Colne Priory is believed to have been built around 1825 and is an imposing architecturally interesting Grade II listed house, built in the Strawberry Hill Gothic style, with red brick elevations in a Flemish bond under a slate and tile roof.

The accommodation is arranged over three floors and the house has been modernised by the current owners with new services and modern additions to this historic house. Whilst the house retains many character features, the house also includes Cat-5 cabling for audio-visual equipment throughout, CCTV, underfloor heating in many areas and a large kitchen/living area as well as a gymnasium with treatment room extension, added in 2010.

The ground floor accommodation in the house flows well and is ideal for every day family life, as well as entertaining. On entering the house through the front vestibule, there is a welcoming staircase hall off which the principal reception rooms lie. This includes the well-proportioned drawing room, sitting room/library and study. There is also a lower ground floor WC and from the inner hall there is access to the dining room, further study and an integrated guest suite with sitting room, bedroom and ensuite bathroom. Steps lead down to a fabulous kitchen/living room with a high vaulted ceiling space ideal for everyday living. This room has a large breakfast bar, central island and La Conche range cooker as well as fully fitted appliances. There is also a small larder. The breakfast and sitting areas enjoy wonderful views across the grounds to the lake and swimming pool. Also on this level is the open gymnasium with doors out to the swimming pool and treatment room, with separate shower room and steam room. To the rear of the house, there is a fabulous billiard room with seating area and wet bar, with doors leading through to the cinema room.

The lower ground floor is principally devoted to a one bedroom flat, comprising a sitting room with kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and utility room. There is also the laundry room and flower room, as well as extensive cellars and stores including a large wine cellar.

A sweeping oak staircase rises from the hall to a half landing where there is a large stained glass window. From the galleried landing, above which there is an ornate ceiling rose, there is the principal bedroom with ensuite bathroom comprising fitted cupboards along with five further bedroom suites. There is also a secondary staircase which leads down to the inner hall.

This property has 23.95 acres of land.

Outside

CHAPEL COTTAGE The former chapel has been converted to a three bedroom cottage with excellent open plan living space on both the ground and first floors. The layout is such that this could be used as two separate apartments or as a whole and lends itself as guest accommodation, for extended family or staff.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS To the rear of the house is an adjoining orangery and potting shed with a carport with covered walkway to the swimming pool terrace. The outdoor swimming pool has an electric cover and also a separate hot tub. A wonderful cloistered covered walkway runs along the side of the house. There is also a sunken decked seating area benefitting from outdoor speakers. Beautiful wide steps lead down to the lawn and to the rear of the pool area there is a circular covered stone built gazebo, with the pool and plant room behind.

The formal gardens are split into different ‘rooms’ including a formal walled garden to the rear of the pool terrace and an orchard garden with pleached limes, fruit cage and an AstroTurf tennis court.

To the side of the house is a large courtyard accessed from the main drive through double electric gates. Within the courtyard buildings there is a triple garage with inspection pit, stores and a workshop, as well as two stables, tack room and groom’s kitchen with shower. Within the grounds, there is a former aircraft hangar with a mezzanine level deck and double height doors for use as storage or as a workshop. An adjoining range of modern barns provide storage for garden equipment and machinery. There is also a separate octagonal function room/car museum extending to around 2,000 sq. ft, ideal for storage, entertaining or events.

Within the gardens and grounds, there is a large lawn area protected by yew hedging and mature trees leading down to the lake, with a decked platform for swimming, as well as a wooden gazebo. The outline of the remains of the extent of The Priory can be seen within the extended lawn areas of the garden and beyond there is a post and railpaddock, along with a field shelter for horses, a 50m x 25m newly built manège and mature woodland, all on the banks of the River Colne.

Situation

Earls Colne is located in one of the most sought after and picturesque areas of the Colne Valley. The village is named after the Earls of Oxford and the River Colne which flows along the boundary of Colne Priory. St Andrew’s Church dates from the 14th century and there are many houses which were built in the 17th and 18th centuries.

There are a selection of shops in the village with a more extensive range of shops and amenities found in Colchester, about 20 minutes drive away. There are a wide range of popular restaurants in the village and surrounding area.

Schools - Colchester has the nationally high ranking Colchester Royal Grammar Schooland Colchester County High School for Girls. Holmwood House Preparatory School is around 20 minutes drive away.

Golf - There are a number of golf clubs and country clubs in the area with two golf courses in the village of Earls Colne.

Trains - A train service runs from Chappel & Wakes Colne with trains to London Liverpool Street, with one change at Marks Tey, taking from 1 hour 5 minutes.

Road access - Colne Priory is around 15 minutes drive from the A12 London/east coast road.

Airport - Colne Priory is around 35 minutes drive from Stansted Airport and the M11.