8 Bed Country House For Sale Tofts Chase, Chelmsford, CM3

A Splendid 8 Bedroom Listed Country House commanding an elevated position with unspoiled views. In all 17.7 Acres.

What We Say at The Zoe Napier Group

This architecturally splendid country home should tick a lot of boxes from its elevated setting with a long entrance drive, the stunning views which reach for miles together with the prime address of Little Baddow. The property has substantial acreage to enjoy leisure and lifestyle facilities, including the potential to develop further equestrian facilities (stp) if required.

What the Owners Say

We have enjoyed 25 years at this wonderful property raising our four, now adult, children. We will have had three daughters’ marquee weddings on the lawns here and the setting is just idyllic. Horse riders box up to this area because the riding is so scenic covering common land, woodland, and a great network of bridlepaths. We will be sad to leave but it’s time to right size.

History & Background

This splendid Grade II Listed 8-bedroom country house commanding an elevated position with unspoiled, far-reaching views. The property is approached via a long private avenue drive where the house offers instant architecturally stunning elevations surrounded by mature grounds and grazing land to the fore which runs down to the Bluebell woods.

The property has been in the same ownership for 25 years, having been well maintained whilst offering various sympathetic improvements. These include the new entrance avenue drive and a beautiful Orangery which overlooks the outdoor south-facing pool terraces where there are also fixed gazebos for alfresco dining and an attractive veranda with automatic blind leading off from the kitchen. The interior has retained much of its classic character, such as original window shutters, fireplaces, and ornate plasterwork, combined with modern-day living that includes a quality Mark Wilkinson kitchen with an AGA oven.

The property dates back to 1815 in the main with earlier origins where the registered listing mentions ‘An early C19 grey gault brick house. 3 storeys with 3 window range. A central Tuscan porch projects on the west front with plain columns’. Interestingly the rear of the house could date back to the Tudor period with a peg-tiled roof and some exposed beams. Internally is an elegant fine spindled sweeping staircase with upper galleries on both the first and second floors, further enhanced by a stunning glass cupola (like an atrium). What is evidently notable is that all of the eight bedrooms are large double rooms with no eave’s restrictions on the top floor. The property is remarkable and offers great scope outside to add to the equestrian facilities (stp), currently providing three stables.

Setting & Location

The property is situated in Tofts Chase, listed as a quiet lane that lies in an elevated position about ½ a mile’s walk down through a picturesque footpath to Paper Mill Lock where there is a tearoom, the lock, and barges. The surrounding countryside and historic woodlands provide immediate bridleway access across to areas of SSSI (special scientific interest) such as Lingwood Common, and Heather Hills. The area is fabulous for hacking and country walks with three country pubs within walking distance.

Little Baddow is a highly sought-after location, approximately 7 miles east of Chelmsford City Centre and close to Danbury village. The area provides a country escape, yet is so accessible for the A12, Chelmsford City’s Park & Ride at Sandon, Queen Elizabeth Line at Shenfield and for educational needs. The nearest private school is Elm Green, Little Baddow where one of the school-house’s is named after Tofts. Chelmsford City has excellent Grammar and High School education and there is also New Hall School at Boreham and Felsted School is a little further, just 13 miles away. The A12 (Sandon or Boreham junctions) further provides great access for Brentwood and Colchester.

The house is well placed, away from its country quiet lane setting. The leisure facilities lie on the south side of the house and to the front (west) the far-reaching views embrace the glorious sunsets and pink skies.

