Town Centre, Maldon

Friary West is an impressive three storey Georgian residence built as the successor to a Tudor house erected on the site of the former Carmelite Friary dating back to the 13th century. Located in the heart of Maldon’s bustling town centre and hidden in plain sight, the property occupies an unexpected plot of approximately half an acre with far reaching views over the river Blackwater.

Commissioned in 1803 by a local surgeon with red and grey brick in a grand style of the Georgian era the property retains much of it original character. The original front façade of the property which would have been approached via a long sweeping drive way from the southerly aspect is now at the rear keeping the grandest aspect private. The accommodation, which spans four floors including large cellars, approaches 4471sqft. A recent extension was built by the current owners to put in place a striking new office / studio and utility room. This bright and spacious vaulted room showcases beautiful arched French windows that lead out to private rear terrace. The rest of the ground floor feature 15ft tall ceilings and period mouldings, in brief comprises of a capacious games room and kitchen breakfast room with a further set of French doors to the rear terracing and garden interlinked via an attractive entrance hallway and inner hallway. A rear hallway, currently used as an office space leads to the original grand front door with ornate portico.

A returning staircase leads to a wide landing for access to the principal bedroom suite and first floor sitting room. With rear and side aspects the sitting room enjoys elevated views over the rear garden through original sash windows with shutters. The principal suite features an ornate cast iron fireplace with marble surround, sash window, a walk in dressing room with roller stepladder and an en-suite.

The second floor houses three further bedroom each enjoying elevated panoramic views. A kitchen / sitting room and adjacent bathroom offers versatility for multi-generational use as a potential separate apartment.

There is a comprehensive cellar beneath the house offering recreational space and storage including a wine cellar. A foundation brick inscribed with 1803 documents the provenance of the building.

Friary West is built on the site of the former Carmelite priory. At the time of the crusades in Palestine, hermits, who lived on the slopes of Mount Carmel banded together and formed The Carmelite Order. Members came from many lands and many returned to their original countries. By the end of the thirteenth century, some thirty Carmelite priories were set up all over England including Maldon priory which existed for 245 years. After the dissolution of the monasteries, all religious buildings belonged to the crown. Much of the buildings and land of the priory were then leased to wealthy land owners as well as the borough who used the land and buildings for assemblies. In 1570, the son of a leaseholder who had passed away bought the renamed “Friars” from sir Thomas Mildmay who had acquired it. He then erected a fine Elizabethan mansion which stayed in situ until 1802 when the property was split up and sold. The main house was demolished and rebuilt as a square Georgian house that to this day is used by Essex County Council. The western area was sold to a Mr B Baker who built a new house in the same style a year later. It is now comprising two properties, The Friary and Friary West.

Access to the property is via White Horse lane which also accesses the back of Maldon High Street with its many independent shops, restaurants and bars. Hidden in plain sight behind a barn and tall trees, the property is approached via a large shingle driveway which provides parking for numerous vehicles.

The rear garden with two sun terraces is mainly laid to lawn and bordered by a red brick wall and hedging offering a high degree of privacy. The pond at the end of the garden, is believed to date back to the Priory where it would have been stocked with carp for the Friars.