5 bedroom house

General information An impressive Grade II listed family house set in established grounds of about 8.77 acres (sts) in the picturesque and popular village of Messing, now requiring refurbishment and with excellent onward potential.

Bouchiers Hall is a Grade II listed period property beautifully set within established grounds with a wonderful approach along a long driveway. Believed to date back to the 1400s, the property is of timber frame construction with plastered elevations under a clay peg tiled roof, with a gabled and jettied wing and a moulded bressummer. It is fair to say this impressive and comfortable home now requires renovation/extending (stp) and offers excellent onward potential to create a magnificent home in possibly the best setting in the centre of sought-after Messing.

The property would have been re-fronted in the Georgian era to incorporate some sash windows and a traditional front door that opens into an entrance hall. This leads into a central reception hall/study area with a fireplace and glazed double doors onto the garden. The drawing room, which has a lovely outlook over the grounds to the front, incorporates a Georgian display cabinet as well as a later open fireplace. The cosy sitting room has heavy exposed ceiling timbers and a fireplace, whilst the dining room has elegant Georgian features including an attractive fireplace. The kitchen/breakfast/family room has an adjoining pantry, utility and boot hall leading onto an alfresco dining area which overlooks a small lake. The ground floor accommodation is completed by a cloakroom and an inner hall with a magnificent staircase. The cellar can be accessed below the staircase but this entrance is currently sealed.

On the first floor there is a central landing, a laundry cupboard, 5 bedrooms and a family bathroom. Four of the five bedrooms are accessed via the central landing, whilst the fifth bedroom is reached through the master bedroom or, alternatively, via a secondary staircase. 

History Bouchiers Hall not only offers a rare opportunity to create a stunning family home in glorious grounds, it also has interesting associations. It is currently owned by the famous jump jockey, Simon Sherwood, best known for his nine out of ten victories on the legendary racehorse, Desert Orchard, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1989 which was subsequently voted the "best horse race ever" by readers of the Racing Post.

The property also has associations with two American presidents. The village was the birthplace of Reynold Bush who left Plymouth in 1632 for Massachusetts and went on to found a dynasty that today lays claim to a significant period in the history of The White House. In 1989, in recognition of his family's link with Messing, Mr Bush sent the village a stars and stripes that had flown over the Capitol. The flag is now kept in the church which is at the end of the long drive for Bouchiers Hall.
 

The outside The grounds of about 8.77 acres (3.55 hectares) form an important feature.  The property is approached up a long driveway with a traditional range of cartlodges providing 5 open-bays.  The driveway continues across an expanse of lawn interspersed and bordered by mature trees including oak and horse chestnut.  Towards the top of the drive is a small yard with a traditional stable/small barn plus further open-bay cartlodges - this area could be converted for garaging or for equestrian purposes especially as the grassed area directly opposite would serve well as a paddock.  The formal front garden is defined by hedging and incorporates an in-and-out driveway.  To the east is a beautiful small boating lake surrounded by a fine selection of trees whilst, to the west of the property, is an enclosed swimming pool area which now requires refurbishment.  There is a south facing garden to the rear of the house enclosed by trees and established herbaceous borders with a variety of roses.  Beyond is an expanse of meadowland (about 5.58 acres/2.56 hectares) which could be fenced and sub-divided to provide a number of paddocks.  There is an additional entrance to the property to the east from Harborough Hall Road - this is wide enough for pedestrian and equestrian use, hence is convenient for hacking out.
 

Location Messing is a popular village with a picturesque centre featuring All Saints Church and The Old Crown bistro pub which incorporates a small village shop; there is also a primary school. Tiptree is about 1 mile, Chelmsford is about 15 miles and Colchester about 8 miles with its good selection of schools including award-winning grammar schools as well as a mainline station. For commuters, the nearest station is in neighbouring Kelvedon with trains to London Liverpool Street taking about 45 minutes. Stansted airport is about a 40 minute drive.
 

Important information Council Tax Band - tbc
EPC rating - Exempt
Services - We understand that mains water, drainage and electricity are connected to the property. There is oil-fired central heating. Tenure - Freehold
 

Agents note A public footpath briefly crosses the grounds close to the beginning of the driveway. This is a good distance away from the house and does not impact on the privacy of the property.

Marketed by: Fenn Wright, Witham