The Great Barn

The Great Barn is an outstanding aisled building, which was converted approximately ten years ago by a specialist local builder using the finest quality materials available throughout such as handmade solid oak doors and windows, and an impressive solid oak cantilevered staircase. The layout of the property is arranged in a way that would readily allow a new owner to incorporate an integral annexe, further adding to the exceptionally versatile accommodation. The property enjoys a superb rural location, and is accessed via a private tree lined drive with imposing electrically operated gates. The property effectively forms a private mini estate with formal gardens, terraces, pasture, a lake and a range of outbuildings.

The property is entered via a vaulted full height foyer which has herringbone brick flooring, and a fully glazed entrance with a glazed solid oak door. The reception hall is truly stunning and runs from the front of the barn to the rear, with a further full height glazed foyer, which has matching herringbone brick flooring and gives access and views to the terrace and gardens. The ceiling is fully vaulted displaying a magnificent oak frame, and the semi-open plan ground floor has under floor heating throughout with a polished concrete floor, and the solid oak cantilevered stairs provide a central focal point, and have open treads with glass side panels which give a contemporary feel.

The open plan kitchen/living area is well-suited to a range of modern lifestyles and takes full advantage of the huge space that the barn offers with its fully vaulted ceiling. The living area has an impressive 'Invicta' French wood burner which sits on a granite plinth, and has a steel reflector plate to the rear which further enhances its position in the room. The kitchen is situated on the southerly aspect and has a row of glazed apertures between the upright beams, and is extensively fitted with flush front grey units with granite worktops. There is a full range of integral 'Siemens' appliances which include a fridge, freezer, conventional oven, steam oven, microwave and dishwasher, along with an induction hob and extractor, adjacent to which is a 'Miele' charcoal grill. In addition, there is a filtered hot water tap and twin bowl sinks. This living area is perfectly suited for large scale family entertaining, and provides the ideal space for those seeking a relaxed rural lifestyle.

The dining area is slightly more formal, and is situated beneath the impressive first floor mezzanine, and provides a social environment for large gatherings. Adjacent to this is a spacious study/office which has a vaulted ceiling with a fine oak frame on display and takes in wonderful views to the grounds. A spacious utility room is fully fitted with bespoke solid oak storage units flanking a plumbed in fridge freezer, and has a range of other units with granite tops, and there is a glazed door which accesses the rear terrace. Opposite is a well-appointed cloakroom and a large plant room which is shelved for storage.

The oak staircase rises to a wonderful first floor sitting room which is vaulted to the ridge and has a stunning oak frame on display, along with the glazed balustrade overlooking the living area beneath. It is fully glazed to the westerly aspect and has glorious views to the grounds, and benefits from two large eaves storage cupboards.

The principal suite is situated on the ground floor beneath the sitting room and is particularly grand and impressive, it has a complete range of floor to ceiling wardrobes on one side, is glazed on the westerly aspect with a French door accessing the terrace and it has a large ceiling fan. There are two separate en-suites, one a fully tiled shower room with a part vaulted ceiling, and the other a bathroom with attractive marble tiling to the walls and floor, and a large vanity unit with ample storage.

The remainder of the accommodation is essentially on one level, and is situated on the easterly aspect beyond the open plan living area, and could readily be annexed if desired. There is an attractive inner hall with stone flooring which is glazed to the north and overlooks the courtyard, and has a large walk in in pantry/storage cupboard. There is a second kitchen/breakfast room with a stone floor, and a range of shaker style floor and wall mounted units with a twin bowl sink, 'Mareno' industrial cooking range, 'Siemens' fridge and freezer and plumbing for a washing machine. A set of French doors access the terrace making this a perfect arrangement for parties and entertaining. Along the hall is a spacious family room, which could readily be utilised as a fifth bedroom if desired, and it has French doors to the terrace with views to the grounds. Adjacent to this is a lavishly appointed fully tiled family bathroom with a matching white suite.

The remaining three bedrooms are all situated in a separate wing and overlook both the courtyard via a glazed wall with French doors, and the grounds to the easterly aspect via French doors in the bedrooms. The bedrooms all have high level widows to the hall giving extra borrowed light, part vaulted ceilings, and two of them have built in wardrobes. Each bedroom has en-suite facilities, two with a shower and one with a bath, they are all fitted in a contemporary style with modern finishes.

