolk border, surrounded by quaint and traditional Essex villages. Historical landmarks include the round church at Little Maplestead, the ancient castle at Castle Hedingham and a little further afield are the splendid Suffolk villages of Lavenham and Long Melford.

The house occupies a country lane setting on the corner of Oak Road and Deans Hall Lane, providing nearby access to a network of footpaths over miles of delightful north Essex countryside.

Halstead, Castle Hedingham, Sible Hedingham and Sudbury (7.2 miles and offering a Waitrose supermarket) provide shopping, educational and recreational facilities and for the commuter there is access onto the A12 at Witham. There is a train service from Sudbury to London Liverpool Street (from about 1h 19m).

Square Footage: 2,340 sq ft


Acreage: 0.56 Acres

Directions

Take the A131 north towards Sudbury and take the first turning to the left into Oak Road signposted The Maplesteads. Continue along the road for about 0.7 of a mile and the property will be seen on the right-hand side, on the corner of Deans Hall Lane.

Postcode: CO9 2RT.

Additional Info

Services: Mains water, private drainage (compliant Conder CT12 sewage treatment system), oil-fired heating and electricity connected. The ground floor and bathrooms have underfloor heating. County broadband currently provides 600mb/ps, to the property.

Local authority: Braintree District Council. Council tax band = F.