Ground Floor Accommodation

The Tuscan-style portico leads to an entrance vestibule with access to the beautiful entrance hall which features wooden floorboards. The vast ceiling heights are classic for a property of this nature featuring much of the original plasterwork cornice and arches. The main feature is the stunning sweeping staircase offering a smooth curvature up to the first and second-floor galleried landings where the pinnacle reaches the glass roof cupola. The property has extensive storage space including steps that lead down to a useful cellar, naturally cool for wine storage. There are five reception rooms ranging from the elegant dual aspect drawing room with its deep bay incorporating French doors, finished with the original working window shutters, ornate cornice, and an open fireplace. The formal dining room is well proportioned, currently doubling as a billiard room which converts to a dining table when needed. Steps lead down to the snug where there is an exposed brick chimney breast housing the log burner, oak flooring, and access through for the kitchen. Beyond is the wonderful orangery with underfloor heating and doors leading out to the poolside and alfresco terraces. Access leads through to the office and a ground floor w.c. The kitchen Breakfast room is fitted in luxury Mark Wilkinson bespoke units, finished with granite working surfaces and featuring a traditional AGA oven. The room allows space for a breakfast table, with plenty of storage, a large island, and bespoke pantry cupboards. Appliances include a Sub-Zero refrigeration unit with separate drawers beneath as well as other built-in appliances. A large window with window seating overlooks the paddocks and French doors lead out to the suntrap terrace where there is veranda with an automatic blind. To the rear of the property is a spacious utility room with a butler sink, fitted storage units, and external access for the garaging.

First Floor Accommodation

The sweeping staircase rises to a spacious first-floor galleried landing with a view to the upper gallery and glass roof cupola which sheds immense light over the landings. The first floor also enjoys classic high ceilings where there are four large double bedrooms. These include the main four-poster suite with a walk-in fitted dressing room and separate period-style en-suite. The room further enjoys a deep bay window and far-reaching views. To the rear elevation, within the Tudor part of the property, is a delightful twin room/teenage suite that provides a bedroom area and sitting room area with exposed timbers and exposed brick detail - as well as access to a ‘Jack & Jill’ en-suite. The fourth double bedroom also has an en-suite. Most of the rooms are dual or triple aspect and the views, especially across to the west are spectacular.

Second/Top Floor Accommodation

The top floor has a wonderful galleried landing. This floor has lower (standard) ceiling heights providing four further double bedrooms, some with spectacular views, and a family/main bathroom. There are suitable areas to create en-suite facilities, if required and an access door leads to a substantial roof space with a wooden ladder providing access to the flat roof area where the glass cupola can be maintained.

Grounds

The property is approached via a long private avenue drive with attractive park fencing leading up to the front carriage-style drive and further vehicle access leads to the rear where there is additional parking and access to the quadruple-size cart lodge/garage building (ideal for three cars and sports equipment.  Formal gardens fall to the north side where there is a natural duck pond with bullrushes and resident mallards. On the south side of the house are the leisure facilities with extensive terrace areas, a hexagonal summer house adjacent to the hot tub area which has a wonderful pergola above covered in a grapevine – a true Mediterranean feel while relaxing beneath the grapes. The outdoor heated pool has an automatic safety cover with space for surrounding seating. This adjoins the area for al-fresco dining where there is a fixed timber gazebo, a kitchen garden area, and an open veranda off from the kitchen which has an automatic cover. The area is just perfect for summer days and entertaining whilst facing extensive lawns which feature four mature oaks providing natural shade for seating areas. Along with mains water for the house, the property benefits from having a natural spring that provides the hose water to all outside facilities and could be utilised for an irrigation system, if required.

Grazing & Equestrian Facilities

Around 13 acres form the grazing land which naturally slopes down to the private area of woodland. The land is therefore well-drained, providing lush grazing and there is a double field shelter on skids to remain. The stable block is an L shape with an enclosed concrete yard. There are three standard loose boxes and a larger corner box currently used for the feed/rug store. Immediate access leads onto a bridlepath and beyond for access to scenic common land and woodland.

Agents Notes

• There are two title deeds that form the sale EX608318 (House) EX699054 (Land) There is a covenant on this title. Please request details of the titles which also contain some historic and factual information.
• The septic tank drainage is located (with easements) on the neighbouring property. It will require updating with a new, compliant facility. This has already been considered when setting the guide price.
• There is a public footpath crossing part of the paddock land.
• Local Authority Chelmsford – Tax Band H
• JSA Savills & The Zoe Napier Group

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