Property description
A Counting House fit for a King
This stunning Grade II Listed property, once a Tudor counting house, is a feast for the eyes. Incredibly bright and airy and with lovely high ceilings, it comprises six en-suite bedrooms, five receptions, plus a guest suite. Set in the heart of this glorious ‘chocolate box’ village, voted one of the top ten places to live in the East of England by the Sunday Times, it is described by the owner as, “The perfect family home; not at all dark and dingy as you might expect, but blessed with light, well-proportioned rooms, and full of original features.” The grounds are equal in measure, and havemade for a wonderful place for the owners’ five children to grow up in. Complete with natural swimming pond, tennis court, sunny terrace, stables and paddock totalling 2.75 acres in all, this would be a dream home for any child to enjoy.
A Home of Dreams
The current owners have loved this property for 22 years now but still remember the time that they first came to view. Having deliberated for 6 months before finally agreeing to view it, going against their pre-conceived ideas of a gloomy house with low ceilings, they were so surprised when they finally made it to the property. As we hear, “The minute that we opened the front door, we knew that we had totally mis-judged this place; we fell in love with it straightaway. It’s an astonishing family home and has to be seen to be appreciated.” Having stepped over the threshold, the list of their requirements was steadily ticked off as they walked round the property, which continued to go up in their estimation as a result. “Every box was ticked. We loved the fact that all the bedrooms are of good size, and each has its own bathroom; and as for the ground floor receptions, we just couldn’t believe how stunning they were. They truly are overwhelmingly beautiful.” To the left of the hallway you discover the drawing room, which is so perfect in every way that it is hard to conceive that it was designed several hundred years ago, “This property was built in 1483 as a counting house, and it would have been in the drawing room that this activity took place.”Stretching the depth of the property, it benefits from the light throughout the day, and whilst it looks out on to the street, is a wonderfully quiet and private space. “Discreet stained glass windows allow the light in from the street, and as you can imagine, the room is bathed in light thanks to the lovely French doors and windows above and on either side that lead out on to the terrace. Your eyes are drawn to the outdoors from the moment you step into the room.” The ceiling cannot help but catch your eye too, with its mix of exposed beams and plasterwork, as does the fireplace surrounded by oak panelling, ‘the perfect backdrop to a family Christmas’.
A House for all Seasons
And where better to have your Christmas meal, or indeed a relaxed family lunch than in the dining room, off to the right of the hallway and similar in style; tastefully decorated in a rich cream with a lovely gilt garland framed by a broad arched entrance, “This is a really sumptuous room, and it looks resplendent when laid for dinner. It’s a great place to enjoy a lazy Sunday lunch with family and friends.”
Needless to say, that on such occasions prior to the meal being served, you are going to find everyone in the lovely, country style kitchen at the rear of the property, and a favourite place for the owner, “I love the kitchen. Everyone gravitates to the Aga so you are never going to be alone! It’s a great family area, and we’ve spent hours around the breakfast room table, over lazy breakfasts and lunches. What wasso great when we had younger children was the ease of access to the garden, and in the summer we have the French doors open all the time.” This part of the house is very practical and again, perfect for family life, as the owner explains, “This part of the house is really functional with kitchen, breakfast room and sitting room all open toeach other.Additionally we’ve a boot room, an extensive wine cellar, a good-sized utility, downstairs cloakroom, all with plenty of storage and hanging space, and the back staircase to the first floor. It’s ideal for a family and pets, and with the second staircase, makes for a great game of Hide and Seek!”
Although the front door is used, most of the time, the owners come into the house via the side entrance, as we hear, “We use the side door into the lobby that leads into our cosy sitting room. I love this space; it’s such a contrast with the rest of the house, and really quite a surprise discovery to first time visitors.” With warm oak flooring, and a wood burner it makes for a really cosy room in winter time.
Space and Light
Stepping up to the first floor, you cannot fail to be impressed by the space on offer, and this was the final deciding factor for the owner, as she further explains, “Having several young children, it was important for me that none of them were stuck in a small bedroom, away from the heart of the house. Here all the rooms lead straight out onto the landing, within earshot of our bedroom.” The master suite itself is reallygorgeous, and is the owner’s favourite room in the house, “I am so fondof our bedroom. I love the bay window in the en suite with seat looking out over thegarden; it’s the stuff that fairy tales are made of. And with three windows to let light in, it’s such a bright room.” And its rather special en suite adds to this sense of wonderment, as the owner adds, “The bathroom is really magical too.”
As well as five further bedrooms, the owner has created a rather special ‘media room’, as she explains, This room was a surprise Christmas present to my children when theywere younger. They loved it when they were of an age to entertain their friends and really appreciate the space. It’s a lovely big room and the design was my concept, and one that everyone still loves.” And whether you are part of the family, or visiting friends, you are assured of a good night’s sleep, as we learn, “You are more likely to be disturbed by the owls here than any other sound at night. It’s such a wonderfully quiet house. And if you chose to have a live-in nanny, or wanted a separate space for a family member, there’s plenty of room on the second floor, currently used as our guest suite.
A Garden of Note
The grounds are really breath-taking, and offer all that you could wish for and more. “The terrace and lower garden area are sheltered as they’re surrounded by a wall, and with the sun streaming in to the garden all day long, we’re rarely indoors in the summer.” And what a garden to look out on, as the owner adds, “The garden hasn’t changed much in 100 years, with mature planting and very old trees, you have a real sense of the history of the place, and the joy of seeing the seasons come and go with an abundance of colour and scent.” In terms of further enjoying this extensive outdoorspace, you are spoilt for choice; the lower, more formal garden leads up to a tennis court, which boasts a beautiful pavilion, and on to the owner’s favourite place to dwell, as we hear, “we restored the pavilion to its former glory and it’s a lovely place to look out from, but my favourite spot is sitting and enjoying the natural swimming pond. It’s so serene and quiet and abundant with wildlife. I’ve even spotted a kingfisher.” And if you ever tire of swimming in such a beautiful place but youstill fancy a little exercise, with a paddock ready for horses to graze, and a croquet lawn to reinstate, outbuildings garaging/cart lodge, the options are plentiful. This is a home of dreams, to be sure.
Property Features :
- Stunning Historic Village House
- Set in the Heart of Nayland
- Accommodation Extending to 6664 sqft Plus Outbuildings
- Aga Kitchen Breakfast Room
- Five Fantastic Reception Rooms
Property Info: