Fordham Road, Wormingford, Colchester, Essex, CO6

Offering secluded grounds, welcome to Rochfords, a majestic Grade II* listed manor house steeped in centuries of character, set within approximately 2.25 acres of partly moated, landscaped grounds. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a property of real distinction.

The house’s name derives from Roger de Rocheford, 13th-century resident on the site. Other prominent owners include 18th-century textile industrialists the Everards and the eminent Modernist architect H. T. (Jim) Cadbury-Brown. The property benefits from a recent extension on the ground floor offering open plan living, underfloor heating and expansive kitchen looking onto a historic apple and pear orchard. The current owners have also meticulously re-decorated the interiors and newly installed an en-suite. The property is heated by a smart-controlled sustainable Heat Pump system that draws warmth from the swimming lake to the south of the property. With leading schools in Ipswich and Colchester and a 48-minute London commuter train nearby, Rochfords has much to offer a busy 21st-century family.

Accommodation

Ground floor

The elegant façade has Georgian styling: six panel central front door with fanlight, fluted pilasters, entablature with triglyphs and dentils, and sash windows on either side. Once inside you encounter a magnificent dining hall set with striking roll-moulded joists and an inglenook fireplace with a cast iron wood burner. This sets the tone for the rest of the house, with its generous proportions, high ceiling, fine exposed timbers and oak floorboards. The principal reception rooms are positioned either side of the dining hall, including the drawing room featuring dual-aspect windows, Georgian style fire surround and herringbone wood flooring. The sitting room/office has a superb stone fireplace as well as a butler's pantry connecting through to the farmhouse kitchen/breakfast room. The 18th-century study/snug adjoins as well as a further pantry and utility room. An inner hallway gives way to the rear extension comprising of a partly vaulted and sun-filled open plan living space with second kitchen. There are two ground floor W/Cs. Access to the cellar is gained via the butler’s pantry.

First floor

Ascending the principal staircase a characterful landing gives way to all of the six/seven bedrooms. To the front, bedroom one is complemented with a recently installed en-suite bathroom with shower. Bedrooms two, three, four and five are serviced by a large family bathroom with shower. The rear wing comprises of a twin bedroom, store room and bathroom (which is need of refurbishment). This collection of rooms would lend itself to a principal suite. With an independent staircase serving the rear bedrooms, associated bathroom and separate kitchen in the modern extension, this property is fully suitable for multiple families or multi-generational living.

Outside

The property is set far back from the road and sits within grounds of about 2.25 acres. Accessed via a 5 bar iron gate set in brick pillars, a gravelled driveway sweeps along the front lawn to a turning circle in front of the house with a central rose bed. This also gives access to the 4 bay garage which has a studio/office/gym above. There is also a traditional outbuilding incorporating 2 former stables now providing garden storage, as well as fast EV charging.

The expanse of lawn to the front is bordered by a variety of trees and culminates in a small boating lake and recently dredged moat which provides a wonderful feature.

There is a south facing terrace to the rear of the house ideal for alfresco dining. A wildflower meadow beyond the lake is a haven for wildlife and would be suitable for a free range chicken run. There is a fenced orchard incorporating apple, pear and plum trees as well as a kitchen garden. Well stocked flower beds are planted with a variety of typical English country garden flowers such as roses, lavender, jasmine and wisteria and trees include beech, oaks, walnut, fig, willow and horse chestnut.

What’s Nearby

Rochfords sits on the Suffolk-Essex border in the parish of Wormingford, once home of iconic country writer Ronald Blythe and landscape painter John Nash. The village was believed to be the location where Saint George famously slayed the dragon and a mound close to the Church is reputed to cover the dragon's body. With the hedgerows and wildflower meadows of the Dedham Vale National Landscape less than a mile away, this is a sought after location popular with daily commuters and those needing easy access to the highly regarded schools in Colchester. Village amenities include a pub/restaurant 'The Crown', a popular farm shop and St Andrews Church. The nearby village of Fordham is home to a well-attended church and the Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Three Horseshoes restaurant, as well as a primary school and a village hall. There is a riding school with stabling at Fletchers Farm.

Within Easy Reach

Colchester and Marks Tey train stations are about 5 miles with fastest trains to Liverpool Street taking from 48 minutes. Picturesque Nayland is about 5 miles, and Stoke by Nayland with its popular restaurants, golf club and gym is about 6 miles. Nearby Sudbury (about 8 miles) and Bures (about 3 miles) provide further day to day amenities and leisure options such as wild swimming.