Enchanting riverside house with spectacular gardens.

Description

Occupying an enchanting and incredibly special position on the banks of the River Stour, Strandlands is an attractive, principally Victorian house within about 3.5 acres of spectacular grounds and with about 500 metres of foreshore.

Believed to date from the 1880s, the handsome, red brick building has been superbly restored and expanded to create a stunning family home, comprising elegantly proportioned, light filled rooms, balancing period charm with comfortable contemporary living.

The front door opens on to a useful porch, which ingeniously houses boot storage, fridge, freezer and tumble drier. Beyond the porch is a hall, which in turn leads to the sitting room, kitchen/ breakfast room and a lavatory.

The charming, triple aspect kitchen/breakfast room has hand-built wooden cupboards, a Lacanche stove and a double sink overlooking the river.

With windows overlooking the courtyard to the south and formal fish pond to the east, the sitting room is a fabulous, bright space with a wood burning stove and a wooden floor, which flows through to the sophisticated, double aspect study.

The first floor consists of three double bedrooms and the family bathroom. The double aspect principal bedroom has an en suite shower room and glazed sliding doors leading to a balcony with exceptional river views.

Outside
Strandlands is set within about six acres of beautiful grounds, divided into enchanting zones, including a formal courtyard and pond, the "Madison Garden", a secret "Moon Garden", a kitchen garden and various grassland meadows.

The gardens are planted with an array of native trees and shrubs, including Scots Pine, silver birch and small leaved lime Within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the garden has been designed in a manner concordant with the surrounding countryside.

Strandlands offers an array of outbuildings, including a double garage with a first floor studio, an office, summer house and various stores. Within a sheltered woodland is a covered seating area affectionately known as the "Bus Shelter"; overlooking the shore is a wooden bird hide.

A long gravel drive leads to the house, with a large parking area for numerous cars.

Location

On the banks the River Stour and bordered by Stour Woods, Strandlands occupies a superb position, within the Suffolk Coasts and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, on the edge of Wrabness.

Capturing the imaginations of artists throughout the centuries and particularly associated with John Constable, the River Stour provides the natural border between Suffolk and Essex.

Maintained by the Essex Wildlife Trust, Wrabness Nature Reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and habitat to an array of bird species and wildlife, including Turtle Doves, Nightingales and Barn Owls.

Wrabness is a small village in North Essex, with a beautiful 12th century church, the Grayson Perry designed 'The House of Essex’ and a community shop, with a café and pub evenings. Wrabness Railway Station (0.75 miles) provide regular trains to London Liverpool Street via Manningtree from 74 minutes.

Strandlands is well placed for the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Constable Country, which is home to a number of particularly pretty villages. Dedham (10 miles) has a number or highly acclaimed restaurants, including the Talbooth and The Sun Inn, which are both included in The Good Food Guide.

Colchester (14 miles), considered Britain’s oldest town, was granted city status in 2022. It offers a wealth of cultural amenities including theatres, galleries and museums; Colchester Castle is an impressive Norman Keep, built on the foundations of a Roman Temple of Claudius and now a popular museum. The city offers a great selection of commercial and shopping facilities and myriad restaurants and public houses.

Local sporting facilities are fantastic: superb sailing is available on the River Stour and River Orwell; rugby and cricket clubs at Harwich and Mistley; and numerous golf clubs, including Harwich & Dovercourt, Rushmere and Ipswich.

There are excellent schools in the area, in both the state and independent sectors, including. the popular Wix & Wrabness Primary School, The Royal Hospital School, Ipswich High School, Orwell Park School and Ipswich School.

All times and distances are approximate.

Square Footage: 2,697 sq ft


Acreage: 3.75 Acres

Directions

From the corner of Rectory Road, follow the private road signposted "Leading to Woodcutters Cottage and Strandlands"; continue for half a mile on the track, through Stour Wood down to the river.

Additional Info

Services: Mains water; private electricity and drainage; oil-fired central heating.

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Local Authority: Tendring

Agent Note: there is a public footpath beyond the bottom of the garden and before the foreshore. The footpath in fenced on both sides.