6 bedroom detached house for sale

The property was Constructed circa 1902 by the notable Arts & Crafts architect A H Mackmurdo, Beacons is a Grade II listed six bedroom country house in grounds of 3.9 acres with far reaching views of the Blackwater Estuary. There is also a detached annex. No onward chain.

The property was Constructed circa 1902 by the notable Arts & Crafts architect A H Mackmurdo, Beacons is a Grade II listed six bedroom country house in grounds of 3.9 acres.

An entrance porch with cloakroom leads to an impressive reception hall with an elegant staircase ascending the first floor. To the right, a spacious drawing room incorporates a fireplace, and has superb views across the lawns to the front and rear. A side door leads to a garden room, presently used as a gymnasium, and wooden flooring continues through to the dining room. This presently houses a snooker table and has a feature bay window with side lights and exposed painted beams to the ceiling.

The kitchen/breakfast room is well fitted with a range of bespoke full height and base units, and incorporates built in appliances including an Everhot. A central island provides further storage and a breakfast bar. To the side aspect a door takes you to the boot room with stairs down to the storage cellar, a second staircase and the utility room. Beyond, an external courtyard has a gardeners cloakroom and stairs down to the external boiler room.

The first floor has the principal bedroom, four further double bedrooms, one with a roof terrace, one of which can be used independently and four bathrooms.

From the landing a door disguises stairs leading
to the second floor and a hobby room, landing
and attic storage. A ladder on the landing takes you to the Cupola and views across the countryside. Another landing on the first floor
has stairs leading to the sixth bedroom and more attic storage.

History
Beacons was designed by Arthur Heygate Mackmurdo (1851-1942), a leading figure in the Arts and Crafts movement. Mackmurdo developed his artistic talent with Ruskin at Oxford and by associating with and being influenced by the likes of Spencer and William Morris.

He was a progressive (Pevsner described him as a pioneer designer) rather than a prolific architect. As well as a celebrated architect he designed furniture and wallpaper and there is a display of his works in the William Morris gallery in London. He founded the Century Guild, an influential group which bridges the medievalism of Morris and contemporaries and art nouveau and modernism. At the turn of the century he settled in Essex and built Beacons (1902-1903) and other properties on Beacon Hill including Great Ruffins. He lived on Beacon Hill until his death aged 91.

The property can be approached via two separate drives. The entrance to the first is located at the south eastern corner in which you can take in far reaching views over the Blackwater Estuary and brings you along the side of the extensive lawns to the west of the main house arriving at the front. The second drive is located off Tiptree Road and lies adjacent to the garage block, also arriving at the front aspect providing ample parking. The well-established grounds extend to 3.9 acres and are mainly lawned with a good range of mature trees to both aspects. Immediately adjacent to the rear of the property is an expansive terrace with tended borders and steps down onto the lawns. Within the ground is a heated swimming pool and pool house and an all-weather tennis court. The garage block offers ample parking/workshop facilities and a first floor studio. South of the garage is a single storey cottage with bedroom, bathroom and large kitchen/living room. Ideal accommodation for dependants.

General
Local Authority: Maldon District Council
Services: Mains water, electricity and drainage. Oil fired central heating.
Council Tax: H
Tenure: Freehold

Wickham Bishop's is a highly regarded village, sought after by those commuting into the City. The village has excellent amenities which include a Convenience Store, Hairdressers, Health Food Shop and two Public Houses. Leisure facilities include local tennis courts and sports fields, and for those looking slightly further afield there is Forester Park and Country Club and Benton Hall Golf and Country Club. Excellent travel facilities include the main line railway station from Witham and the road connection to the A12. The larger towns of Chelmsford City and Colchester lie nine miles south west and 12 miles north east respectively, offering comprehensive shopping, commercial and entertainment facilities. Conveniently situated between Colchester and Chelmsford Wickham Bishops offers much sought after private schooling and excellent grammar schooling; in addition the popular Primary School in the nearby village of Great Totham is within easy walking distance