Rivenhall Place (Whole), Rivenhall, Witham, Essex

Listed Grade II* being of architectural and historic interest, Rivenhall Place has Tudor origins clearly seen in the magnificent chimneys. The house has evolved over the years, most notably in the 18th Century alterations advised by Humphry Repton creating the near perfect symmetry of the white stuccoed front elevation.

Internally the house combines elegant, light and spacious reception rooms with comfortable bedroom accommodation on the first and second floors. In recent years the house has undergone an extensive refurbishment programme including a new bespoke kitchen by Yeo Deign with a unique sculpted style and clean lines and full-length sash windows opening onto the south facing garden terrace. The Great Hall with its striking sense of light and space as you enter the house has double doors opening into the beautifully proportioned drawing room which itself is centred on a magnificent hand carved fireplace with a woodburning stove.

The house is a very manageable family home combining today’s modern living standards with a deep sense of history. The ground floor reception areas have a comfortable flow whilst each of the principal bedrooms on the first floor enjoy very special views over the Repton landscape.
Adjoining the principal house is the three bedroom cottage which is currently let on Air BnB providing a useful income but could readily be incorporated into the house to give additional accommodation.

Outside
The gardens and grounds provide a tranquil yet mature setting for the house. Designed by the pre-eminent landscape architect Sir Humphry Repton with more recent embellishments. To the south a paved terrace is shaded by a magnificent Cedar of Lebanon and enjoys views over the formal gardens and lawns sweeping gently down to the first of the two lakes. Concealed by mature yew hedges is the swimming pool with separate Jacuzzi and well fitted pool house.

There are a useful range of outbuildings including the coach house, machinery barn and various store rooms. A productive vegetable garden and soft fruit garden lies to the north of the house, beyond which is an all-weather tennis court.

The reputation and romance of Rivenhall Place lies in Repton’s beautiful mature parkland studded with a selection of specimen trees. The south drive winds gracefully through the park over the triple arched bridge culminating in a gravelled parking and turning area.

In all about 12.73 acres

Lot 2 – West Lake and paddock land, about 11.60 acres (coloured green on the site plan)

Lying due south of the house West Lake comprises about 1.87 acres with a central island which is a haven for wildlife particularly in the spring and early summer months. The lake is served by an attractive stream flowing from the north and adjoining are two gently sloping paddocks, each well fenced and ideal for grazing. Access will be over the south drive.

Lot 3 – East Lake, paddock and mature woodland, about 9.07 acres in total (coloured blue on the site plan)

Positioned to the east of the main drive, East Lake comprises 3.7 acres in total and is protected by a bank of mature trees to the north. The lake flows in an easterly direction and exits over a weir on the eastern boundary. To the south is a gently sloping paddock of 4.29 acres and a belt of mature woodland.

Lot 4 – Parkland and Woodland, about 12.53 acres in total (coloured yellow on the attached plan)

Situated due east of the principal house and separated by a belt of mature Poplar trees, the Parkland was designed by Humphry Repton and is further sheltered by banks of trees on the south and east sides. Access to this lot will be over the north drive.

Rivenhall Place lies in the heart of 46 acres of mature rolling parkland designed by Sir Humphry Repton overlooking the twin lakes. Local amenities are available within one mile at Silver End where there is a doctors surgery, pharmacy, library, post office and small supermarket whilst nearby Witham, just three miles south offers a shopping centre and choice of supermarkets. More comprehensive facilities are to be found in Chelmsford and Colchester both 12 miles distant where there is a choice of shopping in each town including a Waitrose and Sainsburys.

Fast and frequent trains leave Witham reaching London Liverpool Street in about 44 minutes whilst the A12 is within three miles linking directly with the M25 and national motorway network. National and international flights are available from Stansted which is 20.5 miles away.

There is a broad and highly regarded selection of schools in the district, including Felsted, New Hall (Chelmsford), St Mary’s and Holmwood Hall in Colchester. There are strongly performing Grammar Schools in both Chelmsford and Colchester.

The district offers a variety of recreational facilities including local golf courses at Braxted Park, Braintree Golf Club at Stisted, Burton Hall Golf and Country Club at Wickham Bishops and nearby Rivenhall Oaks Golf Club. There are a selection of marinas and sailing clubs notably at West Mersea and Tollesbury, whilst there is excellent walking and riding opportunities in the surrounding countryside.