7 bedroom detached house for sale

An exceptional seven bedroom, three storey Victorian villa set in a prominent position at the heart of Lexden occupying stunning grounds approaching 0.7 acres. 4910 sqft

Restored and refined to a very high standard, this family home, sold only twice in its history since 1901, enjoys southerly views over its extensive mature gardens.

Enjoying a prime position in old Lexden in the heart of Colchester, and walking distance to the shops, schools, railway stations, and nature reserves of Hilly Fields
and Lexden Park.

Stanmore House is a quite exceptional Victorian town property that has now been adapted and stunningly improved by the current owners. The result is a traditional period home now entirely fit for present day living, full of refinements not often found in similar properties. The approach is via a large entrance gate and through a portico front porch with four panel front door with light over leads into the entrance. Reception hall with the original arts and crafts staircase leading to the upstairs and Victorian encaustic tiled floor and wood panelling create a gracious and warm welcome.

At the centre of the ground floor accommodation is the kitchen-dining-family room with engineered wood floor and a bespoke fully fitted ‘Plain English’ style kitchen, with built-in wall and floor units including double bowl sink, dishwasher, induction hob double oven and space for fridge/freezer. The room features stunning windows and two sets of double French doors which open onto the south facing terrace and gardens. There is a separate utility room with a double white ceramic butlers sink and traditional ‘Sheila maid’ above leading to the garden and also a separate pantry with original tiled floor. Beneath the staircase is access to the cellar.

The two ground floor reception rooms are elegant and refined with period features throughout. The drawing room benefits from a double aspect, with large deep bay window at one end, and glass double doors into the family room at the other with views through to the garden. A white marble Victorian fireplace is flanked by bookcases and cupboards on either side and original six lantern chandeliers adorn the ceilings. The sitting room houses a beautiful arts and crafts wooden fireplace with gas wood burner, and a large deep bay window.

The first-floor accommodation comprises the principal bedroom suite with dressing room and en suite shower room. A door with Juliet balcony overlooks the south facing gardens in the dressing room, and a large deep bay window sits at the front of the bedroom. The second bedroom also has an en suite shower room and has a large deep bay window. The third large well-proportioned bedroom has two large sash windows overlooking the gardens and sits opposite the family bathroom, with bath and overhead shower and separate WC.

The spacious landing at the head of the elegant original staircase turns with a window overlooking the gardens and a smaller set of arts and crafts stairs leading to the third floor. Here there are two further attractive double bedrooms with windows to the south facing garden and to the east, both boasting period fireplaces. An elegant study also is on the third floor and there is a separate WC.

There is ample space to park and turn on the driveway which is entered via high double gates. These together with the high beech hedge surrounding the property offers seclusion from the Lexden Road. The good-sized double garage sits alongside the front garden with round raised flower bed and log store. The driveway leads through a further set of double gates at the side of the house where the original cartlodge at the rear of has been converted to a wonderful gym/cinema/recreational room with double doors onto the garden.

The gardens at the back are all directly south facing and there is a small ‘infant’ orchard with woodland garden furthest from the house. Here there is a stunning brick glass conservatory/greenhouse converted to be a garden room with covered terrace with halogen heating inside and out with small herb garden behind.

The main expanse of the garden is set within mature topiary, shrubs and wonderful old trees with a rolling expanse of lawn. At the side of the house west facing on the terrace, there is a hot tub. Tucked behind the shrubs and behind the cart lodge is a useful garden shed for the lawnmower and equipment.

Colchester is a thriving ‘new’ city set in North Essex, bordering Suffolk which is only a few miles away. The town boasts nationally acclaimed Grammar schools, fast and speedy links to London in less than an hour, and a thriving town centre, as well as first class out of town retail centres. The lovely Colne valley is within 15 minutes’ drive of the centre, and the pink towns of Suffolk are a mere twenty minutes’ drive from the town. Mersea Island, Brightlingsea, and Frinton, all stunning coastal destinations are within half an hour’s drive of the town, and Suffolk’s resorts of Aldeburgh and Southwold within an hour.

Colchester Town Centre with shops and restaurants – walking distance

Schools
- Colchester Royal Grammar School, Colchester Girls High, St Mary’s, Philip Morant, St Benedicts, Oxford House, Colchester High School, Hamilton Road Primary, Prettygate Primary – all walking distance.
- Holmwood House - 0.5 miles
- Bus stop to Ipswich school, Gosfield, Royal Hospital, St Joseph’s College and Ipswich School - all leave from within 0.5 of a mile from the house

Colchester North and Town Stations – 1.2 miles (London Liverpool Street 50 mins)

Mercury Theatre and cinemas – walking distance

Hilly Fields Nature Reserve – walking distance

Lexden Park Nature Reserve – walking distance