Lodge Road, Writtle, CM1

A magnificent former Georgian Vicarage in excellent condition both internally and externally offering almost 6000 sq ft of modern family living space over three floors, retaining the features you would expect including high ceilings, generous sash window and part walled formal grounds, seven bedrooms, six receptions, garaging. Walking distance to the village. Grade II listed. EPC exempt

THE PROPERTY

The property is in excellent condition both internally and externally offering almost 6,000 square feet of family living space over three floors. Although the house retains all the period features you would expect, including deep sash windows with original shutters, solid wood flooring and high ceilings, it also now offers a lovely flow of modern living space within the Georgian frame. To the front of the property, looking out to the east are the two principal receptions both benefiting from wooden flooring, open fireplaces and views onto the front gardens and pond. They also enjoy stunning arched bays flooding each reception with natural light via their dual aspects. The dining room gives access into the adjoining dual aspect kitchen breakfast room with views of the walled garden to the west and double doors within a stunning glazed bay opening to the south. Striking Fired Earth flooring is complemented by copper work surfaces with further Fired Earth tiling above. The central Island has a continuation of the copper above a breakfast bar and inset electric Aga. There is an exposed brick Inglenook with inset wood burning stove behind an extensive seating area beyond the breakfast bar. The sitting room is located behind the drawing room, boasting three large sash windows, beautiful fireplace and access into the inner hallway which also houses the second stairwell to the first-floor bedrooms. Beyond the inner hall, the utility room, ground floor cloakroom and substantial games room are located within the west wing of the house. The ground floor accommodation is bisected by the stunning central hallway with solid wood flooring extending the entirety of the house to the rear garden, also providing a second ground floor cloakroom, access into the expansive cellar / basement and the impressive turning Georgian stairwell with Crucial Trading carpet rising to the half landing with full length picture window, rising up to the first-floor bedrooms. Of note, is the principal bedroom to the east wing with a lovely dual aspect onto the front and side gardens, feature fireplace, walk through dressing room and beautiful adjoining, Fired Earth Jack and Jill ensuite bathroom with roll top bath and separate shower.
Bedroom two is also located to the east wing of the house looking onto the front via two sash windows, also benefiting from a lovely Fired Earth ensuite shower room. Bedroom three is located to the west wing of the house and enjoys its own dressing room and Fired Earth shower room. It is important to note that this section of the first floor is accessed via the previously mentioned inner hallway stairwell and could become self-contained if required. Bedroom four is also ensuite, sharing the shower room with bedroom three, bedrooms 5 and 6 share the family bathroom. A third stairwell leads up to the second floor which is currently utilised as a fantastic games room /music room with bar area. There is a separate double bedroom on this level with its own substantial bathroom providing a roll top bath and separate double length shower and a separate cinema room. The game's room is split between the central fireplace and benefits from Amtico flooring and open studwork. These two areas were previously utilised as double bedrooms.

EXTERNALLY

The house sits towards the rear of its one acre plot against the backdrop of Writtle church. A 70m long drive leads to the front of the house via electric gates onto a large gravel sweeping driveway providing substantial parking and access to the detached garaging and garden stores which are tucked discreetly behind a bank of trees and shrubs. Wide steps lead down onto the formal lawns which fall away from the house and towards the beautiful spring-fed pond, which is a haven for wildlife. In the far corner is a ‘secret’ folly set against the beautiful old red brick wall running along the west boundary and flanked by deep herbaceous borders providing a mass of colour in spring and summer. A five bar gate to one side of the house provides access to a sheltered rear garden, a summer house and a wood store while the large flagstone terrace running across the back of the house and the kitchen leads onto another lawn which continues all the way around to the other side of the house which also enjoys an exclusive right of way into the churchyard, enabling you to cut through to the village green.

LOCATION

The Old Vicarage occupies a very secluded position at the end of a tree-lined drive at the heart of Writtle Village, just 2.5 miles west of Chelmsford. The City provides an excellent choice of amenities including a bustling shopping centre, three superb prep schools, two outstanding grammar schools, a well-known independent school (New Hall), a main line station into London Liverpool Street and access onto the A12, while the renowned Felsted School is only 12 miles to the north east and Stansted airport 19 miles to the north west.

Writtle has been described as “one of the loveliest villages in England” and boasts a picturesque village green with duck pond and a Norman Church. There is an excellent choice of shops including a post office, a butcher’s shop, a delicatessen, a supermarket and a number of highly regarded restaurants and pubs. It has a pre-school, a primary school and a senior school.