Highly appointed house in an outstanding location adjoining Blakes Wood in about 4.7 acres.

Description

The house occupies a special location adjacent to Blakes Wood, an ancient woodland spanning about 100 acres. The accommodation is light and airy, designed to take advantage of its unique location, with deep windows framing views of all aspects over the grounds. Constructed with sustainability and lower running costs in mind, one of its special features is the ground source heating.

The house was built for the current owners about ten years ago. A great deal of emphasis was placed on sourcing high-quality materials exemplified by commissioning Charles York for much of the cabinetry, wood work and the handcrafted kitchen. A storm porch shelters the entrance door, opening into a large hallway which features a bespoke staircase, doors and architrave. Double doors, at the rear, frame lovely garden views and access to a terrace.

A cloakroom includes a bespoke hand basin which creates a lovely feature. There are two reception rooms to the front and rear of the house; at the rear, overlooking the gardens, is a well-proportioned sitting room with dual aspect windows providing a good deal of natural light, whilst a fireplace and wood styled flooring provide contrasting features. At the front is the home office fitted with bespoke furniture, and the dining room with dual windows, overlook the wonderful courtyard.

Taking centre stage within this wonderful home is a bespoke fitted Charles York kitchen. Featuring solid wood cabinetry, both hand-painted and with contrasting wood finish. With integrated appliances anchored around a centerpiece island with breakfast bar, wine fridge, oven and hob. The room is open to a family casual dining area with full-height folding glass doors framing views of the formal gardens and opening onto a sheltered terrace. A lobby providing secondary external access, links the orangery a delightful room overlooking the gardens.

Stairs from the hall lead down to the basement rooms including a fitted laundry room, plant room, seasonal wardrobe and a soundproof home cinema.

A beautifully designed oak staircase rises to the first floor landing. The south wing is designed as a principle bedroom suite, with air conditioning, ensuite shower room and dressing room with a walk-in wardrobe or fifth bedroom. On the opposite side of the house are three further bedrooms with ensuite shower room and separate shower room serving the remaining bedrooms.

Outside
Colam Lane is a beautiful, leafy road with discreet drives leading to large houses. There is also footpath access for walkers accessing Blakes Wood and Lingwood Common. Woodways is approached over a long drive, serving Woodways and one other property. The site is bordered to the south by Blakes Wood along the entirety of the plot with access from the garden to a footpath. This footpath also leads to Elm Green School and the Generals Arms pub.

A spur from the drive passes through double gates set on brick piers continuing through the grounds to a substantial parking area in front of the house. The courtyard to the front is finished in cobbled stone and edged with evergreen shrub beds. A detached garage block comprises a double garage with electric charging point and a 3 phase supply, adjacent is a gym, sauna and hot tub. Behind is a gardeners W/c and generator.

At the rear of the house are the formal landscaped gardens overlooked by an elevated wrap around terrace and a covered veranda with steps down to a further terrace. Adjacent is a graveled area, including a sunken water feature which provides symmetry and a focal point. Neighbouring the orangery is a circular stone area, centrally planted with a rose garden. The remainder of the grounds lie to the south and west, laid to grass, with a pond and wild meadow.

In all about 4.7 acres.

Services
Mains water, electricity, ground source heating, modern private drainage, water harvesting irrigation tank. Backup generator. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system and underfloor heating.

Location

Danbury 2 miles, Sandon Park and Ride 3.6 miles, Hatfield Peverel 4.4 miles (railway service to London), Chelmsford City 5.8 miles (railway service to London). All distances approximate.

Woodways sits in a secluded position approached over a 200m shared private drive off Colam Lane, arguably one of the best locations in the village of Little Baddow, at the heart of the Chelmer Valley. This is a picturesque conservation area surrounded by a wealth of National Trust heathland and woodland.

Little Baddow itself is a desirable village with two public houses (The Generals Arms and The Rodney), a very highly regarded preparatory school (Elm Green), a village hall, two long-established churches and its own sports ground with clubhouse, which is home to a local cricket club in the summer months.

The village lies just north of Danbury and its range of local shops, amenities and schools (including Heathcote Preparatory School and Nursery). There is good road access to the Sandon Park and Ride for direct bus routes into Chelmsford city centre and beyond.

The village of Hatfield Peverel (about 4.4 miles away) is also on the main line and offers commuters an alternative choice of station.

To the south, Shenfield and Brentwood have Elizabeth Line railway services. Woodways is only about 6 miles due east of the City of Chelmsford, which provides an excellent choice of facilities including a bustling shopping centre, and Bond Street (including John Lewis and a selection of restaurants), two grammar schools (KEGS and CCHS), a railway station on the main line into London Liverpool Street and access onto the A12.

The area is crossed with footpaths and bridleways linking the National Trust woodland and heathlands, within the surrounding countryside.

Square Footage: 3,720 sq ft


Acreage: 4.7 Acres

Directions

Take the A414 towards Danbury, proceed over the A12 and continue up Bell Hill into Danbury village. In
the centre of the village turn left at Eves Corner roundabout towards Little Baddow and after about 1.5 miles (after passing The Generals Arms on your left), turn left into Colam Lane. Continue along the lane for about 0.35 miles and the entrance into Woodways will be seen on the left-hand side opposite a public footpath sign.

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