Outside

The property is approached via a pair of substantial and decorative electrically operated hard wood gates hung on oak posts, beyond which are two avenues of lime trees set within large expanses of lawn, with mature mixed hedging to the sides. The drive enters a large courtyard to the front of the barn providing extensive parking, with a 4-bay cart lodge and adjoining two bay workshop to the northerly aspect. To the south is an imposing nine feet wall of mellow red brick constructed in an 'English garden wall bond', which has an arched solid oak door through to the west facing terrace. On the easterly aspect is a five-bar gate which leads to a log store and machinery store, with the rear garden beyond. The machinery store houses an bunded diesel tank with electric pump, which the current owners use to supply their machinery.

To the rear of the barn is a stunning south and west facing terrace which is perfect for large scale entertaining. There is an ornate oak pergola accessed from the rear foyer with wisteria plants, flanked by raised brick planters with lavender, and this frames the view to the grounds beyond. The terrace has attractive drop curved walls to the rear and there are an abundance of densely stocked borders that boast a variety of shrubs, climbing roses and jasmine which provide year round colour and interest. To the easterly aspect of the terrace is a large gravel garden with grasses and ornamental trees which provide a back drop.

Beyond the terrace are large areas of manicured lawn with clumps of silver birch, and a line of ash trees provide a sense of formality. A curved granite path leads to the studio/home office, which has a gravel terrace, and to the rear a number of raised vegetable beds. To the south of here is a grass swathe lined with clipped box bushes which leads to the lake. This is a delightful feature of the property, with a central island and a fringe of trees to its edges, a boat house is equipped with power and running water forming a serene seating area.

Beyond, and to the side of the lake is a large paddock with mature hedge screens, a number of native specimen trees located throughout, and a row of poplars to the easterly boundary.

In all about 11.35 acres (sts).
 

FOYER 14' 9" x 9' 4" (4.50m x 2.85m)  

RECEPTION HALL 31' 2" x 14' 9" (9.50m x 4.50m)  

REAR FOYER 14' 6" x 5' 8" (4.42m x 1.75m)  

OPEN PLAN KITCHEN/LIVING AREA 31' 9" x 22' 0" (9.70m x 6.73m)  

DINING AREA 20' 11" x 9' 6" (6.40m x 2.90m)  

UTILITY ROOM 9' 6" x 9' 6" (2.90m x 2.90m)  

PLANT ROOM 8' 8" x 4' 11" (2.65m x 1.50m)  

CLOAKROOM  

OFFICE 20' 8" x 9' 10" (6.30m x 3.00m)  

SITTING ROOM 32' 1" x 20' 8" (9.80m x 6.30m)  

PRINCIPAL BEDROOM 20' 3" x 17' 4" (6.18m x 5.30m)  

ENSUITE BATHROOM 9' 10" x 8' 8" (3.00m x 2.65m)  

ENSUITE SHOWER ROOM 9' 2" x 8' 4" (2.80m x 2.56m)  

INNER HALL 32' 1" x 3' 7" (9.80m x 1.10m)  

KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM 16' 4" x 12' 5" (5.00m x 3.80m)  

FAMILY ROOM/BEDROOM 5 22' 11" x 17' 10" (7.00m x 5.45m)  

BATHROOM 9' 8" x 6' 6" (2.95m x 2.00m)  

REAR HALL 35' 1" x 4' 7" (10.70m x 1.40m)  

BEDROOM 2 16' 8" x 10' 5" (5.10m x 3.20m)  

ENSUITE 9' 2" x 5' 6" (2.80m x 1.70m)  

BEDROOM 3 17' 3" x 10' 5" (5.26m x 3.20m)  

ENSUITE  

BEDROOM 4 17' 8" x 10' 5" (5.40m x 3.20m)  

ENSUITE  

4 BAY CART LODGE 33' 9" x 14' 3" (10.30m x 4.35m)  

WORKSHOP 16' 8" x 14' 3" (5.10m x 4.35m)  

MACHINERY SHED 13' 3" x 13' 1" (4.05m x 4.00m)  

STUDIO/HOME OFFICE 27' 6" x 11' 5" (8.40m x 3.50m)  

LOG STORE 15' 5" x 9' 6" (4.70m x 2.90m)

Marketed by: David Burr Estate Agents, Castle Hedingham