Weald Road, Brentwood, Essex, CM14

Set behind wrought-iron gates within a 35-acre estate, Hou Hatch occupies an elevated position overlooking its own gardens, lake and rolling parkland. Located in South Weald, just a few miles from Brentwood, it offers a rare sense of seclusion while remaining within easy reach of the A12, M25 and direct rail links into central London.

The south-facing main house is Grade II listed and dates back to the early 1700s, with beautifully preserved proportions and a quietly commanding presence. Inside, the accommodation unfolds across a series of elegant reception rooms and seven bedrooms, where classic detailing, soaring ceilings and tall sash windows bring a sense of light and stature throughout. There is a warmth to the interiors that tempers their architectural formality, from the sweeping staircase to the generous kitchen and dining spaces, making the house feel as suited to everyday family life as it is to larger-scale entertaining.

The ancillary buildings are unusually comprehensive. Attached to the main house is a 50-foot indoor swimming pool, creating a striking leisure wing that links the principal residence to two self-contained two-bedroom cottages. Whether used for guests, staff, multigenerational living or ancillary income, they add genuine flexibility to the estate. There is also a double garage, vaulted cellar plant rooms, an eight-door carriage shed and three Victorian stables with loft storage above. In all, the estate offers approximately 19,315 sq ft of internal space across the house, cottages and outbuildings.

The grounds are a defining part of Hou Hatch's appeal. Formal gardens have been laid out with real romance and structure, with pergolas, a beech hedge maze, an 18th-century walled garden and a central natural pond, alongside a traditional greenhouse and potting area. Beyond, the landscape opens into wider parkland with a substantial fishing lake, additional ponds and a rich canopy of mature trees, including ancient oaks. There is also a tennis court with a thatched pavilion dating from 1939.

For buyers with equestrian or land-based interests, the estate is particularly compelling. A registered agricultural field of around 20 acres sits alongside a large barn, five further stables, paddocks and a floodlit ménage designed for carriage driving and training.

Despite its rural atmosphere, the setting is practical as well as picturesque. South Weald is known for its village character, historic church and highly regarded primary school, while nearby Brentwood provides an excellent selection of shops, restaurants and everyday amenities. Weald Country Park, with its ancient woodland, lakes and bridleways, lies directly across the byway, and rail services from Upminster, Shenfield and Brentwood provide swift access into London, including the City, the West End and Heathrow via the Elizabeth line.

London's major airports are also within convenient reach, with Heathrow and Gatwick approximately an hour's drive away, London City around 40 minutes, and Stansted approximately 30 minutes.