Stokes Hall, Althorne, Chelmsford, Essex

A breathtaking country house with exceptional interiors and specification set in about 44 acres with stunning views over the River Crouch valley.

Situation
Stokes Hall sits in a commanding, elevated position overlooking its own land and beyond across the Crouch Valley. The Crouch Valley is a renowned English wine region, now comprising more than 10 vineyards, including Crouch Ridge Vineyard and Clayhill Vineyard.

About 2 miles from Stokes Hall sits the riverside town of Burnham-on-Crouch, with an attractive quayside full of charming listed buildings and sailing clubs, renowned as a yachting centre. The town has several pubs, restaurants and hotels, as well as a golf club, kayak club, and an equestrian centre.

The village of Althorne is just a mile away, with a pub, tearoom, St Andrew’s Church, and a train station from which London Liverpool Street is less than 45 minutes away.
Further afield, the city of Chelmsford provides comprehensive shopping, recreational and leisure facilities including the new 'Bond Street' area with a range of restaurants, John Lewis and independent cinema. There are also rail links directly to London Liverpool Street via the mainline station (approximately 32 minutes).
The area has a range of high-quality schools in the private and public sector, including Maldon Court Preparatory School, Elm Green Preparatory School, Heathcote Preparatory School, Brentwood School, and Felsted School.

Stokes Hall
Stokes Hall is a modern country house of quite outstanding merit with privacy, stunning grounds and far-reaching unspoiled views down to the River Crouch and the surrounding countryside. The principal house has been designed to a remarkable standard and is immaculate throughout. The design elements are exceptional, and the layout has been created with a rare attention to detail producing a house that is perfect for luxurious family living whilst offering incredible spaces for leisure and opulent entertaining.

Specification
Stokes Hall was completed in 2014 after seven years of carefully considered construction and development, creating a rare country house of the utmost quality. There are various bespoke elements to the house, including but not limited to, hand-cut British stone, bricks handmade in the UK, hand-cut Welsh slate on the roof, handmade windows, cast-iron downpipes, and handmade carved panelling by Arthur Brett. The house also has Lutron lighting, an AV Control4 system and security throughout, as well as air conditioning in most rooms.

Generally, World Class quality finishes Design, in immaculate condition
Architect- CRM Architects
Interior Designers - Erik Karlson & Chris Melvin
Structure - Handmade bricks, Welsh roof slates, cast iron rainwater goods, superior leadwork, handmade windows & joinery

Internal
• Bespoke marble & stone finishes to walls & floors
• Handmade fabric walls
• Hand-carved joinery in study and hall
• Bespoke ceiling cornices
• Double-cantilevered staircase with walnut treads & handmade balustrading
• Bespoke hand-laid timber floorings
• Purpose-made kitchen & bathroom joinery
• Hand painted murals
• Bespoke marble & timber Baths
• Axor Showers
• Heated Glass to ‘Wet Areas’
• Lutron lighting throughout
• Control 4 AV system throughout
• Built in ceiling speakers and hidden speakers behind walls
• Dropdown tv in principal bedroom, hidden tv in kitchen behind etched artwork and cinema room with projector and automated drop down screen and blinds
• BMS heating controls and underfloor heating throughout
• Airconditioning to ground floor, principal bedroom suite and 2 further bedrooms plus bar/seating area, snooker room and gym on basement floor
• Airconditioned wine cellar
• Excellent security systems with comprehensive internal detection systems, monitored CCTV, panic room/floor and external perimeter beams. Keypad & video intercom system for both gates via control 4
• Aspiration system for fire detection and Remote monitoring for intruder and fire alarms

The Accommodation
Stokes Hall is accessed through large, electric gates off Burnham Road. There is a long sweeping tree-lined drive, more widely bordered by woodland, through which it curves to arrive at the spacious parking and turning area in front of the house.

On entering Stokes Hall, you are brought directly into the main reception hall with a spectacular double-flight cantilever staircase leading to the first floor galleried landing. Off the hall are the generously-sized principal reception rooms, perfectly situated and with some exceptional views. The large drawing room has double doors out to the terrace and splendid Chesney fireplaces at each end of this elegant room. There is a splendid dining room, large sitting room with cinema installation, study and morning room. The extensive contemporary kitchen features a vast island with Italian marble worktop incorporating built in hob and teppanyaki whilst Gagganau & Miele kitchen appliances are cleverly hidden behind folding cupboard doors. The kitchen opens into an eye-catching orangery where fully opening bi-fold walls on two elevations open the house out to the large garden terrace with its spectacular views. Completing this wing of the house is a second orangery serving as a less formal dining space plus a pantry, boot room, storeroom and WC.

On the first floor, the exceptional principal bedroom suite comprises two separate bath/shower rooms plus three dressing rooms and an impressive south-facing balcony with incredible views. There are a further three large en-suite double bedrooms, a double bedroom, and a family bathroom, as well as a kitchenette and linen cupboard at this level.

The second floor includes a further four double bedrooms served by two shower rooms. At either end of the second floor are self-contained studio flats with living room, kitchenettes and private bathrooms, perfect for guests or staff. The entire second floor has the ability to convert into a panic room.

The basement comprises a state-of-the-art leisure complex. At the heart of this is the incredible indoor swimming pool (dimensions approx. 15m x 6m and depth from 1.1m to 1.9m). The pool has extensive perimeter relaxation spaces and a recessed area features a beautiful hot tub. There is a gym and well-appointed changing/shower rooms. An entertaining area includes a seating area with bar plus a walk-in temperature-controlled wine cellar. Adjacent to hear is the snooker room. There is also a large laundry room, plant room and store with service access to the outside.

Gardens and Grounds
The house sits in over 4 acres of beautifully manicured gardens, with a pond and expansive lawn. The front garden has distinctive estate fencing providing an enclosed garden area. A formal garden with herbaceous borders and topiary sits to the side of the house and provides sheltered entertaining areas, as well as the extensive south-facing terrace off the back of the house, with exceptional views of the river. Beyond here are extensive lawns to a ha-ha, whilst the remainder of the grounds comprise strategically planted woodland and grazing land. Off the main drive, but with separate access from a secondary drive, is a four bay garage with a modern one-bedroom flat above.

General Remarks and Stipulations
Services: Mains water, gas heating, electricity with a backup generator and borehole with private drainage. Excellent security arrangements.
Fixtures and Fittings: All fixtures, fittings and chattels, whether referred to or not, are specifically excluded from the sale, including carpets, curtains, light fittings, free standing domestic and electric items, garden machinery and agricultural machinery. Much of the furniture and other contents of the house are available by separate negotiation.

Planning
There is planning permission for significant extension of Stokes Hall. Further information on request.
Tenure: The property is offered for sale freehold. Additional residential properties, farmland and farmstead may be available separately.
Easements, Wayleaves and Rights of Way: The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all rights of way either public or private, all easements, wayleaves and other rights of way whether they are specifically referred to or not.

Sporting, Timber and Mineral Rights
The sporting, timber and mineral rights as far as they are owned are included in the freehold sale.

Plans, Areas and Schedules
These are based on the Ordnance Survey and are for reference only. They have been checked and completed by the Vendor’s agents and the purchaser will be deemed to satisfy themselves as to the description of the property. Any error or misstatement shall not annul the sale nor entitle either party to compensation in respect thereof.

Local Authority
Maldon District Council

Postcode: CM3 6DS

What 3 Words: About.roofs.supported

Viewings: All viewings are strictly by appointment.