Gate House Farmhouse is a handsome and substantial detached Grade II listed period property, set in the small Essex village of Birch.

With white rendered elevations to the front, and weather-boarded façades to the rear, the property is set in a delightful garden along with outbuildings, including a barn and stables. Inside, the accommodation could benefit from some modernisation, but features wellproportioned reception rooms and flexible, comfortable living space. There are several attractive period features, including exposed timber beams and original fireplaces. The ground floor has a 22ft drawing room with an imposing brick-built fireplace, a sitting room and a study as well as a 24ft kitchen and dining room, partially divided by vertical beams and featuring plenty of space for a family dining table.

The first floor has five double bedrooms, including one with a walk-in wardrobe. The principal bedroom has an adjacent dressing room and en suite shower room, while the first floor also has the family bathroom, with an overbath shower.

This property has 0.79 acres of land.

Outside

To the front of the property, a five-bar wooden gate opens onto a large gravel driveway, with plenty of parking and turning space for several vehicles. The front garden has an area of lawn and well-trimmed hedgerows. To the side of the house there is a brick-built barn, which could be used as a garage or workshop space, or converted subject to the necessary consents. There is also a stable block with two stables and a tack room. The rear garden has an area of rolling lawn and a variety of mature shrubs, established hedgerow and trees.

Situation

The property is located in the heart of the small, rural village of Birch, surrounded by miles of beautiful rolling Essex countryside. The village has a parish church and a primary school, while neighbouring Birch Green has a local pub.

The historic city of Colchester is just five miles away, with its excellent selection of shops, supermarkets and leisure facilities, as well as a number of excellent schools, including the independent Holmwood House School and St. Mary’s School for Girls, as well as the outstanding-rated Colchester County High School for Girls. The area is easily accessible by road, with the A12 just three miles away, while mainline rail services to London Liverpool Street can be accessed at Marks Tey (56 minutes).

Directions

From Chelmsford, take the A12 north towards Colchester and leave at junction 25. At the roundabout, take the third exit onto the A120 and at the following roundabout, take the first exit onto the B1408/London Road. After half a mile, turn right onto School Road. After two and three quarter miles, continue straight on at the crossroads, onto Lower Road, then turn right onto School Hill where the property will be on the right-hand side